World Bank to extend financial support to Balochistan

Terming the budget allocation of Balochistan Provincial Government for restructuring of different organisations satisfactory, World Bank (WB) assured Balochistan government of its complete support in irrigation, agriculture, livestock and girls education sectors. According to a handout issued here on Friday, a delegation of World Bank led by its Country Director Rasheed-bin-Massud called on Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch at Chief Minister Secretariat.
Chief Secretary Balochistan, Saifullah Chattha told the WB delegation that steps were being taken for the reforms in provincial departments, including education, health, agriculture, and livestock and to preserve rainwater. He said that by investing in above mentioned sectors, people would get benefits and their living standard would be improved. Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, on the occasion said that his government has been taking steps to provide better education and health facilities to the people of Balochistan. He was of the view that confidence of the people would never restore on the democratic system until the benefits of development were not transferred to grass root level.
He said that he wants people of Balochistan to get better facilities in 21st century, which the people availing in the rest of the world. He said that 80% people of the province depend on agriculture and at present underground water level has dropped to an alarming level in Balochistan.
Chief Minister said that absence of dams, rain water go waste. He said that QESCO, provincial and federal government have been giving subsidy to 30,000 tube wells. He disclosed that 70 percent of minerals were wasted because of old and traditional mining system.
He said that provincial government is also facing difficulties in health sectors. He said that 2.3 million children are still out of school. Chief Minister said that our problems are too many but the resources are limited. He said that if World Bank extends its co-operation in construction of dams, improvement of agriculture, education, livestock and fisheries sectors we would be able to achieve goals of development soon. Country Director of World Bank while speaking on the occasion said that World Bank would provide funds on priority basis for the improvement of above said sectors.