QUETTA: Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Dr Jahanzeb Khan and Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Monday agreed to improve partnership between the federal government and Balochistan on development projects.

Official sources said that during a meeting, they discussed issues related to agriculture, livestock, mines & minerals, water, private investment and food security.

The meeting also discussed measures taken by the government for socio-economic development, Sustainable Development Goals, Universal Health Card, the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) Automation System and the Budget 2021-22.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Matahar Niaz Rana, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Hafiz Abdul Basit, Finance Secretary Pasand Khan Buledi, Special Secretary of the Chief Minister Zahid Saleem, Information Secretary Sohail-ur-Rehman Baloch and other officials also attended the meeting.

CM says new automation system and app will help trace data of each scheme via barcode

The chief minister informed the meeting that for the first time in the history of Balochistan the PSDP has launched an automation system and its app will be able to trace the data of each scheme via barcode.

“We are preparing development plans according to the needs and issues of the people of the province,” Mr Alyani said, adding that his government was committed to achieving its development goals in time.

He said steps were being taken to bring private investment in different sectors, while two companies had been established for launching projects and luring investment in the mines and mineral sector.

The chief minister said an agreement had been signed with the Punjab government for master planning of Quetta as the government wanted to restore the beauty of the provincial capital and provide maximum facilities to its residents.

He said a digital policy had been introduced for the first time in the province, and access to the Information Act had also been given after its adoption by the provincial assembly. “The information about budget is only useful when people understand it and the department concerned has published a Citizen Budget Book in this regard,” he added.

During the meeting, the Planning Commission’s deputy chairman underlined the need for starting dialogue for development of the country. “The use of modern technology is essential for the development of livestock and agriculture sectors and water conservation,” he said.

Dr Jahanzeb Khan invited the chief minister to visit the Planning Commission.

Mr Alyani agreed to visit the planning commission and directed the officials of the Planning Department to visit the commission after every two months to review the progress on the ongoing federal government’s projects in Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2021