QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani has said that his government is taking measures to uplift the capacity of Levies force.

Inaugurating the Levies Force Directorate here on Thursday, he regretted that unfortunately previous governments didn’t take any step to strengthen the Levies force which had been maintaining law and order in major parts of the province.

The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the performance of Levies and said the people in remote areas of Balochis­tan trusted it. “Our government has increased funds for Levies in order to enhance its capabilities.”

Mr Alyani praised Levies for setting up anti-terrorist, investigation, intelligence and bomb disposal units and directed Levies officials to ensure recruitment in the force on merit.

He laid a wreath at Yadgar-i-Shuhada inside the Levies Directorate.

Provincial ministers Zia Langove, Naseebullah Marri, Zahoor Buledi and Abdul Khaliq Hazara and Levies Director General Mujeebur Rehman Qumbrani were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Hub Power Company Khalid Mansoor, Chief Executive Officer of China Power Company Mr Zhao and Chief Executive of Hubco Power Holding Company Rohail Mohammad called on Chief Minister Alyani.

During the meeting, the chief minister said the Gadani power project was one of the most important projects included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The meeting discussed different aspects of the agreement signed between these companies and the Balochistan government for the 1,230MW coal power plant.

As per the agreement, the provincial government has three per cent share in the project.

In the light of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the chief minister said social development works must be started.

He stressed the need for providing technical support to the local people and giving them priority in recruitment.

“About one million labourers will be required for 12 industrial zones to be established in the province. This is why the provincial government has been focusing on skilled labour and technical training of workforce and for this purpose training institutes are being set up,” Mr Alyani said.

Hubco and China Power Company have so far invested $2 billion in the Gadani power project. Environment-friendly techno­logy is being used in this project.

The chief executive officer of Hub Power Company informed the chief minister that more than $1bn had been allocated for implementing the CSR agreement.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2019