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 >

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. 

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 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 >

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 >

Punjab to fund Balochistan projects

LAHORE - On the special directions of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the Punjab government will provide cooperation for construction of two parks and designing and renovation of an important road for the people of Balochistan.

During the visit of Balochistan Chief Minister, Dr Abdul Maalik to Lahore, it was decided that Punjab government will assist Balochistan government in designing and renovation of two parks and airport road in Quetta.

The Punjab chief minister Punjab has ordered immediate implementation of the decision regarding designing and renovation of airport road and construction of two parks in Quetta. Punjab government will provide all funds in this regard and it would be a gift for the people of Quetta.

Meanwhile, former federal minister Ejazul Haq met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here on Friday. Political situation of the country and national issues were discussed in the meeting, according to an official handout,

Meanwhile, Assembly members of various districts called on the Punjab chief minister and informed him about the pace of ongoing development projects in their respective areas.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that service to the people was the pivot of politics of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and it is serving the people of Punjab with honesty and commitment for the last five and a half years. He said that mega projects worth billions of rupees had been executed across the province. He said Punjab was rich in mineral resources which could be utilised for achieving the goal of self-sufficiency.  He said that a solid strategy has been adopted for fully benefiting from mineral wealth in the province. He said that a number of welfare programmes were continuing successfully for bringing the deprived segments of the society into national mainstream.  Those who met the Chief Minister included Syed Muhammad Asghar Shah, Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, Muhammad Afzal Khokhar and Rais Mehbob Ahmad.

< The Nation >

Uch-II power project launched in Balochistan

QUETTA: Significant development has made to end energy crisis in the country, a power project Uch power project-II of capacity to generate 404 megawatts electricity inaugurated in Balochistan province on Monday.


Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif launched the project during his visit to Balochistan in Dera Murad Jamali of the province.vNawaz Sharif, while addressing to the inauguration ceremony, said that the federal government will be able to counter power shortage in next three years.

A French company GDF-SUEZ has constructed the plant for increasing the electricity generation capacity of Uch power plant up to 990 megawatts.

He said that new power lines will be installed in Nasirabad and Sibi division areas during the ongoing development projects in Balochistan. The prime minister urged the unity of all institutions in order to take prosperity in the country.

< The News Tribe >

WFP, Balochistan Govt to assist malnourished kids, women

The World Food Programme (WFP) and Baluchistan government jointly launched a project to assist around 108,271 malnourished children, pregnant and lactating women suffering to prevent stunting and micronutrient deficiencies.

The project would be implemented with collaboration of Balochistan Department of Health from 2013 to 2015 in nine districts of Balochistan including Zhob, Musakhel, Lora Lai,Qilla Saifullah, Pishin, Nushki, Kharan, Washuk, Chagai by providing them food supplements through Lady Health Workers (LHWs).

It would also prevent their intergenerational transmission using locally produced specialized nutritious products and promoting appropriate infant and young child feeding practices utilizing effective behavior change communication strategies.

Balochistan is the second most affected province, where only 36.5% of the population were food secure. 33.9% were food insecure without hunger, Nicole CARN, World Food Programme (WFP) Chief in Balochistan told APP.

In response to the nutrition situation in Balochistan, WFP has been assisting the Health Department of Balochistan to address the issue of malnutrition through Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), she added.

This will also contribute to reducing the incidence of low birth weight as maternal nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women will be improved.

Out of 32 districts in Balochistan, there are nine districts where Balochistan Nutrition Cell, along with WFP was working to address the issue of malnutrition.—APP

< Pakistan Observer >

Good news for Sindh, Balochistan

ISLAMABAD - Education Sector Plans for Sindh and Balochistan were endorsed by the representatives of 10 development organisations and agencies at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) as a prerequisite to seek US $100 million from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to help Pakistan achieve education-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Education Minister Balochistan, Sardar Raza Muhammad Barrech, Secretary Education Balochistan Ghulam Ali Baluch and the Additional Chief Secretary Sindh Fazlullah Pechuho witnessed the signing ceremony on Tuesday. The representatives of the European Union, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Australian Government's Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), German Aid Agency (GIZ), United Kingdom's Department for International Aid (DFID) World Bank, UNESCO and UNICEF signed the endorsement document.

The GPE had indicated a grant of US $100 million for programme implementation of the education sector plans in Sindh and Balochistan. Of this, Sindh will receive $66 million and Balochistan will get $34 million. The World Bank is the supervising entity for both Sindh and Balochistan, whereas the European Union and UNICEF are the coordinating entities for Sindh and Balochistan respectively.

"Today is a historic day for the government and people of Balochistan as along with our partners we have arrived at the same page and tied ourselves to a common objective to transform Balochistan into an educated and progressive province of Pakistan within a short period of five years," said Sardar Raza Muhammad, Education Minister Balochistan. "Our education system direly needed a strategic direction coupled with an effective implementation plan. This Education Sector Plan will provide that and we are immensely grateful to all our partners as it has been possible only with your support."

The government of Balochistan aims to utilise the GPE grant for upgrading 800 primary schools to middle schools and 100 middle schools to higher secondary schools which will help increase enrolment and reduce dropout rates.

Additional Chief Secretary Sindh Fazalullah Pechuho said, "We identified the need for a new Education Sector Plan for Sindh in 2012. As a result of a consultative and comprehensive process which followed during the next two years, we have managed to formulate this plan, with support of the development partners including GPE. We are thankful to all those who are present here for endorsing this document."

With the help of the GPE grant, the Government of Sindh aims to increase the Net Enrolment Rate (NER) for 2014-2018 for Katchi from 32 to 45 per cent; for Primary from 59 to 77 per cent; for Middle from 32 to 50 per cent; for Secondary from 23 to 35 per cent and for Higher Secondary from 19 to 30 per cent.
"The EU welcomes the adoption of the Education Sector Plans, which we have contributed to.  These plans will form the basis for free and compulsory education for all as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan," said the European Union Ambassador, Lars Gunnar Wigemark.  "Establishing a roadmap for education in the respective provinces, the Education Sector Plans include clear accountability mechanisms for their implementation. The EU and other development partners will be providing support to the respective education departments to ensure the implementation of the Education Sector Plans".

Speaking on the occasion, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Dan Rohrmann said, "The development partners' endorsement of the two provincial Education Sector Plans marks a milestone in the Millennium Development Goals Acceleration Framework. This is also a significant leap forward in the context of the National Plan of Action which the Prime Minister of Pakistan presented in the UN General Assembly Education Ministerial Meeting last year.

In addition to that Pakistan has selected the enrolment rate as an indicator for the MDG Acceleration Framework. Since 2015 is the year for achieving the MDGs and Education for All, it is critical that we accelerate efforts for education in the country."

The Education Sector Plans have been developed through a participatory and transparent process and provide an impetus for free and compulsory education as guaranteed by Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. These will establish a roadmap for education in the respective provinces, with clear accountability mechanisms for implementing various components of the programme. The development partners will be providing technical support to the respective education departments in effective implementation of the plans.

< The Nation >

2,000 girls schools to be inaugurated in Balochistan

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has made prominent move for promoting education as announced to establish 2,000 girls schools across the province.

Girls schools will be established in remote and backward areas of the Balochistan province by the funding of 34 million dollars by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Global Partnership .

The Chief Minister Balochistan’s advisor on Education, Sardar Raza Muhammad Bareech said that for this purpose a plan has already been developed with the financial and technical support of UNICEF other organisation to deliver educational facilities to all the students of province.

Other various organizations and donor agencies have permitted the Balochistan Education Sector Plan to deliver quality of education, he added.

Moreover, 300 primary and middle schools will be upgraded under new plan; while around 2.3 million children are deprived of educational facilities in the province.

The completion time of the projects has been estimated within 3 years while the schools will be built within 2 kilometres of each other.

According to Balochistan government’s official, UNICEF is also working on other plans like Human Resource Information Data, Education Management Information System and Geological Information System of Balochistan Education Department.

< The News Tribe >

Measures in Balochistan’s mineral sector to generate 10,000 jobs

The marble city being established at Loralai Balochistan to process marble and granite, is expected to generate more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. The concerned authorities, as part of its measures to enhance production of minerals from Balochistan, would also introduce one-common facility and training center. Official sources on Sunday said Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) has introduced mechanised quarrying of marble/ limestone in Balochistan and also established one machinery pool and five quarrying projects in collaboration with private lease-holders.

Giving details about mineral exploration projects launched in Balochistan province during last five years, the sources said these included public sector project namely Balochistan Copper-Gold project at Reko-Diq area, district Chagai while about 95 prospecting/ exploration licences were granted in private sector for different minerals.

During the period, the sources said Geological Survey of Pakistan conducted geological mapping/ mineral investigation in different districts of Balochistan.

< The Nation >

EU funded ‘Balochistan Community Development Program’ launched

Thursday - Zhob—Balochistan Rural Support Program (BRSP) launched its new project entitled “Balochistan Community Development Program” funded by European Union here on Wednesday. The launching ceremony held at Assembly hall.

Deputy Commissioner Zhob Nazar Muhammad Khetran was the chief guest of the ceremony. Ex-Nazim Molavi Habib ur Rehman, ADC Taj Muhammad Hariphal, Deputy Director Livestock Dr. Baha ul Haq Mandokhail, DHO Dr. Muhammad Shah, Chief Officer Abdul Qadir Tarakai, DDO Education Wazir Khan Nasar, members non-governmental organizations, civil society, media and social figures in a larger number attended the ceremony.

Addressing on the occasion Senior Manager Niamat Jan Miryani, District Program Manager Allah Dad Nasar and CSO Qutab Khan Mandokhail said that the aim and objective of the 36-month “Balochistan Community Development Program (BCDP)” project is to support the Government of Pakistan in reducing the negative impact of economic deprivation, poverty and social inequality and to turn this into opportunities to build and empower resilient communities that participate actively in development activities.

“The projected is initiated in the four focused districts Zhob – UC Badinzai, UC Omza Wyala, UC Garda Babar, UC Hassanzai, UC Sheghalo, Loralai, Jhal Magsi and Khuzdar districts”. They said.

They further said that BRSP has a proven track record spanning over a period of two decades of development programming in Balochistan.

The organization has been working closely with key government and civil society stakeholders on a range of initiatives including relief and recovery, public health, economic development and youth interventions in 23 districts of the province.

Responding to the 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012 floods, and the 2008 earthquake, BRSP served over 2.4 million people in Balochistan through community and public infrastructure rehabilitation, livelihoods recovery, water and sanitation, primary health care, reproductive health, protection, gender & advocacy and youth issues while addressing DRR factors. They added.Deputy Commissioner Nazar Muhammad Khetran while addressing said “BRSP is the sole organization, which is struggling to improve the lives of the people in remote and backward areas of the province”. He appreciated.

Ex-Nazim Molavi Habib ur Rehman also appreciated the services of the organization and said that the newly launched project would help to minimize difficulties of poor communities in for-flung areas. Religious scholar hoped.

< Pakistan Observer >

Prime Minister performs ground-breaking of three highway projects

QUETTA: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif performed the ground-breaking of three highway projects here on Thursday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and CM Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch jointly performed the ground-breaking of Kalat-Quetta-Chaman N-25 Highway.

Governor Balochistan Mohammad Khan Achakzai accompanied the Prime Minister in performing the ground-breaking of Surab-Khushab N-35 Highway Project.

MNA and PkMPA chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai escorted the Prime Minister in the ground breaking of Gwadar-Turbat-Khushab N-8 Highway Project.

Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, Federal Minister SAFRON, Gen. (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch, National Party leader, Mir Hasil Khan Bezinjo, Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua, Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Chief Secretary Balochistan Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad were also present.

The ground-breaking ceremony for Kalat-Quetta-Chaman N-25 Surab-Khushab N-35 and Gwadar-Turbat-Khushab- N-8 was held at Governor House.

< Business Recorder >

In Picture: Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif Visit to Balochistan

The Prime minster visited Quetta on 30 January to assess the situation and confer with provincial leadership on ways and means for bringing about necessary improvements in this respect.

Over 700 development schemes underway in Balochistan

More than seven hundred development schemes will be completed in Balochistan province during the next three years.

According to spokesman of Planning and Development department that the proposed schemes are related to education, health, drinking water, road and irrigation sectors for which over seven billion rupees have been released.

He said that 600 primary and middle schools would be constructed and upgraded in addition to establishing three medical colleges in Loralai, Khuzdar and Turbat.

The spokesman added that one hundred and thirty nine miscellaneous schemes would also be completed during this period.

< Ajj Tv >

200 jobless female youth of Balochistan to be trained

File Photo: Vocational Training Centre established by Pakistan army in Balochistan

Islamabad—Hunnar Training and Entrepreneurship Training Center for Females, Quetta would provide free vocational training to 200 hundred jobless female youth of Balochistan under Prime Minister’s Special Initiative for Hunarmand Pakistan Programme.

Vocational Training would be imparted in five trades including Beautician, Cooking, Tailoring, Handicraft and Fabric Oil Painting.

The programme would be sponsored by Regional Office National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Quetta, said a news release issued here.

The female youth possessing middle or Matric qualification can apply for the six-months vocational training in different trades.

A stipend worth Rs. 2,000 will be paid to the trainee per month on ensuring minimum 80% attendance.

Tool Kits of Tailoring and Beautician trades will be provided free to successful trainees at the end of the course.

For providing maximum convenience to the desirous candidates, classes have been arranged both in morning and evening shifts.

NAVTTC Headquarters Islamabad is trying its level best for bringing reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) according to the demand of national and international labour markets.

Spokesman of NAVTTC said that more skilled people will ensure more economic prosperity in the country.

Therefore NAVTTC Headquarters and its Regional Offices are ensuring timely execution of vocational training programs for jobless youth throughout the country under the Prime Minister’s Special Initiative for Hunarmand Pakistan, he added.—APP

< Pakistan Observer >

Police helpline 15 inaugurated in Quetta

Chief Minister Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch says the provincial government is committed to provide all possible facilities to Police to improve its performance.

He was inaugurating Police Helpline one five in Quetta this morning.

The Chief Minister said the helpline will facilitate the citizens against anti-social elements and restore their confidence. He said that merit would be maintained in the promotions‚ postings and transfers of police officials.

< Radio Pakistan >

Agreement signed for installation of Solar Energy Plant in Balochistan

QUETTA : The Balochistan government signed on Sunday an agreement with a Korean company to set up a 300 megawatt solar power plant at a cost of $700 million. Work on the project will start in this year and complete by 2017.

Provincial Energy Secretary Fawad Hashim Rabbani and Chief Executive Officer of the Korean company Dr Choi Moon-Sok signed the agreement.

Speaking on the occasion, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch expressed the hope that the power plant would help solve the energy problem in the province. “The 300MW solar energy project will cater to the needs of industrial, agricultural, commercial and domestic sectors and boost economy,” he said.

The chief minister invited foreign investors to Balochistan and said great investment opportunities exist in the province.

The provincial government would provide all facilities and security to investors, he added. The government has provided 1,500 acres of land near Quetta for establishing the solar power plant.

< Dawn >