QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that without promoting legal trade and business, the economic progress of any province or country is not possible.

Speaking to business leaders and members of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) here on Wednesday, he said the government is taking all possible steps for encouraging and promoting legal trade, but it will not support smuggling in the province.

The chief minister said that smuggling could not be considered a legal trade as it has badly affected the economy of Balochistan.

“We will make ourselves the voice of the business community of Balochistan and will get its legitimate demands accepted from the federal government,” Mr Bugti assured the business community.

The chief minister spoke at length on various issues facing the province, including law and order, business, women empowerment and establishing of special economic zones, and said that efforts are under way to resolve these issues.

Referring to special economic zones in the province, he regretted that the establishment of special economic zones and expo centre had become victims of ethnicity.

“A committee is being formed comprising Bilal Kakar, Asfandyar Mando­khail and others through a notification immediately to find out the solution of the land issue,” Mr Bugti said. He invited investors from Balochistan and other provinces to come forward and establish industries in Bostan Special Economic Zone.

He claimed the government will provide security to investors investing in Balochistan.

The chief minister termed the unannounced declaration of Balochistan as the red zone by State Bank of Pakistan a serious issue and said the provincial government will take up this important issue with the Governor of State Bank.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2024