Re: ‘Rs135 billion being spent on Balochistan development’
This is not about killings ofcourse we consider killings of pakistanis to be of higher concern than those if Iraqis. All I know is that baloch has taken a very high defensive stance against almost anything, which might have been justified years ago but now its high time they put it down and accepted some sincere aid from the rest of Pakistan.
Re: ‘Rs135 billion being spent on Balochistan development’
30,000 posts for Baloch, says Aziz
The government has approved 30,000 new posts in various departments, including the police and Frontier Corps in Balochistan, to be filled over the next two years to boost employment in the province, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Sunday. “We will also try to provide jobs to Balochistan youth in various departments of the federal government, more than their fixed quota,” he said at a press conference at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat here. However, Aziz added that the public sector alone could not eradicate unemployment in the province. The private sector can make profitable investments in the mining, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, minerals, and livestock sectors in Balochistan and this would boost employment, he said. Aziz urged the people of Balochistan to be optimistic about foreign investment in the province rather than fear the investors taking their resources away. “The investment will have a positive impact on their life as they will get jobs and their areas will make progress,” he said. But he warned that investment would not come into the province until the security situation improves. He said the government will not compromise on the writ of the state in Balochistan, but at the same time it believes the best way to resolve the troubles in the province is through dialogue. “We will maintain peace in Balochistan and possess much resources and power to curb the elements trying to disrupt peace in the province,” the prime minister said. He said the government is trying to create a favourable atmosphere for dialogue, but there are “a few elements” not interested in talks and intent on sabotage. “We want solution of problems through mutual consultation and consent, but will maintain the writ of the state at the same time,” he said.
Aziz conceded that law and order was a real problem in some areas of Balochistan. “No government wants any damage caused to people or national assets, hence efforts are underway to establish the government’s writ,” he said. The federal government is paying special attention to the development of Balochistan, he said. Some 56 percent of the Rs 2.8 billion Khushhal Pakistan Programme has been allocated to district governments in the province. “This time, we have not made a mere announcement, but distributed cheques among the district nazims on the spot,” he said, adding that the government had directed the nazims to spend the money on water supply, drainage, dispensaries and school projects. The federal government is aware of the financial crunch the Balochistan government is in and has provided debt relief of Rs 1.7 billion, besides a grant of Rs 800 million. “Moreover, Balochistan is the largest beneficiary of the NFC (National Finance Commission) award and it will receive Rs 6 billion next fiscal year,” he added. The federal government is implementing several major projects in Balochistan costing Rs 140 billion, but also smaller projects to expand civic, health and education facilities in Balochistan, the prime minister said. To a question, the prime minister condemned the killing of Pakistanis in the Afghan border town of Spin Boldak and said that Pakistan wants cordial relations with Afghanistan. “We provided shelter to millions of Afghan refugees in our country during civil war in Afghanistan considering them as our brothers,” he said. Later addressing the provincial cabinet, Aziz vowed that the government would ensure law and order in Balochistan and enforce its writ. “Those who are disturbing peace and playing with the lives of innocent people are enemies of the country and opposed to the development of Balochistan,” he said. He urged the Baloch people to work with the federal and provincial governments and law enforcement agencies to develop the region and restore peace. “Development cannot be achieved without peace. Foreigners will not move towards our areas to invest their capital when a peaceful atmosphere has not been created,” he said. The prime minister said the government was in talks with a Dubai-based company about the operation of Gwadar Port. More posts are being opened at the border with Iran to increase trade with the country, he added.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\03\27\story_27-3-2006_pg1_1