QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet on Monday approved the first digital policy of the province. The goals of the 2020-21 policy are to provide e-governance, public access to digital services, provision of cheap, standard and high-speed internet facility, besides promoting Information Communication Technologies (ICT) companies in the province through digital capability, digital economy, software and IT parks.

The government will establish a state-of-the-art centralised data centre.

A meeting of the cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani also approved a bill to amend the rules framed under the Balochistan Tourist Guides Act, 2014, the Balochistan Vaccination Ordinance, 1958, and the Balochistan Education Council, 2021 draft bill with some changes.

The meeting decided to formulate a policy for the protection and better breeding of cattle, prevention of infectious diseases in cattle and paving the way for poultry production in the province.

The cabinet approved Draft Amendments to Public-Private Partnership Rules, Balochistan Government Employees Benevolent Fund (Disbursement) Rules, Amendment to Balochistan Civil Servant (Appointment, Promotion and Transfer) Rules, 2009, Amendment to Balochistan Government Rules of Business, 2012, and Balochistan Public Procurement Rules, 2014.

The cabinet approved funds to increase security measures in Kalat.

It also approved a project to improve and rehabilitate Lakhra to Kanki Bridge Awaran Road.

The cabinet approved Rs111.800 million for compensation to the victims of the August 13, 2020 earthquake in Basima and Koregi, two Union Councils of Washuk District.

It approved the formation of a joint cabinet sub-committee for assessment of areas of the province affected by drought, floods, snowfall and other natural disasters.

The secretary minerals briefed the meeting on the current situation of Reko Diq International Arbitration, Balochistan Mineral Exploration Company and Balochistan Mineral Resources Limited.

The chief minister told the meeting that his government would have to take steps under a comprehensive strategy to promote investment in the mineral sector along with other productive sectors. Balochistan’s economy could be strengthened by developing the mineral sector, he said.

Mr Alyani said that concrete steps were needed to be taken to attract local and international investors.

He said his government had started a uniform development process across the province and all available resources were being utilised for the socio-economic development of the people.

Earlier, the cabinet offered Fateha for the martyrs of Mach tragedy.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2021