QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo has said that the overall development of Gwadar and other parts of Makran division is top priority of the provincial government and all possible efforts are being made to achieve this objective.

According to a press release of the Chief Minister House, Mr Bizenjo stated this during a meeting with former minister Mir Abdul Ghafoor Kalmati during his visit to Muscat on Sunday.

The chief minister also held a meeting with officials of Muscat and discussed wuth them various issues of Pakistanis living there.

Talking to Mr Kalmati, CM Bizenjo informed him about the overall development of Gwadar and Makran division and said it was the top priority of the provincial government.

“Providing basic services to the people at their doorstep is the main objective of our development policy, besides ensuring the rights of fishermen and their welfare,” the chief minister said.

He claimed that illegal trawlers and vessels fishing in Balochistan’s waters had now been completely banned.

“Borders with neighbouring countries have been opened for the convenience of the people living in border areas of Balochistan and unnecessary check-posts have also been abolished,” the chief minister asserted.

“Creating employment opportunities for the people of the province and ensuring their self-esteem and respect will be protected at all costs,” he pledged.

CM Bizenjo told Mr Kalamati that he had directed the members of security forces to earn the trust of people by giving them respect and dignity. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also wanted development in Gwadar.

He said the federal and provincial governments would work together for the overall development of Gwadar, Makran and other parts of the province.

He said that in the next budget, development programmes of every constituency would be included to end the sense of deprivation among the people.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kalmati said the government’s policy and measures for the development of Gwadar and Makran were commendable and the people of Gwadar would not be a part of any negative and anti-development campaign.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2022