CPEC to usher in new era of development in Balochistan: official

ISLAMABAD: The successful completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)-related projects would bring development and prosperity to the country, especially Balochistan, a senior government official said.

Addressing a 100-member delegation of students from seven districts of Balochistan at the Parliament House, Acting President of Pakistan and Senate Speaker Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani said that Balochistan was on the path of development and prosperity.

“[The] development of Gwadar is imperative for the prosperity of the country,” he said, adding that the people from all over the country would come to Balochistan for economic activity, and “this province will be at the forefront in the coming days”.

Sanjrani said that optimum utilisation of natural resources and promoting education was crucial to development and prosperity of Balochistan.

The province is rich in natural resources, and the people of Balochistan, especially the educated youth, could reap benefits from the CPEC projects, he said, adding: “Being the future of the nation, the young generation should step up and play their full role in the country’s progress and prosperity.”

Highlighting the importance of Gwadar, Sanjrani underscored that the development of the country was interlinked with Gwadar, which could be taken advantage of not only to change the destiny of the province but also to bring growth and prosperity to the entire country.

“Steps are being taken to promote education in Balochistan. Soon universities will be set up in Chaghi and Gwadar areas so that the people there can get higher education,” he said.

The Senate has been playing an essential role in encouraging the young generation and invited various delegations to acquaint the students with the work of the Parliament House, he added.

The acting president said it was the shared responsibility of all of us to convince the world that the people of Balochistan were progressive and would work hard to find new avenues for development.

Lauding Prime Minister Imran Khan’s efforts for the development of Balochistan, Sanjrani said that the prime minister has been paying particular attention to the development of the province, which resulted in the approval of projects worth billions of rupees.

Sanjrani gave detailed answers to the questions regarding power outages and water issues, and said steps were being taken to resolve the problems of electricity and water in Gwadar.

Referring to his recent visit to Iran, Sanjrani apprised the students that detailed consultations on the aforementioned issues were held with the newly-elected president of Iran.

He said six trade routes on the border were also identified during the meeting with the newly-elected Iranian president.

Sanjrani assured the students delegation that a permanent solution for electricity and water would be sorted out in a year.

He said with the cost of Rs18 billion, Gwadar would soon be connected to the national grid. Further, with the installation of a 50MW solar plant, the electricity requirement of one district could be met.

For the permanent solution of the water issue, a plan would be put in place to desalinate salted water, he said, adding: “There are vast opportunities to generate electricity from alternative sources in the province.”

Sanjrani also said that he would talk to the Chinese government about granting scholarships to at least 300 students of Balochistan.

“I will take every possible step to bring the students of Balochistan at par with other students of the country,” he said.

The Saudi government has also sought details of 50 to 60 students in terms of scholarships and higher education, he said, adding that the children from Balochistan would also be sent there to pursue higher education.

He asked the students to learn from the expertise of those who were already working in Gwadar.

The acting president and the delegation cut the cake to commemorate the Independence Day of Pakistan.

Sanjrani also presented a shield to the delegation. The delegation comprising 100 students from seven districts of Balochistan, while thanking the acting president of Pakistan, expressed pleasure and said that the visit would help them understand the affairs of the Parliament. The delegation also visited the Senate Museum and Senate Hall.

Also Read

Chinese envoy applauds new SAPM on CPEC

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of China to Pakistan Nong Rong has congratulated Khalid Mansoor...