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QUETTA: Balochistan is moving towards progress and prosperity and its people are hopeful about a bright future, says Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri.
Speaking at a seminar here on Monday, he said the provincial government was serious about development of the youth and all possible measures were being taken for the purpose.
The seminar, organised on the topic of Balochistan Comprehensive Development Plan, was also addressed by Commander of Southern Command Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz, Speaker of Balochistan Assembly Raheela Durrani, Leader of the Opposition Maulana Abdul Wasey, provincial ministers, Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattah, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Nasibullah Bazai and Secretary Finance Akbar Durrani.
Mr Zehri said new opportunities of education were being created for the youth both in Pakistan and abroad. “An educated Balochistan is our dream.” The youth would have to take over the reins of the province in future, therefore, the government was taking all possible steps for creating better education opportunities for them, he added.
He said his government had initiated a journey of development for Balochistan and would take it to its logical end. “We are with good intentions and we will honestly use resources of the province for the betterment of the masses,” he added.
The chief minister said despite lack of financial resources the provincial government was trying to present a good budget with great focus on health and education sectors. “Education is the mainstay of the current government.”
Mr Zehri said his family had rendered tremendous sacrifices for the establishment of peace in Balochistan, adding that he himself survived attempts on his life.
He said his government was successful in restoring law and order in about 95 per cent area of Balochistan which had paved the way for sustainable development. He praised efforts of security forces, including Pakistan Army, for improving the security situation in the province.
Lt Gen Riaz said mega projects of Gwadar Port and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would open the doors of trade and business opportunities for the people of Balochistan.
He said Pakistan Army supported measures being taken for restoration of peace in Balochistan. “The enemies of Pakistan will not be allowed to implement their nefarious designs in Balochistan,” he said, adding that anyone found involved in terrorism would be dealt with an iron hand.
He said the people of Balochistan were loyal to Pakistan and they loved their country. He said Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif wanted to see Balochistan a peaceful and economically thriving province.
Lauding suggestions presented in the seminar for the next budget of Balochistan, he said the army would fully cooperate with the provincial government in obtaining goals of development.
All Parties Qaumi Jirga
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Zehri said that enemies of Pakistan were trying to create problems for the country by promoting criminal gangs which were involved in heinous crimes, such as kidnapping for ransom.
He was talking to members of All Parties Qaumi Jirga Pishin and a delegation from Chaman.
Provincial ministers Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal and Sardar Aslam Bezinjo, Chief Secretary of Balochistan Saifullah Chattah, Inspector General of Balochistan Police Ahsan Mehboob, MPA Syed Liaquat Ali Agha and senior officials were present on the occasion.
The chief minister said the government was making sincere efforts for the recovery of Asad Khan Tareen, the kidnapped son of Balochistan’s Minister for Local Government Sardar Mustafa Khan Tareen.
Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2016
