QUETTA: The Balo­chistan government has exempted Gwadar Free Zone from provincial taxes for five years and decided to set up special economic zones and new industrial estates in the province.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the cabinet on Friday.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, provincial government spokesman Liaquat Ali Shahwani said a detailed discussion was held on the Reko Diq case and the government’s moves in this regard. He said the cabinet had decided to develop mineral resources of Balochistan.

The cabinet also decided to set up a modern laboratory to analyse minerals.

“Despite having precious natural resources, the province lacks this important facility and depends on laboratories of other provinces for this purpose,” Mr Shahwani said.

He added that in order to provide better health facilities, improve the performance of doctors and paramedical staff and stop strikes in the health department and government-run hospitals, the cabinet approved the Balochistan Essential Health Services Bill, 2019, which would be tabled in the next session of the Balochistan Assembly for approval.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2019