QUETTA: On Tuesday, President Asif Ali Zardari addressed concerns regarding stability in Balochistan, noting that certain elements oppose peace and progress in the region. During a comprehensive briefing on law and order and development initiatives, held in the provincial capital, President Zardari advocated for dialogue with all political forces concerning the province’s future.
The meeting saw participation from key figures including Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Governor Shaikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhel, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, along with various provincial ministers and senior officials. The discussions focused on critical issues such as smuggling and its ties to the national economy and terrorism, the need for job creation especially in border regions, and a unified national stance against terrorism.
President Zardari emphasized the socio-economic challenges faced by Balochistan, pointing out the inadequate healthcare facilities relative to other provinces. He proposed emulating Sindh’s training programs in nursing and other sectors to enhance local healthcare services and suggested that Balochistan could collaborate with Sindh on various public welfare initiatives.
The president also called for international cooperation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help provide overseas employment opportunities for Balochistan’s skilled and technically educated youth. Stressing the importance of timely financial support from the federal government, he highlighted the necessity for immediate release of funds for key projects to alleviate the province’s developmental backlog.
Furthering the development agenda, President Zardari proposed public-private partnerships to advance infrastructure projects such as the Kachhi Canal and advocated for constructing dams and securing water supplies from Central Asian countries to address agricultural and water scarcity issues.
Chief Minister Bugti elaborated on the governance, environmental, and security hurdles confronting Balochistan, citing the lack of basic infrastructure and communication networks as major obstacles in remote areas. He urged for the swift allocation of funds from the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to expedite crucial public welfare projects.
Highlighting ongoing efforts to maintain peace, CM Bugti mentioned the potential for future negotiations and stressed the need for a nationally agreed upon agenda for sustained progress.
The federal government’s support was sought for various regional development projects including the Burj Azam Khan Dam, the Kachhi Canal, the Hub-Dareji to Dadu road, and initiatives at the Gadani Ship Breaking Yard and Gwadar Port, as well as for enhancing youth skills and addressing climate change challenges.
