Projects in Balochistan to complete in 2-3 years: PM

PM INAUGURATES SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY AND DAM IN GAWADAR PROMISES END OF LOAD SHEDDING BY 2018

Development projects worth billions are being implemented in Balochistan and they will guarantee the progress and prosperity of the province, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of various development projects in Gawadar on Thursday.

He said the projects will be completed in the next two to three years, adding that Gawadar had the potential to become a world class seaport and Pakistan and the rest of the world knew its value. He said Gawadar was the most backward region of the country but now it was being developed to be included in the mainstream, adding that Gwadar seaport was the nerve centre of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He said Gwadar is Balochistan and Balochistan is Gwadar and similarly Gwadar is Pakistan and Pakistan is Gwadar. The PM said that a 300MW coal fired power plant was being built which would provide electricity to Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan. Likewise, he said desalination plant would provide clean drinking water to water to Gwadar and adjoining areas. Sharif said domestic and international flights would operate from Gwadar International Airport. He said Pakistan and China were implementing joint venture in infrastructure, power, railways and other sectors including industrial zones and economic zones and the road from Gawadar would go up to China. The PM said over 10,000MW of electricity would be added to the national grid by the end of 2017 or in the beginning of 2018, adding that power outages would end by 2018.

Sharif said due to military operations terrorism was breathing its last. He paid tribute to the armed forces, security agencies, police, administration and other institutions.

Addressing the ceremony Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri said development projects would bring progress and prosperity to the province.

He said funds have been released for Gwadar Safe City project. The chief minister thanked the prime minister for removing hurdles in the way of development process. He said Nawaz Sharif was taking keen interest in the development projects of Balochistan.

In his address, Mir Hasil Bizenjo stressed the need for announcing Rs 10 billion package for Gwadar. He said people of the province wanted development in the area. Bizenjo said CPEC would prove to be a game changer for Balochistan.

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said it was an honor to visit Gwadar with Sharif. He said Gwadar Port was an important project of CPEC project. He said Pakistan and China would work together for making Gwadar Free Trade Zone.

He said a 20-member delegation comprising Balochistan elders will visit China.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, MOUs on different projects were signed between Pakistan and Chinese authorities.

The PM inaugurated a string of development projects for Balochistan including a dam, Gwadar Free Zone, Business Complex and a University.

The other projects included inauguration of a school at Gwadar that has been gifted by the Communist Party of China. It has been constructed at a cost of $400,000 in a low-income area in six months period. He also inaugurated the Shadikaur dam, 130 kms from Pasni and 70 kms from Gwadar with a storage capacity of 45000 acre feet. Work on the project began in June 2011 and the lake covers an area of 1813 sq km.

The PM also unveiled a plaque for the University of Gwadar that would provide quality higher education to the people.