Beloved Brother Balochistan

The signing of MoUs between Punjab and Balochistan governments will further improve inter-provincial harmony and an atmosphere of brotherhood, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while talking to journalists after three memorandums of understanding were signed between Punjab and Balochistan governments on Thursday for promotion of cooperation in solid waste management, urban development and parks and horticulture sectors.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest on the occasion. Provincial Minister for Law and Local Government Rana Sanaullah Khan and Balochistan Minister for Local Government Sardar Mustafa Khan Tareen signed the MoUs under which Punjab government would provide cooperation to the Balochistan government in solid waste management, urban development and parks and horticulture sectors in Quetta. Punjab government will also provide expertise to Balochistan government in these sectors. Punjab government will provide all out facilities to Balochistan government in disposal of solid waste in Quetta while the urban unit of Punjab government will provide necessary skill to the Balochistan government in master planning of the cities, solution of problems through information and communication and monitoring of development schemes. Similarly, Parks and Horticulture Authority would provide expertise to the Balochistan government regarding development of parks and horticulture.

He said that the recent visit of local government minister of Balochistan to Lahore has strengthened the relations between the provincial governments. He said that Balochistan government headed by Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch is striving for improving the situation in the province. He said that Punjab government will do its best for Balochistan and is ready to serve the Balochi brethren. He said that people of Punjab donated generously for the relief and assistance of earthquake-hit people of Awaran and relief items worth crores of rupees were sent to the area. He said that quilts and blankets were also arranged for the calamity-stricken people under winter package. He said that Punjab cabinet, assembly members of Muslim League-N, philanthropists and officers and staff of the provincial government also made generous donations for the help and assistance of the earthquake- hit people of Balochistan. He said that help and assistance to the people of Balochistan in the hour of need was a national responsibility which was discharged efficiently and it has helped improve mutual relations.

Shahbaz Sharif said that agreements signed between Punjab and Balochistan governments for the promotion of mutual cooperation would further improve ties between the two provinces. He said that Punjab government is ready to extend cooperation to other provincial governments as being a bigger province, Punjab has a greater responsibility. He said that funds have been allocated for setting up a cardiac hospital in Balochistan and now Balochistan government should make further progress so that the project of hospital could be completed. Shahbaz Sharif said that holding of local bodies’ polls in Balochistan is a welcome step and all its credit goes to Balochistan government and the people. However, he said, the matters regarding conduct of local bodies polls in Punjab is up to the judiciary and Election Commission has informed the Supreme Court that LB polls cannot be held within the deadline. He said that every decision of the Election Commission would be implemented.

Speaking on the occasion, Local Government Minister of Balochistan Sardar Mustafa Khan Tareen said that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and his colleagues have extended deep respect and love to the Baloch delegation which would further strengthen brotherhood between the provinces. He said that Balochistan now has a democratic government in the real sense which will make up for the excesses committed in the past. He said that transfer of power to the genuine public representatives of Balochi people by the prime minister is unprecedented. He said that he has seen and learnt a lot in Punjab and Lahore is indeed making rapid progress. He expressed the hope that Punjab would have made more progress when he came to Lahore next time. He said that Shahbaz Sharif and his team were the first to reach the earthquake affected people of Balochistan and took part in relief activities. He said that the way Shahbaz Sharif took an active part in relief operation for earthquake people shows that his heart beats in unison with the people of Balochistan and this attitude has proved very helpful in the promotion of mutual unity, brotherhood and interprovincial harmony. He said that earlier, people were running away from Balochistan but now the situation is different and they are talking of unity and peace. He thanked Shahbaz Sharif for extending cooperation in different sectors and said that it is a good beginning and would help in progress of the country.

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