Manan Mandokhail, News Desk:
QUETTA: Quetta’s iconic Café Baldia, valued at over Rs. 2 billion, has not generated any rent revenue for the Municipal Corporation Quetta (MCQ) in the past six years, revealed Commissioner Quetta Division Hamza Shafqaat in a joint press conference with Government of Balochistan Spokesman Shahid Rind and Dr. Faisal Ahmed Khan, Chief of the Public-Private Partnership Board (PPPB).
Highlighting financial challenges, Commissioner Shafqaat disclosed that MCQ is burdened with a debt exceeding Rs. 1 billion, while its annual revenue generation is under Rs. 12 crore. The Commissioner emphasized that a public-private partnership is essential to sustain Quetta’s municipal infrastructure. He noted that Café Baldia’s lease expired, prompting an auction process with interested parties willing to pay up to Rs. 1 million monthly—a move that, according to Shafqaat, caused unrest among those benefiting from the previous minimal Rs. 6,000 rent, later increased to Rs. 50,000 by court order.
Shafqaat also mentioned that a QMC-owned petrol pump and Imdad Hospital have failed to deposit any revenue to the corporation in over a decade, stating, “This is citizens’ property, not for individual gain.” The officials discussed other government initiatives, including the Safa Quetta project, aimed at enhancing civic services and improving public resources through sustainable management and partnerships.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Government of Balochistan Spokesman Shahid Rind and Dr. Faisal Ahmed Khan, Chief of the Public-Private Partnership Board (PPPB), shared insights into the transformative goals of the Safa Quetta project, which aims to revitalize Quetta’s sanitation system.
Shahid Rind emphasized the broader impact of the initiative, stating, “The Safa Quetta project is a transformative step towards making our city cleaner, greener, and more livable for all residents. We are committed to addressing Quetta’s pressing sanitation issues with sustainable solutions.” He added, “This project is about more than cleaning streets; it’s about empowering communities to take pride in their environment and bringing lasting change through active public involvement.”
Dr. Faisal Ahmed Khan highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach, remarking, “Through Safa Quetta, we’re introducing a modern, systematic approach to waste management that will significantly improve the quality of life in Quetta. Our goal is to create a cleaner, healthier city for future generations.” He continued, “The partnership model in Safa Quetta enables us to maximize impact by combining public resources with private sector efficiency. This collaboration is essential to achieving long-term environmental improvements in Quetta.”
The officials underscored that Safa Quetta’s public-private partnership model is designed to enhance waste management efficiency and promote community engagement, making it a cornerstone of Quetta’s sustainable development plan.
