Balochistan completes development targets for first time: 2,966 projects done, Rs28bn saved

QUETTA: For the first time in the history of Balochistan, the provincial government has achieved its development targets by ensuring full completion of the projects included in last fiscal year’s budget. The government saved Rs28 billion in non-development expenditure and completed 2,966 development projects, setting a new example of effective, transparent and result-oriented use of development funds.

This was disclosed at a meeting of the Secretaries Committee chaired by Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti. The meeting reviewed in detail the progress of development projects in the last and current fiscal years. Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Buledi, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, the Secretary Planning and Development, secretaries of the departments concerned and senior officials attended.

Performance report and briefing

Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Buledi presented the performance report for the last fiscal year to the Chief Minister Balochistan. In a detailed briefing, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan said the government fully achieved its target for completing development projects during the last fiscal year.

He said that for the first time in the province’s history, full completion of the development projects approved in the budget was ensured. He added that 2,966 development projects were completed, along with savings of Rs28 billion in non-development expenditure.

The meeting was told that work is under way on 2,280 development projects in the current fiscal year. An effective monitoring and strict supervision system has been put in place to complete all the projects on time.

Chief Minister’s praise and announcement of certificates of appreciation

Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti praised the performance of the Provincial Minister for Planning and Development, the Chief Secretary, the Secretary Planning and Development and the officers concerned for achieving the development targets. He commended them and announced certificates of appreciation for them.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that timely completion of development projects was the result of good governance, effective monitoring and a strong supervision system. He said every penny of Balochistan’s development resources would be spent on the welfare of the people and on sustainable development. He said there would be no compromise on transparency, speed and quality in development projects.

Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that effective supervision by the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team and the Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate would help prevent corruption and ensure transparent use of development funds. He said timely completion of projects in the public interest was the top priority of the Balochistan government, and the fruits of development would reach every district and every citizen of the province.

The Chief Minister reiterated his resolve that the development targets for the current fiscal year would also be completed within the set time, so that Balochistan could move faster towards new milestones of development, prosperity and better governance. Provincial ministers Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Mir Shoaib Ahmed Nausherwani, Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani and Sardar Faisal Khan Jamali also attended the meeting.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan