• Orders protection of province’s rights in the project
• Also approves major decisions aimed at improving public welfare, strengthening law and order

QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a $14 billion tri-state gas terminal in Gwadar with investment from Turkmenistan and directed the senior member of the Board of Revenue to ensure that the province’s rights were fully protected in the project.

Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, provincial ministers Mir Zahoor Buledi and Mir Ziaullah Langove said the proposed terminal would also supply natural gas to the districts of Gwadar, Panjgur, Chagai and Washuk.

The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, began with prayers for security personnel and civilians martyred in recent terrorist attacks.

Buledi said the cabinet considered a 26-point agenda and reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating terrorism. He added that the government would not allow terrorist networks to operate on Balochistan’s soil.

The cabinet approved a series of major decisions aimed at improving public welfare, strengthening law and order, expanding educational opportunities, enhancing local governance and accelerating development across the province.

It approved scholarships for 300 children under Phase III of the Workers Welfare Board Scholarship Programme. Officials said 781 children had already benefited from the scheme.

The cabinet approved the release of Rs858 million for the security of seven projects under the South Balochistan Package launched in 2021.

The cabinet also cleared the grant of university status to Tameer-i-Nau College, the establishment of a child protection helpline, the Balochistan Child Protection Rules 2026, amendments to the Balochistan Cadet Colleges Act, and renewal of the service agreement for the Quetta Safe City Project.

Buledi said the cabinet also approved the completion of the Sibi-Harnai Road project, estimated to cost Rs19bn, on an 80:20 cost-sharing basis with the federal government, with the Centre contributing more than Rs15bn and the province over Rs3bn.

The government also renewed the no-objection certificate for the Parco Coastal Refinery project, subject to the payment of land charges at current market rates, and the commencement of investment within two years.

The cabinet further approved the grant of ownership rights to residents of Kalanch and New Town in Gwadar, the creation of Kandhkot and Manjoti tehsils and Kandhkot subdivision, and the upgradation of Mezai and Musizai to municipal committees.

Home Minister Langove said damaged Safe City cameras would be restored within 10 days and confirmed that investigations into the Patel Road blast were underway.

He added that the fuel tankers burnt in Chagai had violated government convoy standard operating procedures and were not part of the officially authorised convoy.

The cabinet formally declared the entire province a police area following the merger of the Levies Force into the police.

It also approved the appointment of SP Nabeel Ahmed as chief operating officer of the Balochistan Safe City Authority, endorsed the formation of a parole board on the recommendation of the home department, and sanctioned the establishment of a new police station in Marble City, Hub, to enhance security for industrial and commercial activities.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026