QUETTA: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday emphasized the need for a dialogue between all political forces in Balochistan stating that talks were essential to ensure development and progress though certain quarters did not want stability in the country.

The president expressed these views while receiving a briefing on law and order and progress on the ongoing development projects in the province. The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mando­khel, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, provincial ministers and senior federal and provincial authorities.

Mr Zardari highlighted the need to eliminate smuggling, which was damaging the national economy, and stressed the link between terrorism and narcotics smuggling. He also emphasized the importance of providing job opportunities to people living in border areas.

During the meeting, it was decided to initiate consultations on adopting a joint national narrative against terrorism. The president directed law enforcement agencies to continue their efforts against terrorists and expressed awareness of the province’s backwardness and frail economic situation.

Mr Zardari suggested emulating the Sindh government’s system for training youth in nursing and other sectors and seeking its services in the health sector.

He also proposed evolving a joint strategy for cooperation between the two provinces in different sectors of public welfare.

He stressed the need for seeking cooperation from different countries through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide jobs to technically educated and skilled youth abroad.

He emphasized the importance of releasing allocated funds by the federal governm­e­­nt to remove the province’s bac­­kwardness and prioritizing funds for public welfare projects.

The president also highlighted the need for outsourcing Kachhi canal and proposed constructing dams and supplying water to make lands cultivable, overcoming the paucity of water in the province, similar to Central Asian countries.

Chief Minister Bugti discussed governance, climate change issues and security challenges in the province, emphasizing the need for expeditious release of PSDP and other allocated funds for mega development projects.

He stressed the importance of maintaining peace in the province and holding negotiations in the future, with a consensus at the national level.

At the meeting, cooperation from the federal government was sought for various uplift projects, including Burj Azam Khan Dam, Kachhi canal, Hub, and road from Dareji to Dadu, besides other projects related to Gadani Ship Breaking Yard, Gwadar Port, imparting skills to youth and climate change.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2024