QUETTA: The federal cabinet, holding its first meeting in the
Provincial capitol on Wednesday, deliberated over such issues as
Balochistan Package and development works in the province in detail.
The
meeting, which also entailed the participation of CM, Balochistan Nawab
Aslam Raessani, and Governor Zulfiqar Ali Magsi was briefed that since
2009 15 meetings have been held in connection with Balochistan Package,
and so far five out of six constitutional, while seven out of sixteen
administrative policies had been implemented. It was informed that two
were in initial stages, while implementation were underway on seven of
them.
Among other progress made, two political directives had
been implemented, while three were in progress, while out of 16
administrative, seven had been implemented, two were in final stages of
completion, while implementation on seven was underway.
Similarly
from amongst 34 recommendations of economic and developmental progress,
20 have been implemented, two were in completion stages, while work was
underway over 12 of these.
The cabinet was also informed that
share of Province in divisible pool, according to 7th NFC Award was
increased from 5.1% to 9%, besides winding up the concurrent list
through the 18th amendment, and reviewing the royalty formula.
It
was also announced that Balochistan had also been reimbursed by Rs 2
billion for its outstandings for the period 2002-2008/2009, out of
which gas-producing regions would be awarded 1%. It was also informed
that many A areas had been converted into B areas.
The meeting
was told that federal government had decided to disburse an aid of
Rs.120 billion for Balochistan, within a period of 12 years. Out of
this Rs10 billion have already been disbursed during the current fiscal
year.
Besides, this any further setting up of cantonments in
the Province was also halted, and Army contingents were replaced by FC
units. A commission for missing persons had also been setup through a
specially setup cell. Another cell with the reference of Human Rights
had also been setup by in Supreme Court.
Among other
information, the cabinet was also informed that a special desk for
Balochistan was also setup, and Rs 1 billion for the Province, while
those relocating from Nalla Band region had been disbursed an amount of
Rs128 million’ besides informing that Gwadar Port Authority was based
on public-private partnership basis, and gas supply for adjoining areas
of Sui pirkoh, and Sui gas field including 13 districts had also begun.
It was also announced that the federal government had also given
30% of its 50% shares in Saindak Project, while the project after
completion would also be handed over to the Provincial government.
The
federal government has also decided to cooperate in assisting the
Province settle the employment of 5000 employees of grade14-grade18 for
a period of four years.
Besides forming a commission to
investigate the issue of killing of Akbar Bugti, it has also been
assured that investigations in allotments made at Gwadar Port would
also be initiated, under the chair of a Balochistan High Court Judge.
Besides
the HEC (Higher Education Commission) has also planned 600
scholarships, allocating Rs.3.56 billion for the purpose, while three
economic development zones for the Province would also be setup. Online
