Staff Reporter:
Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan on Thursday termed Pakistan China Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a game-changer in the region in terms of economic development and opening of new vistas of opportunities. The Chief Minister chaired a high-level meeting regarding Forest, Wildlife, Environment, Tourism, Museum, and Balochistan Coastal Development Authority departments.
Mr. Jam Kamal Khan stated that Balochistan serves to be the land of opportunities since through CPEC, the province would get the country connected with the Central Asian States via Chaman, European countries via Iran and Turkey. Through Pakistan, Europe and the Central Asian States can be connected, he mentioned.
He however said the importance of Balochistan in the multi-billion dollar project must be accepted to boost the economy and attract foreign investment. Long coast, resources, TAPI gas pipeline have increased the importance of the province, he added.
CM Balochistan’s advisers, Abdul Khaliq Hazara, Sardar Masood Luni, additional chief secretary development, Abdul Rehman Buzdar, additional chief secretary home, Hafiz Abdul Basit and other high ups also attended the meeting.
“This government wants to develop all sectors, contrary to past”, the chief minister said, adding that all departments were empowered to include their development schemes in the new budget.
The chief minister, however, expressed displeasure over the performance of the forest and wildlife department and said, despite being an important department, it failed to pinpoint its priorities in the budget. He directed the forest department to make sure the implementation of a 10 billion tree plantations project to promote tourism and create an environmentally friendly atmosphere in the province.
The secretary tourism informed the meeting that historical antiques of Balochistan have been brought from England and France and they would be kept in the Quetta museum. The meeting decided to beep up the security of the museum.
