QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani has said that a comprehensive strategy is required to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the provincial economy.

He was presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister Secretariat on Friday to discuss the impact of coronavirus on the provincial economy. It was attended by the secretaries concerned and other officials through video link.

The chief minister said the pandemic had badly affected the economy and stressed the need for taking concrete measures to increase resources. “We have to secure our financial assets and resources and take steps for development and increasing our resources.”

The meeting discussed matters relating to financial and development sectors and the next financial year’s budget. The Additional Chief Secretary for planning and development, Abdul Rehman Buzdar, and Finance Secretary Noor-ul-Haq Baloch briefed the meeting on the development and non-development sectors and the funds required for them in the budget. The meeting expressed satisfaction over the release of funds for development projects.

The chief minister, giving guidelines for preparation of the next year’s budget, directed the authorities concerned to include in the budget those projects which generate income, create job opportunities and develop natural resources.

He said financial discipline had been improved during the current financial year, adding that funds should be released as per real requirements in the last two months of the year. “The budget for the next financial year should be prepared according to priorities,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2020