Caretaker CM seeks Islamabad’s faster assistance for early rehabilitation of affected sectors in Balochistan

Independent Report

QUETTA: The caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki has stated that the funds allocated for the province in the world rehabilitation relief are insufficient and as such the federal government may assist us in the 20 percent grant sharing of the province in Geneva fund.
He also sought the very cooperation of federal government for implementation on the programme already decided with the Government of Balochistan for rehabilitation of the affected sectors.
He said that the province is currently facing financial hardships as such the federal government may expedite assistance for implementation on the already decided programme of rehabilitation in the province.
The caretaker Chief Minister was participating through video link in the crucial meeting of policy and strategy committee formed about rehabilitation activities after last year’s devastating floods between the government of Pakistan and international relief institutions.
While the caretaker Federal Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives, Sami Saeed chaired the meeting with other concerned high ups and representatives of World Bank, Asian Development Bank, ARBE China and other relief agencies in attendance, the caretaker Chief Minister participated in it through video link.
Expressing his views and talking about the current situation of the province, Mr. Domki told the meeting that financial loss of Rs. 700 billion was caused to the province due to the flashfloods and heavy rains last year.
He said that Balochistan was the worst affected province due to floods after Sindh.
Sharing detail of the damages and devastations, the caretaker Chief Minister told that 3,21,019 houses had been completely damaged and 96,166 houses were partially damaged during the floods in Balochistan.
In addition to this, 43 bridges were swept away and 2,280 kilometer roads were damaged due to the heavy rains and floods.
Similarly, 1,039 educational institutions were completely damaged 1,793 were partially damaged in the province.
Moreover, the irrigation infrastructure was also badly affected causing loss to the agriculture sector.
The Chief Minister on the occasion endorsed appointment of an officer included in the panel of officers proposed from Balochistan through the forum of Policy and Strategy Committee as the Project Director.
The panel, it may be mentioned here, would ensure implementation on the National Project of US$100 million in the province.
Meanwhile, appreciating participation of the caretaker Chief Minister Mr. Domki in the meeting, the Federal Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives made pledge to improve the rehabilitation activities in the flood affected areas of the province further making them coordinated.