A parliamentary delegation of Balochistan led by Senator Usman Khan Kakar met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here on Monday and discussed matters of mutual interest. The Parliamentary delegation comprised Senator Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel, Abdul Kahar Khan MNA, Advisor to Chief Minister Balochistan Ubaidullah Jan Babat, PA and others. Provincial Minister for Education, Rana Mashhood Ahmad, Secretary Higher Education, Commissioner Lahore Division and other concerned officers were also present on the occasion.
The members of the delegation said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has fixed special quota in the educational programmes of Punjab for the students of other provinces which has promoted inter-provincial harmony and brotherhood. The CM said there is a need of collective efforts for the progress and prosperity of the country. Punjab government has included students of Balochistan, KPK, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir in its educational programmes and fixed special quota in this regard.
He said the participation of all units of Pakistan in such revolutionary programmes as Punjab Educational Fund, Danish Schools, Laptops Scheme, study tours of talented boy and girl students to foreign countries and awarding of cash prizes to position holders has resulted in promotion of national unity, harmony and brotherhood.
Shahbaz Sharif said the federal government led by Nawaz Sharif is taking solid measures for the progress of Balochistan. Punjab government gave 11 billion rupees from its annual share under NFC Award to Balochistan and, as such, 55 billion rupees have been given to Balochistan during the last five years.
He said it was obligation and responsibility of the provincial government and PML-N government will continue to serve its Baloch brethren. Pakistan comprises four units as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir and their joys and sorrows are common, there is a need of adopting a collective approach as it is the secret of survival and progress and prosperity of the country
He said all out resources will be made available for the uplift and prosperity of the people of Balochistan, a special quota has been fixed for boy and girl students of Balochistan in educational institutions of Punjab including Danish schools while scholarships for higher education have also been given to the Baloch students from PEEF. Punjab government has provided funds for setting up a hospital for cardiac patients in Quetta, all out cooperation will be provided to Balochistan in solid waste management, emergency service 1122, PHA and other sectors. The Parliamentary delegation appreciated the measures taken by Shahbaz Sharif for the uplift of education and other social sectors and said that Punjab government has launched revolutionary programmes for the development of education sector.