QUETTA: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar during the last leg of his three-day visit to the provincial capital on Sunday assured tribal elders, businessmen and educationists that the interim government was making all-out efforts to boost foreign investment, industrial and agriculture development, and provision of employment opportunities in the province.

While reassuring them that the interim government within the short span of time at its hand would strive for resolving as many issues of Balochistan as possible, PM Kakar said Pakistan’s future economic progress was linked with the development of the province.

Tribal elders

In a meeting with a delegation of tribal elders led by Sahabzada Mohammad Khan, the premier said the interim government within the limited time and mandate would make efforts to provide a basis to the next government for development in the country, especially Balochistan.

The delegation congratulated Prime Minister Kakar, a former spokesperson for Balochistan government and senator who was born in Qilla Saifullah, on assuming the top office and extended good wishes.

The tribal elders also expressed the hope that the interim government would make efforts to provide relief to the people of the province.

Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar, interim chief minister Mir Ali Mardan Domki, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan and other officials concerned were also present.

PM Kakar said, “We will try to provide equal job opportunities to the youth of Balochistan,” as Pakistan’s progress was linked to Balochistan’s development. “For the country’s progress, the caretaker government would strive to increase the role of Balochistan province through the provision of infrastructure, electricity, water, and all other available resources,” he assured the delegation.

‘Industrial revolution’

Also in a meeting with business leaders and office-bearers of Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), the caretaker PM said it would make all-out efforts to spur an industrial revolution in Balochistan.

Under the Special Investment Facilitation Council, efforts would be made to ensure Balochistan benefit from foreign investment, he told the delegation.

On the occasion, the prime minister was apprised of the issues being faced by the business community in the province. The delegation suggested various measures to boost business and trade with neighboring countries. He said Balochistan was not just the country’s largest province, but also the most suitable area for trade and industry. He said the province should have been a hub of industries due to huge mineral resources, vast agricultural lands and Gwadar port.

He assured the QCCI delegation of government efforts to resolve the issues they raised and ensure unhindered trade and business with the neighbouring countries.

On the other hand, the caretaker premier in a meeting with vice chancellors of public sector universities in Balochistan highlighted the need for setting up incubation centres by the industrial sector in varsities to offer opportunities to students for contemporary research.

He said graduating students should be equipped with professional skill sets to meet the requirements of industries. He called for proper planning at varsity level to ensure that higher education provide students a regular base for research and innovation. Lack of innovation, he pointed out, was linked with poor education and research.

He underscored the need to promote a culture of research and creativity that could bring about improvement in all sectors of life.

With these measures, he said, trained and talented youth would be able to play their role in the industrial sector, thus paving the way for an ‘industrial revolution’ and country’s prosperity. He said highly skilled youth, if provided with a culture of innovation, were vital assets for a country. Mr Kakar said the youth should be provided with ample opportunities to achieve these targets. He asked the delegation to strive for removing all hurdles in this pursuit by bringing higher education on a par with international standards.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2023