Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier today highlighted the economic potential of the southwestern Balochistan province, stating that the federal government would provide sufficient funds to the provincial government for socio-economic development.
“The development of Balochistan is close to my heart,” he said while addressing the Balochistan Development Forum meeting here.
PM Sharif assured that the federal government would continue to help and provide funds, adding the share of funds being allocated to provinces under the National Finance Commission Award has been increased to over 9 percent from little over 5 percent.
He said that there are a total of over 140 projects in Balochistan being financed by the federal government, adding expansion of Gwadar port and construction of a new modern airport are on the priority list.
The prime minister said that new economic corridor from Gwadar to China would help Balochistan to become a regional hub, adding the province and the country would be the main beneficiaries of the economic corridor.
“The government is doing its utmost to give a new impetus to development in the province,” he added.
