Quetta (Staff Report/Agencies): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being reviewed to address Balochistan's reservations.
The PM said this during his meeting with members of the Balochistan cabinet in Quetta. The meeting was briefed on ongoing development projects in the province.
Speaking on the occasion, the PM said that progress of Pakistan is linked with development of Balochistan. The federal government will extend every possible cooperation to Balochistan in the financial crisis being faced by it, he said.
The PM said the federal government in collaboration with Balochistan authorities will end backwardness in the province.
Imran Khan said a comprehensive strategy would be worked out for an early progress of Balochistan in the light of proposals to be submitted by the Provincial Government.
The prime minister asked the members of Provincial assembly to do an effective legislation for resolving problems of the people in the province. He also stressed the need of taking measures on priority basis to meet the water scarcity in Quetta city.
He lamented that previous experienced rulers caused damage to Pakistan and took massive loans.
Noting that the country was currently facing financial issues, the prime minister said, "We hope that we will soon get rid of this difficulty."
Khan further said the completion of Kachhi canal would bring an agricultural revolution in Balochistan. Of the 363-km long canal starting from Taunsa Barrage at Indus River, 281 km lies in Punjab and 80 km in Balochistan.
Imran Khan said CPEC is being reviewed afresh to safeguard rights of all the provinces.
Meanwhile, speaking in an event, PM Imran Khan requested Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan to adopt the new local bodies system which is going to be introduced in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf managed to bag two-third majority in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the resources were allocated to the lowest-tier of the government.
The said that there is an urgent need for human development programmes in the province.
Earlier, the prime minister visited the Southern Command Headquarters in Quetta.
On this occasion, he said that the true potentials of Balochistan will be realised through a comprehensive national effort, cooperation between federal and provincial governments and assistance of the armed forces.
He acknowledged and appreciated contributions of security forces towards improving peace, stability and socio-economic development of the province.
A detailed briefing was given to the prime minister on security situation of the province, challenges and responses.
The PM was also briefed about socio-economic development based Khushal Balochistan program, security of China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects and progress on fencing along Pak-Afghan border.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that having achieved stability in troubled areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, lately the focus of the armed forces has been on Balochistan, which is economic future of Pakistan.
