QUETTA: Initiatives taken by the Special Investment Facilitation Cou­n­­­cil (SIFC) at federal level should have a trickle-down effect in each pro­­vin­ce, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said on Tuesday.

He was speaking in Quetta at Balochistan’s apex committee meeting, also attended by Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, Federal Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki, his cabinet members and other senior officials.

During the meeting, officials briefed the participants on the revised National Action Plan (NAP), law enforcement operations, anti-smuggling and anti-narcotics operations in Balochistan, an official statement said.

The officials also briefed the participants on the security of foreigners employed on CPEC, non-CPEC and private projects, the repatriation of illegal immigrants, foreign currency regularisation measures, and progress on SIFC initiatives in Balochistan.

PM, COAS attend Balochistan apex committee meeting, briefed on revised NAP, anti-smuggling operations

Prime Minister Kakar expressed confidence in the progress made by the provincial government and assured full support from the Centre.

He emphasised that Balochistan’s socio-economic development was imperative to ensure peace and development of the province. “Initiatives taken by the SIFC at federal level should have a trickle-down effect in each province for the people of the area,” the premier said.

“Balochistan is rich in mines and minerals and development in this sector will generate economic activity and job opportunities for the people of the area. Moreover, investments in agriculture and IT should also be focused apart from human resource development,” he said.

He underscored the need for synergy among all relevant departments for gainful effects of the initiatives.

Speaking on the occasion, the army chief highlighted that the military would provide full support in concert with law enforcement agencies and other government departments to enforce actions against a spectrum of illegal activities with full force to deny pilferage of resources and economic losses that the country suffered due to these activities.

The participants affirmed that state institutions, government departments, and people were united for the progress and prosperity of the province.

When they arrived in Baloch­istan, the prime minister and the army chief were received by Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar, the chief minister, provincial ministers, Baloch­istan Corps Commander Lt Gen Asif Ghafoor and other senior officials.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2023