The meeting was briefed in detail about the progress of historic Balochistan Package under the government’s vision of special attention on the province.
It was told that the federal and provincial institutions were jointly monitoring the work on the development package and ensuring the completion of projects on priority.
The meeting was further informed that out of the total Rs 654 billion package, an amount of Rs 99.38 billion would be spent during the current fiscal year on transport, construction of basic infrastructure, provision and better utilization of clean water, agriculture and livestock, information technology, energy, trade and industry, manpower, education and other development projects.
Under the package, a network of 1, 100 kilometers of roads was being constructed, which, besides facilitating the people in mobility, would also play an important role in transporting the agricultural commodities to markets, it was told.
The meeting was further told that the construction of seven big dams as well as 100 small ones was also included in the package. Akra Kaur, Sawad and Shadi Kaur dams would help ensure the supply of clean water to Gwadar.
Moreover, the dams would also help improve irrigation system, provision of water for agriculture, implementation of agricultural transformation plan and enhance agricultural production.
The meeting was also informed that under the package, the supply of electricity would be increased from the current 12% to 57%. The supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) would also be ensured.
The meeting was told that a comprehensive project namely ASPIRE had been initiated under which students from far flung areas were being provided with tele-education through tele-schooling.
With 25, 000 children being educated under the Waseela-e-Taleem programme, the establishment of cadet colleges in Gwadar and Kharan, and women universities in Turbat, Pasheen and Khuzdar were also included in the project.
The meeting was told that 640, 000 children would benefit from the tele education system. The project included financial assistance of 5, 000 families under the Ehsaas Programme, whereas a survey was being conducted to include another 20, 000 families in the financial assistance scheme.
The meeting was further told that the Digital Balochistan project included ensuring improvement in digital connectivity in Kech, Gwadar, Chagai and Naushki, provision of high speed internet alongside the major highways, and the provision of digital skills to 35, 000 youth under the Ignite Programme.
The meeting was also briefed about the projects of the establishment of joint border markets at Gabad, Mand and Chegdi (Balochistan) for the promotion of trade and industry, dates processing plants at Washuk, Mashkel and Turbat, world class marble industries, olive oil plants in Khuzdar, strengthening and modernization of the boat manufacturing industry in Gwadar, and the provision of modern mining machinery.