Pakistan’s 130 Billion Rupee Development Budget to Focus on Balochistan in 2024

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary , addressed the book launch ceremony of "Mir Hazar Khan Murree" in Islamabad today. The event was graced by key figures, including Governor of Balochistan Sheikh Jaffer Khan Mandokhel, Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti, Khalid Fareed, and distinguished members of the Balochistan Provincial Assembly.

In his speech, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal paid tribute to the life and struggle of Balochistan’s great son, Mir Hazar Khan Murree. He remarked that the book portrays the life of a man who not only fought for his people but also faced conspiracies aimed at inciting the youth of Balochistan against Pakistan.

Prof Ahsan Iqbal commended Mir Hazar Khan Murree’s return to political wisdom and reconciliation as a commendable example.

Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that Pakistan is an ideological state, established not on the basis of race, language, or geography but on a solid ideological foundation. He said Pakistan's existence and its 77-year history are akin to that of a young state facing crises yet emerging stronger. He further noted that Pakistan has always been in the crosshairs of its enemies due to its unique status as the world's only Islamic nuclear power.

Highlighting the strategic importance of Balochistan, Professor Ahsan Iqbal stated that if Balochistan were not part of Pakistan, it could have faced a situation similar to Afghanistan, which has been devastated by proxy wars of major powers. Citing the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, he pointed out that India's repeated attempts to create unrest in Balochistan have been thwarted, and the youth of Balochistan are well aware of these conspiracies.

The Federal Minister stressed that from 2013 to 2018, the government made the development of Balochistan its top priority and launched several key projects aimed at eradicating the province’s backwardness.

Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that the government laid down thousands of kilometers of roads, including the Karachi-Gwadar Makran Coastal Highway, Gwadar-Quetta Highway, and other coastal roads in Makran, facilitating socio-economic development in the remote areas of Balochistan.

He stated that the 650 km road from Gwadar to Quetta had been completed, significantly improving connectivity within Balochistan and reducing travel times from days to hours. He also noted that 43 brave soldiers of the FWO laid down their lives during the construction of these roads, exposing the true face of those opposing Balochistan’s development.

Discussing educational projects, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal mentioned that comprehensive measures were taken to equip Balochistan’s youth with modern education. 5,000 scholarships were provided to the youth of Balochistan and former FATA to pursue higher education in the best universities of Punjab and Islamabad.

The minister stated that he personally laid the foundation stones for universities in Noshki, Pishin, Wudh, Buleda, Gwadar, and Turbat, while several other campuses were also opened across the province to prepare the youth for the 21st century.

The Khuzdar Medical College and Khuzdar Engineering College were upgraded to ensure the availability of expert doctors and engineers in the region.

Additionally, a Gwadar University campus was established to provide local youth with technical skills and prepare them for high-level job opportunities.

Discussing water and power projects, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal remarked that special attention was paid to these areas for the development of Balochistan. The long-delayed Shadi Kaur Dam, pending since 2008, was finally funded in 2016, initiating the Gwadar water pipeline project.

Moreover, the power transmission project from Iran to Gwadar was successfully completed, alleviating Gwadar's electricity shortage.

The minister underscored the importance of Gwadar, noting that it serves as the hub of CPEC. He remarked that dredging work had been carried out to fully activate Gwadar Port, at a cost of over 4 billion rupees. After the port’s depth was reduced, the government restored it, increasing its cargo handling capacity.

Additionally, 600,000 tons of cargo was shipped through Gwadar Port, which is double the amount compared to the previous four years.

He also highlighted that, as per the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, 50% of public sector procurement will be routed through Gwadar Port, benefiting the local economy of Balochistan.

Professor Ahsan Iqbal announced that 130 billion rupees have been allocated for Balochistan in the 2024 development budget, which is higher than any other province. He said that this investment is fostering growth in education, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors across Balochistan.

The Federal Minister identified the elements that are against Balochistan's progress, attacking roads, universities, and other vital projects. He remarked that those seeking to arm Balochistan’s youth are advancing the agenda of enemies.

He stated that the government is providing laptops, computers, and digital skills to the youth of Balochistan to enable them to meet the challenges of the 21st century and contribute to the province’s development.

In conclusion, Professor Ahsan Iqbal congratulated the authors of the book, Amaar Masood and Khalid Fareed, for their important contribution and suggested that the book be translated into Balochi to reach more youth in the province. He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to Balochistan’s development, expressing confidence that the province will soon become the most prosperous region of Pakistan.