CPEC will prove to be a game changer for Balochistan: Asad Umar

QUETTA: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will change the fate of not only Pakistan but also the entire region.

Talking to media persons during his visit to Turbat on Monday along with Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal, he said that after its completion the CPEC would bring peace and prosperity to Balochistan.

Asad Umar had reached Quetta along with Prime Minister Imran Khan two days ago, but stayed here to consult the authorities concerned on the development package for southern Balochistan.

During his visit to Quetta, the prime minister had hinted at announcing a special package for southern Balochistan.

Official sources said the package would be worth around Rs150 billion and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas would also be included in it.

“Asad Umer is visiting Makran division to consult the authorities concerned and stakeholders on the special package,” Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani told Dawn, adding that the federal minister would also visit the port city of Gwadar and other areas of Makran division.

The sources said Prime Minister Khan was expected to visit Gwadar next month where he would announce a special uplift package for southern Balochistan.

The minister for planning and development said the previous governments had not done anything for the development of southern Baloch­istan, but the present regime was taking all measures for development of not only southern Balochistan but also other areas of the province.

“PTI government will resolve issues of the people of Makran and will take steps to provide maximum job opportunities to them,” he said, adding that the Balochistan government was working on a comprehensive plan for an integrated and long-lasting development of southern districts of the province.

“Southern districts remained backward as the previous governments ignored them, but our government will take special steps to change their fate,” the minister said.