ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said peace and social and economic development of Balochistan province was a government priority. While chairing the meeting of the National Development Council, which was also attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed formation of a committee with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, and Balochistan Chief Minister, to review and prioritise communications, agriculture, and energy projects.

He also gave approval for the establishment of mineral exploration company for exploration of minerals. He said that the government was fully aware of deprivation of the people of Balochistan and had been trying to remove it.

He said that development of Gwadar Port would not only be a game changer for the province but for the whole area. He said that it was important that road network and infrastructure should be given special focus in the province to benefit from Gwadar Port and the CPEC projects.

The prime minister said that in the past, resources were provided to Balochistan province; however, welfare of the people remained completely neglected in usage of funds. As a result, he said that a big part of the province remained under developed and consequently people felt a sense of deprivation.

The meeting discussed various projects for development of Balochistan including roads and transportation for under-development areas of the province, better use of water resources, agriculture, energy and establishment of border markets as well as taking full advantage of Gwadar Port.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020