QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani has said that his government has included some special development projects in the next year’s budget to meet the economic challenge facing the province in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During a meeting with a delegation of the Balochistan Coal Mine Owners Association here on Saturday, he said the province was facing unemployment and other problems because of the pandemic, but his government was giving special attention to the sectors which could provide maximum jobs and help in increasing resources in province.

The chief minister said the livelihood of thousands of people was attached with the mining sector, but previous governments ignored this sector and did nothing for its betterment.

He said his government was utilising all resources at its disposal for uplifting the mining sector. The present coalition government was also working on reforms in all important sectors, he added.

“The mining sector would boom in the near future as the present government has initiated new development schemes in mining fields that will create new job opportunities for youths in the province,” he said.

Mr Alyani said all stakeholders would be taken into confidence regarding new mining policy and taxes.

The mine owners informed the chief minister about new economic challenges emerging in the mining sector after the coronavirus outbreak and thanked him for postponing the increase in royalty and taxes till December 31.

The delegation comprised Malik Shaharyar, Mir Behroz Reki, Amjad Siddique, Mir Ismail Mengal and Sardar Naimatullah.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2020