Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Balochistan CM wants sectarian issues resolved

Staff Report

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch on Tuesday called for addressing sectarian issues by taking international players into confidence.

Addressing participants of the National Security and War Course 13/14, the chief minister said that sectarian conflict is not only a regional issue but it had plagued the entire region.

He said that all the challenges related to economic development, security or other development challenges could be met through democratic means, adding that to address the issue of sectarianism and to set Balochistan on the path of sustainable development the government would seek cooperation of political forces, clerics and all sections of society.

He said that Balochistan makes "around 43 percent of the country's total area and the province is also rich in natural resources which we can use not only for the development of the people of this province but also for that of the entire country".

The chief minister said that he himself was a common man and no one could better understand issues facing people better than him, adding, "We want to turn Balochistan into a centre of intellectuals."

He appealed to people of intellect and knowledge to come from all across the country and help map out a solution to the problems of Balochistan.

"We believe in pluralism and commit ourselves to use all the resources for the well being of the good of common man. It is the utmost desire of our government that no children remains deprived of education and therefore we have allocated 24% of PSDP for education."

The chief minister said the government is focusing it attention on the health sector and all hospitals are being provided with necessary equipment. He said that apart from hospitals at the provincial level, those at district level are also being improved and provided all equipment.

He said that efforts were underway to control the infant and maternal mortality rate. He said that Rs 1 billion have been allocated for the improvement of hospitals.

He said that electricity crisis is also being given consideration and the minister for water and power has assured that transmission live covering Dado, Khuzdar, DG Khan and Lorali would soon be completed. He said that this would address the issue of load shedding in the province and agriculture would receive an impetus for growth.

 

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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