• Quetta’s public bus fleet slated for electric conversion; CM secretariat to switch to solar power
• People’s Train Service set for August 14 launch
• Eight major cities to be declared ‘Safe Cities’ by June 30

QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Wednesday approved plans to shift Quetta’s public bus services to electric vehicles and to power the Chief Minister’s Secretariat with solar energy as part of a broad push for sustainable development in the province.

The decisions were made during a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.

The meeting reviewed multiple projects aimed at efficient energy use, eco-friendly transportation, and greater private sector participation in public service initiatives.

The board gave its in-principle approval to gradually convert the city’s Green and Pink bus services into electric ones.

Officials said the initiative is designed to reduce urban pollution and provide citizens with modern, safe, and comfortable transport.

In a move to promote energy conservation, the board also approved shifting the Chief Minister Secretariat to solar power, a project expected to cut operational costs and support the government’s environmentally friendly policies.

“Development projects were being made faster, more effective, and sustainable through public-private partnerships,” Chief Minister Bugti said.

He emphasised that the government is committed to “benefiting from private sector expertise and investment to provide modern infrastructure and services in the province”.

CM Bugti added that promoting eco-friendly transportation would significantly reduce urban pollution and improve public travel, stating that alternative energy remains a top government priority.

“The provincial government is taking practical steps under a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to ensure sustainable development, economic stability, and public welfare in Balochistan,” he said.

The initiatives were announced as officials, in a separate high-level meeting, reviewed the progress of other major welfare projects across the province.

Officials confirmed that the new People’s Train Service is expected to launch on Aug 14, with the train’s bogies fully prepared.

The project is being described as a milestone in providing improved travel facilities to the public.

Progress was also reported on security and urban development, with a plan to declare eight major cities in Balochistan as “Safe Cities” by June 30 to strengthen urban security.

In a significant public health achievement, officials reported that Balochistan has surpassed other provinces in routine immunisation, successfully achieving 94pc of its targets.

The education sector has also seen progress, with the establishment of 2,100 new community schools that have brought more than 136,000 out-of-school children back into the education system.

Other ongoing projects include the installation of 1,255 water filtration plants across 900 union councils to ensure safe drinking water, and work is continuing on five new dams expected to irrigate over 42,000 acres of land.

The meetings were attended by provincial officials, including Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, who reaffirmed the government’s focus on completing the projects on time.He directed all departments to ensure continuous monitoring so that set targets are achieved within their deadlines.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026