Balochistan to get first economic zone under CPEC: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD  - Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), industrial collaboration will be enhanced and special economic zones will be set up in all parts of the country with Balochistan to get the first economic zone.

Addressing a press briefing here on Sunday, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said establishment of economic zone in Balochistan will create jobs and bring prosperity in the province.

He said Balochistan will get maximum benefit out of the CPEC project.

He said the CPEC was not just a road but it was an umbrella under which different projects would be started. Under the bilateral energy cooperation, projects worth 37 billion dollars will be started.
These projects will yield 16,400 MW of electricity.

The minister said that out of 16,400 MW around 10,400 MW power projects had been selected as early harvest projects which would be completed by 2018.

He said Pak-China friendship fell among those consensual points that united the whole nation and whichever government remained in power in Pakistan, no one ever differed from the fact that this was the strong pillar of country's foreign policy.

The minister said that Chinese president was visiting Pakistan after 9 years. He attached good hopes with the visit of Chinese president and said that China and Pakistan were moving forward and going to enter in historic economic partnership.

Ahsan said governments of all times in Pakistan kept good relations with China but unfortunately did not focus on economic coordination.
He said the present government had taken important steps in that direction and with the help of China, Pakistan would become Asian tiger within few years.

The minister said that during the visit of Chinese president MoUs worth 45 billion dollars will be signed in the sectors of energy, basic infrastructures, industrial collaborations and other sectors under CPEC.

Ahsan said Kachi Canal project in Balochistan would be completed in the current year which would irrigate around 100,000 acres of land in the province.

He said under economic coordination, China would also relocate some of its industries from China to Pakistan that will create thousands of jobs and would also contribute in GDP of the country.

< The Nation >

Iran to supply 2,000 MW power to Balochistan

Iran has agreed to supply 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Balochistan out of which 1,000 MW electricity will be utilised in the Gwadar project while the remaining 1,000 MW will be supplied to the rest of the province.

This was stated by Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik during a joint press conference with Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province Governor Aqai Ali Osat Hashmi on Monday.

The CM said that he has invited Iranian entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan’s fisheries, industry, and mining sectors. He also expressed hope that the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project will be implemented soon.

Speaking about the prevention of border incidents, Dr Malik said that border committees of the two countries will meet on January 27 and 28 to discuss necessary measures.

On the other hand, the Iranian governor said that Pakistan accords much importance to its relations with Pakistan, adding that some mischievous elements want to create disturbance on the border to harm Pakistan-Iran relations.

< Pakistan Today >

Balochistan completes third phase of LG polls

QUETTA: With the election on 612 seats reserved for labourers and peasants, the third phase of local government elections was completed in Balochistan on Wednesday in a peaceful manner amid heavy security.

Balochistan is the only province in the country which has complied with a Supreme Court order regarding local bodies elections.

Of the 1,486 seats reserved for labourers and peasants, candidates on 769 had already been elected unopposed while 105 seats are vacant because no nomination paper was filed in Awaran and parts of Turbat and Panjgur.

Tough competition was witnessed on six seats in the Quetta Metropolitan Cor­pora­tion and eight in the Quetta District Council where the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and All Parties Democratic Alliance (APDA) comprising the PML-N, both factions of the JUI, PPP, ANP and Hazara Democratic Party were in the run.

Both panels have strong candidates for the top slots of the corporation and council.

The PML-N and PkMAP, coalition partners in the provincial government, are fighting for the post of mayor and district council chairman.

According to unofficial results, the PkMAP and APDA have won three seats each in the Quetta Metro­politan Corporation and four seats each in the District Council.

Dr Kalimullah, Jamshed Dotani and Yousaf Khan of the PkMAP and Nadir Ali, Faiz Lehri and Yahya Khan Nasar of the APDA have won the elections.

Observers believe that both Kalimullah Khan and Yahya Khan Nasar could be candidates for the post of Quetta mayor.

Provincial Election Commissioner Syed Sultan Bayizeed said that polling was held throughout the province peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.

Heavy contingents of police and other security forces were deployed at 338 polling stations.

Later addressing a press conference, APDA leaders Wahid Agha, Rasheed Nasir, Aslam Rind and Raza Wakeel demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold elections for the offices of mayor, deputy mayor, chairman and deputy chairman of all local bodies’ institutions immediately.

< Dawn >

Govt committed to development of Balochistan: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that his government was committed to the development of Balochistan with a resolve to bring it at par with the developed areas of the country.

Talking to a group of students from Loralai District at the Prime Minister’s House, Nawaz Sharif said that over the years Balochistan was neglected, adding that the province was not only rich in natural resources but also had an equally talented youth.

He said that the nation was proud of its young generation that would help Pakistan get its rightful place in the comity of nations with honour and dignity.

The prime minister said that the government would put in all resources to ensure that the children of Balochistan get quality education. He asked the students to focus on their education and lauded their calibre.

He also listened to a number of suggestions put forth by the students in order to create a proper learning environment at the Loralai School. The prime minister announced Rs 15 million for the school and said that he would announce more funds for the students when he will visit Balochistan.

He asked the students to study hard as their parents, despite their limited resources, were spending huge amount of money on their education and grooming. He also asked the school authorities to provide scholarships to the outstanding students.

The prime minister said that the young students were the future of the country and would bring a good name to the nation, adding that the children of Balochistan were equally good as compared to others across the country and assured them that they would be provided with the best possible facilities. Nawaz Sharif directed Senator Sardar Yaqoob Nasir to submit a report to him for and address problems of the school. Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid accompanied the prime minister.

< Daily Times >

Punjab package for Balochistan

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that inter-provincial harmony will improve due to visit of students of Cadet College Qila Saifullah Balochistan. 

He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of students of Cadet College Qila Saifullah Baluchistan who called on him under the leadership of Vice Principal Abdul Khaliq. He said that the people of Punjab had sentiments of love and brotherhood for their Baloch brethren. 

Shahbaz Sharif announced laptops for the teachers and students of the college. He also announced water filteration plant for the college, Rs30 lakh for the management of college, Rs40 lakh for construction of swimming pool, Rs30 lakh for setting up junior school and a bus for students of Cadet College Qila Saifullah Baluchistan.

The chief minister said that Punjab government had given Rs11 billion of its share to Balochistan in NFC Award and a total of Rs55b of its share had been given to Balochistan during five years.  He said that special quota for students of Balochistan had been allocated in educational institutions of Punjab.

Addressing the students, Shahbaz Sharif said that no nation could progress or achieve a respectable place without education. He said that education, health and law& order are linked with each other.  The Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps for the improvement of education system and empowering the youth which have yielded very encouraging and positive results, he added. 

The chief minister said that allocation of special quota for the students of Balochistan was one of the important steps taken in education sector in Punjab.  He said every child has right over education and Punjab government is providing this right to them. 

The chief minister said that youth would have to play their active role along with government. He said that our elders sacrificed lakhs of precious lives for the creation of Pakistan. He said that Pakistan was achieved so that there should be supremacy of justice, honesty and equality. 

“Unfortunately, corruption, safarish, nepotism and Bradrism have been promoted in the country. Due to four martial laws, the country is lagging far behind. The country is for all of us and we all will have to play our role for its progress,” the CM held.

He said that Punjab government had given gift of a cardiac center to Balochistan and two billion rupees had been released for its construction. The students and teachers of cadet collage paid tribute to the development vision of Shahbaz Sharif and said that Punjab had played the role of elder brother in the real sense.

< The Nation >

In Pictures: Passing out parade of Balochistan recruits

A passing out parade of Baloch recruits in Pakistan Army was held in Quetta on Tuesday.  The passing out parade ceremony began with recitation of Quran. Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif attended the passing out parade as the Chief Guest. Chief Minister of Balocistan Abdul Malik Baloch was also present on this occasion. The vigilant contingent of Pakistan Army soldiers carried out a march past at the parade ceremony. At the event, as many as 580 Pakistan Army soldiers took an oath. 

Crime rate in Balochistan down by 22 per cent: CM

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Balochistan Chief Minister addressing a press conference

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has claimed that crime graph in the province has dropped by 22 per cent during the current year.

He was speaking during a session of the Balochistan Assembly held on Friday with Speaker Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali in the chair.

Concluding the debate on law and order, Malik Baloch urged legislators not to hurl corruption allegations on him, adding that if any member had any proof against him he should present it before the public.

He said security situation in the province could not be improved overnight.

The house witnessed pandemonium when treasury and opposition members traded hot words on the Reko Diq gold-cum-copper project.

During his speech, the chief minister referred to his latest news conference at which he had presented details about the Reko Diq project and categorically announced that he would not compromise on natural resources of Balochistan.

On the law and order issue, he said in 2013 a total of 234 incidents of crime occurred, 357 people were killed. And in 2014, he added, 151 incidents of crime had occurred and 156 people were killed. Kidnapping and targeted killings have decreased by 30pc. He said there was reduction also in the cases of dumping of mutilated bodies.

The chief minister said that law-enforcement agencies had traced the people involved in burning of Ziarat Residency, killing of police officer Aamir Mohammad, bomb blasts on Alamdar Road, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University and Taftan town.

He said 600 people had been recruited in law-enforcement agencies. Bullet-proof vehicles had been provided to deputy superintendents of police and hundreds of police personnel were being trained by the army, he added.

< Dawn >

Rs1 billion for cameras, scanner gates in Quetta

Balochistan government has allocated one billion rupees for the installation of 2,500 surveillance cameras and six security gates in the Quetta Valley for improving the law and order.

The Information Technology Department of Balochistan has finalised the proposals for installing security cameras at selected areas and six scanner gates at entry and exist points of Quetta.

“We believe in using modern technology for crime control and security,” Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch told The Express Tribune. “This will help to control the law and order situation in Quetta which has witnessed series of tragic incidents in recent months,” he added.

Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said government has hired NESPAK as consultant, which would soon invite international bids for this project. “At least Rs600 million have been allocated for each security camera and gate,” he said.

Earlier talking to the media regarding the security situation the chief minister said that the Balochistan government has already announced motorcycle mounted police force for Quetta.

The CM said that the provincial government has revised its security plan for Quetta after these incidents. “We would be the first one using such modern technology in Quetta and spending a huge amount,” he said.
Drought relief

The Balochistan government has allocated one billion rupees for the drought hit areas of the province, while two committees have been constituted to monitor the relief work, Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said on Wednesday.

One committee will have public representatives, including Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Advisor to CM on Livestock Ubaidullah Babat, while the other will have deputy commissioners of the drought hit districts, he said. “There have been no rains in Zhob, Musa Khail, Kohlu, Barkhan and Dera Bugti which have affected the agriculture and livestock of these districts. We want to provide relief to people of these calamity hit areas,” he said speaking at a briefing by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said that Balochistan was not receiving enough rains due to global warming and climate change.

The committees would visit all the drought hit areas and make an assessment before the start of relief work. “There had been large scale corruption in Balochistan in the name of drought and natural disaster. We want a transparent process of distribution of relief that is why two separate committees were formed,” he said.

< Express Tribune >

Balochistan's stolen antiques recovered from Rome

QUETTA: Italian police has recovered from Rome antiques stolen from Balochistan's Mehrgarh area, said a statement issued by the provincial government.

Mehrgarh, which is located in Bolan district, has a history of civilisation that goes back to thousands of years.

The Balochistan government said late on Tuesday that the Italian police had on Monday recovered the antiques from Rome, which were stolen from Mehrgarh.

The government did not give details about any arrests in relation to the theft or the value of the antiques. The recovered antiques are said to be thousands of years old and are considered highly valuable in the international market, the statement said.

Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch expressed pleasure over the recovery of the antiques and directed Secretary Archives to contact the Pakistani embassy in Rome for an immediate return of the antiques.

Prominent local historian Noor Khan Mohammad Hassani told Dawn that there was no mechanism in place to guard antiques in Balochistan.

"People have stolen artifacts and material that represents our history, our identity," Hassani said, adding that certain people were stealing antiquities from Balochistan to sell them in the international market.

Mehrgarh is regarded as among the oldest civilisations across the globe, with historians saying it could be at least eight thousand years old.

< Dawn >

Balochistan govt regularises services of lady health workers

QUETTA: The Balochis­tan government has regularised the services of all lady health supervisors, lady hea­lth workers, account supervisors and drivers who have been working on an ad hoc basis in the National Prog­ramme for Family Planning and Primary Heath Care in 30 districts of the province.

According to a notification issued by the health department, the services of these employees have been made permanent since July 1, 2012.

The decision has been made in accordance with orders of the Supreme Court.

The districts where services of these employees have been regularised are Quetta, Pishin, Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Dera Bugti, Kohlu, Barkhan, Loralai, Musa Khail, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar, Sibi, Harnai, Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Kechhi, Jhal Magsi, Zhob, Sherani, Washuk and Ziarat.

< Dawn >

Balochistan govt announces Rs 1 billion for drought-hit areas

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on Wednesday said that the provincial government has allocated one billion rupees for the drought-hit areas of Balochistan.

Addressing a press conference at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) office, the chief minister said that a committee under the leadership of Balochistan Minister for Disaster and Home Sarfraz Bugti and Adviser to Chief Minister on Livestock Ubaidullah Babad has been constituted to address the problems of the people of drought-hit areas.

“There have been no rains in Zhob, Musa Khail, Kohlu, Barkhan and Dera Bugti which had drastically affected the agriculture and livestock of these districts. Agriculture and livestock are two main sources of income for the people of these areas,” he added.

Responding to a question, Baloch said that the government does not have enough resources to construct dams or water reservoirs in Balochistan. “At least 200 PC-1s have been prepared for the construction of medium-sized dams to end the water crisis but we do not have enough resources to allocate such a huge amount,” he added.

He said that the water shortage is severe from Zhob to Khuzdar, where ground level water has been rapidly declining. “People have to dig over 1,000 feet deep now,” he said. The chief minister also said that the local administration would launch a campaign against illegal tube well connections in Quetta.

< Daily Times >

Balochistan to give land for Sibi University and HEC Centre

ISLAMABAD: The Balochistan government has issued directions for allotment of land in the cities of Sibi and Quetta for the establishment of Sibi University and HEC Regional Centre in Quetta, respectively.

The decision comes after a request from Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed for allocation of land as the commission has been instrumental in promoting higher education for youths in less-developed areas. In order to achieve this target, the HEC upgraded the existing higher education institutions in its first phase and also recommended establishment of new institutions in different parts of the country on a need basis.

To this effect, a detailed feasibility study was carried out in 2007 to assess the potential of new universities and sub-campuses of existing universities in each district of Balochistan. Towns of Turbat, Loralai and Sibi were found suitable for the establishment of new universities. Accordingly, the University of Turbat and University of Loralai have been established and are in development phase while the construction of University of Sibi has been proposed during the current year. Now that the land will be allotted, development work will be able to begin. Likewise, the land allotment for HEC Regional Centre will also enable construction work to start.

< Daily Times >

Fighting climate change: AJK, Balochistan governments ink agreement

MUZAFFARABAD: The forest departments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Balochistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to share knowledge and research work on forestry, wildlife and fisheries with each other.

The MoU was signed by AJK Forest Minister Sardar Javid Ayub and Balochistan Forest Minister Obaidullah Jan on Saturday during a ceremony attended by several senior officials from both sides.

On the occasion, Jan said sharing knowledge and expertise with the forest department of AJK is a privilege for them as such initiatives will bridge the gap between the people of Balochistan and AJK.

“The thick forests of AJK are a source of inspiration for us and we will try to promote forestation drives in the hilly areas of our own province as well following the pattern of the AJK forest department,” Jan said.
The AJK minister said the forest department has taken the initiative of signing the MoU to highlight the importance of forests. “The agreement is proof that the role of forests in the preservation of ecological balance is vital and it is our collective responsibility to focus on forestation in the country. Without the joint collaboration, the rising issue of climate change will not be adequately addressed,” Ayub commented.

AJK Forest Secretary Farhat Ali Mir said besides the exchange of both forest officers and research teams, the MoU would also help promote national integration between Balochistan and AJK.

< Express Tribune >

NAB Balochistan recovers Rs94mn during last three months

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan has recovered Rs94.122 million during the period from April to June this year.

According a newsletter of the Regional Bureau on Saturday, during the past quarter (April to June 2014), the NAB Balochistan arrested 14 accused persons who were involved in different corruption cases. The Bureau filed five corruption references in the Accountability Court Balochistan.

During the past quarter, NAB Balochistan received 268 complaints, out of these, 88 complaints were processed and converted into Complaints Verification (CVs), 47 complaints linked with the cases already under investigation and 14 complaints referred to the relevant departments.

The Bureau authorized 35 fresh inquiries during the past quarter and converted 13 inquiries into investigation. Out of these 13 investigations, the Regional Bureau converted three investigations into references while other cases are under Investigation.

The newsletter also shed light on Plea Bargain (PB) option given in National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999 under Section 25 (b).

The newsletter states, there is a misconception about the 'Plea-Bargain'. The concept has been borrowed from the American Criminal Practice Code where Attorney General is vested with discretion of prosecution and even dropping of charge/charges.

However with reference to NAO, the Plea Bargain option is exercised by the accused at his own accord. It is a plea of guilty in exchange for lesser punishment. Such a person is disqualified from holding public office and obtaining loan from bank.

Being deemed to be guilty only sentence of imprisonment is waived. The allegation of discrimination while deciding Plea bargain amount is not true also as this matter is decided by plea bargain committee comprising of banking and legal experts.

The official document quoting DG NAB Balochistan says, many weak people come to the NAB with complaints against powerful people with a hope to get their right. Complaints come to the NAB from different sources, these complaints are verified and after verification NAB tries its best to provide relief and get justice for the victim.

NAB is committed to eradicate corruption from the society and NAB officers are working hard with sagacity for this noble cause of curbing corruption.

< Business Recorder >

Govt. taking measures for promoting fisheries sector in Balochistan

The Government of Balochistan is taking various measures for promotion and development of fisheries sector in the province.

According to Radio Pakistan quoting official sources that the government has allocated more than 549 million rupees for the development of fisheries sector in financial year 2014-2015.

Sources said that the Pasni fish processing unit would be functional at the cost of 25 Million rupees during the financial year 2014-2015. While the boats used for fishing would be upgraded.

Eight workshops will be set up for repairing of boats in the coastal area of Balochistan.Sources said loans will also be provided to the fishermen on easy installments for the development of fishing in the province.

< Aaj TV >

Private Money Lending Bill moved in Balochistan Assembly

QUETTA: The Prohibition of Private Money Lending Bill 2014 moved in Balochistan Assembly here on Monday.

The assembly session held with Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali in chair. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal tabled Prohibition of Private Money Lending Bill 2014. The assembly gave the bill exemption from Balochistan Rules and Conduct of Business 1975.

Speaking in the house, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F MPA, Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran said that private money lending had financially destroyed several families in Balochistan.

He emphasized the need to put ban on private money lending, adding that it would be responsibility of the government to implement the law in letter and spirit that would be passed by the Balochistan Assembly against private money lending.

Minister Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal on behalf of Advisor to Chief Minister on Finance, Mir Khalid Langov put Balochistan Audit Report 2013-14 on the desks of the members of assembly. Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali directed to hand over the audit report to Public Accounts Committee.

Meanwhile, Minister for Planning and Development, Dr. Hamid Khan Achakzai told the house that work on several ongoing road projects continued in different areas including Shahrag, Harani, Dera Allahyar, Hair Din, Osta Muhammad and others.

< AJJ TV >

Quaid-i-Azam’s Residency restored to its original shape

ZIARAT: Located in the mountainous Ziarat valley, Quaid-i-Azam’s Residency, which was destroyed by the militants in  June 2013, has been restored to its original glory.

The construction work, which was initiated under the supervision of renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada, was completed in record four months.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the restored building of the Residency on Wednesday.

Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Shareef, federal ministers Abdul Qadir Baloch, Jam Kamal Khan and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri,Balochistan Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, senior minister and PML-N Balochistan president Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri, Commander Southern Command Lt Gen. Nasser Khan Janjua, cabinet members, MPAs and provincial chief secretary  Saifullah Chatha were also present.

Ziarat Residency, a rest house used by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his last days, was burnt to ashes when miscreants stormed it on the night between June 13 and 14, 2013.

The provincial government did not accept the offer by the Federal Government and donors for the construction of the national monument.

“Qaid’s Residency has been restored to its original shape at a cost of Rs 140 million,” said the chief secretary while briefing the prime minister.

Under the supervision of Nayyar Ali Dada, execution committee worked day and night to rehabilitate the building, he added.

He noted that the terrorist act had almost raised 8,000 square feet area of the building. Only some material, including stones used in the walls and metal tubs etc remained safe.

“Diyar, Teak and some other precious wood has been used in the reconstruction of the building,” he added.

< Aaj News >

Kohlu-Dera Bugti area of Balochistan: E&P companies restart activities

Following an effective methodology adopted by the government, exploration and production (E&P) companies have restarted oil and gas exploration activities in the militancy-infested Kohlu-Dera Bugti area of Balochistan. The government has of late adopted an effective strategy to tap Pakistan''s biggest gas reserves of about 22 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) in the Kohlu-Dera Bugti area of Balochistan, which have the potential commercial value of $110 billion and realistic value of $77 billion and will last for 100 years.

"We are currently making a strategy for initiating gas exploration in district Kohlu and other potential areas with huge oil and gas reserves after a long wait for easing of the tension and armed resistance of the followers of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti following his killing in a military operation on August 26, 2006," a senior government official told Business Recorder here on Thursday.

The new chief of Mari tribe Nawab Changez Khan Mari, Mir Jam Kamal Khan, State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, and PML-N Balochistan chapter chief Sardar Sanaullah Zehri have played an effective role in normalising the situation, which has enabled the E&P companies like state-run OGDCL, Mari Petroleum Limited and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) to restart operations in the region," the official added.

"The US-based Occidental Petroleum Corporation prepared a seismic report of Kohlu district costing $20 million in 1992-93 and confided to the then government that the area has the potential gas reserves of 22 trillion cubic feet, which is enough for the next 100 years. But tension between Nawab Akber Bugti and the then regime had led to the stoppage of the initiation of exploration activities.

Out of the 22 TFC, the official said, 15 TFC gas reserves are easily recoverable. Kohlu district is located some 20 kilometers from Sui, where gas reserves of eight TFC were discovered some 50 years back. Pakistan has so far utilised only five TFC of gas reserves of the Sui gas field in 50 years while five TFC gas reserves are yet to be utilised. In the past, the government failed to launch exploration activities in Kohlu, Dera Bugti and Barkhan areas of the Balochistan because of the armed resistance by the followers of Nawab Bugti.

The government has awarded an exploration license to the Oil and Gas Company Limited (OGDCL) on December 29, 2004 of Block No 2968-3 of Kohlu covering an area of 2459.11 sq km, located in Kohlu and Dera Bugti agencies, district Barkhan of Balochistan. The block falls in the prospective Zone-II, Kohlu. This is a joint venture of the OGDCL and MGCL with working interest shares: OGDCL: 60 percent (Operator) and MGCL: 40 percent.

OGDCL had constructed an 80-kilometer long road which connected Kup -a far-flung area of Kohlu- with the main highway to start the exploration activities in the area, official said and added that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is personally monitoring the situation and has directed the OGDCL and other companies to materialise these projects as early as possible. For the exploration activities, the government has not only engaged local politicians and tribal leaders but has also started a number of health, education, socio-economic projects for welfare of the locals.

< Business Recorder >

World Bank to provide Rs 10.57 million to Balochistan Anti-Corruption Dept

QUETTA: The World Bank under its Governance Support Project will provide Rs 10.57 million assistance to the Anti-Corruption Department of Balochistan, official sources said on Friday.

Mohammad Zaman Khan, Project Director Governance Support Program has signed an agreement with Noor Bashar Sami, Director Anti-Corruption Department of Balochistan here. The assistance aims at providing latest technology to the Anti-Corruption Department, capacity building of the staff and financial aid. The step would help ensure good governance and ending corruption from the society. Under the project to be completed under the supervision of World Bank call centres would be established so that citizen’s complainants against the corruption could be tackled effectively.

A website in this connection would be established to provide forum to the citizens for lodging their online complaints. Apart from this, media campaign would be launched to create awareness about corruption. The project would also focus on the formation of inter-provincial coordination forum in order to implement on the success stories and experiences of other provinces.

< The News >

Balochistan schools to be linked with GPS, GIS

QUETTA: The Balochistan government is going to link its schools with GPS and GIS system to monitor the attendance of teachers and students at educational institutions.

This was said by Advisor to Chief Minister on Education, Sardar Raza Muhammad Baraich while speaking at a "Single School Teacher" seminar organised by non-governmental organization, Center for Peace and Development (CPD) here.

He said that reforms were being introduced in education system of Balochistan. "We are going to install GPS, GIS and Finger Prints Reading systems at government-run schools to monitor the attendance of teachers and students," he said adding that E-Learning Programme through video conference would also be introduced at schools.

He said that presently 1.1 million children were enrolled at schools while 2.2 million children were still out of schools.

He said that only 58,000 students out of total 1.1 million studying at schools reached Matriculate level and remaining left their schooling. He said that stakeholders and the community would have to jointly play their role to overcome the issue of dropout of students from schools.

"Only 30,000 teachers out of total 57,000 of Balochistan professionally are trained. Therefore, the Balochistan government decided to arrange their professional training courses during summer vacations," he said.

National Party MPA, Dr Shama Ishaq, National Party leader, Dr Ishaq Baloch, Rahat Malik, Executive Director CPD, Nasrullah Khan Baraich, Additional Secretary Education, Muhammad Tayyab Lehri and Saira Aata also attended the ceremony.

< Business Recorder >