QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has fixed Feb 15 as deadline for the release of funds for development projects envisaged in the Annual Deve­lop­ment Programme (ADP).

Presiding over a meeting on Wednesday, he directed the Planning and Develop­ment Department, Finance Department and Commu­nications and Works Depart­ment to ensure release of 100 per cent of funds by Feb 15. He also instructed the concerned secretaries and officials to complete the ongoing development work on a war footing.

Finance Secretary Rohail Baloch said that the Finance Department was facing the scarcity of funds because of, at source income tax deduction. This, he said, was hampering the timely completion of uplift schemes and putting burden on the province.

Instructs officials to complete ongoing uplift projects on war footing

Meanwhile, the chief min­ister said that he would take up the issue with the federal government. He also hinted at taking on board senators and MNAs on issues of Balochistan.

Mr Bizenjo assured the JUI-F delegation headed by Malik Sikandar Advocate that joint efforts would be made to resolve the issue faced by the province.

Later, he held a meeting with Inspector General Police Balochistan Moazzam Jah Ansari and called for durable peace and security of life and property in the province. The police chief briefed him about the law and order on which Mr Bizenjo praised the sacrifices and services of police. He said that there was a lot of improvement in law and order situation and hoped the security forces, mainly police force, would win the fight against terrorism which in turn would attract investment on large scale.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2018