News
Sound economy inevitable for strengthening democracy: CM
QUETTA: Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that sound economy is inevitable for strengthening democracy, maintaining that Balochistan has thousands year old civilisation which needs more research to be explored.
“The law and order situation is quite better in Balochistan as compared to many other big cities of Pakistan; however, acute poverty is looming across the province,” he added. He expressed these views during a meeting with France’s Consul General Francois Dall Orso who called on him on Monday. The chief minister said that the people in over 29 districts of the province were living below the poverty line; however, incumbent government was utilising all available resources for improving the situation. “Our entire region is under conflict. Like other areas, Balochistan is also facing sectarianism, extremism and many other challenges,” he told French diplomat, adding that the impression about deteriorating law and order in Balochistan is wrong.
Chief Minister Dr Malik said that the coalition government was paying special focus on education, as it was establishing six new universities and three medical colleges. Apart from these, he said, the government had allocated 26 percent of budget for improvement of education. “As many as 2.3 million children in Balcohistan are not going school and we need to establish 12,000 more schools which will cost us Rs 63 billion,” he added. He said that despite meagre resources in hand, the government was striving hard to improve economy of the province, provide jobs to youths and improve basic facilities.
He told the French consul general that there was a vast opportunity of investment in various sectors of Balochistan, including agriculture, livestock, mining, fisheries and energy.
“The government will provide full security and special incentives to investors and would soon organise Balochistan Development Forum where investors will be apprised of government’s strategy about opportunities,” he said.
On the occasion, the French diplomat said that Balochistan has great importance for entire world owing to its rich history and culture, adding that France was interested in making more exploration in the province. He said that France was also interested in working in Balochistan for promotion of education, elimination of poverty and making investment.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk