Mega projects to bring prosperity in Balochistan: PM
Pakistan Times National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says various mega developmental projects being carried out in Balochistan will usher in a new era of prosperity in the province. He was talking to a delegation of students from Balochistan here on Monday.

He was confident that projects like Gwadar port, coastal highway and Mirani dam would accelerate economic activities in the province and would create job opportunities.

Gwadar Port

The Prime Minister specially mentioned about Gwadar port, that is being completed in a record time of three years and will be functional from early next year. Similarly, he said, the coastal highway has been completed in a stipulated time. He said that an Australian company has been given contract for copper exploration while the Chinese are already working on the Saindak project.

He said the province remained deprived for the past many years and it is for the first time that the government has taken the task of its development. He said during the last five years, President Pervez Musharraf has always desired that Balochistan should develop and its backwardness removed through progress and prosperity.

Environment for Investment

Shaukat Aziz said the government is creating a conducive climate to attract foreign investment in the growing competitive world.

The government is also focusing on skill development of youth of Balochistan to enable them actively take part in the progress of their province. He said the skill development would prepare them for the vast job of opportunities that would be created through the string of mega development projects underway in the province.

Assurance to Youth

The Prime Minister assured the students that his government is working to provide maximum job opportunities to the youth of Balochistan. He said the necessary funds would soon be released for construction of Gwadar Institute of Technology.

He described the youth as country’s future and urged them to work sincerely and devotedly for its progress and prosperity.

The delegation comprised students from Gwadar, Mekran and other areas who are currently receiving training in the National Institute of Scientific and Technological Education, under the Skill Development Training programme.

The Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) is also giving them special stipend during their training programme in Islamabad.

Support to Govt

The Prime Minister asked them to be broad-minded and support government’s endeavours in bringing investment that would open floodgates of employment opportunities and usher in a new era of development in the province. “If Balochistan progresses, Pakistan will progress,” he said.

“It is not a time for sloganeering. There is a need for skill development,” he said and added the youth would have to be equipped with modern skills to meet the future challenges.●