In the wake of the progress made in Baluchistan for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a nine member delegation met European parliamentarians, heads of various committees and European Union members in Brussels.
The meeting was organized by EU-Pakistan Friendship Federation President Parvez Iqbal, hosted by Senator Bertin Mampaka and accompanied by the member Brussels parliament, Dr.Manzoor Zahoor Elahi. The delegation from Baluchistan is being led by Minister for Irrigation and Energy Mr.Nawabzada Changez Marri. The delegation also includes various provincial ministers and parliamentarians like Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Mr. Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Minister for Health Mr. Rehmat Saleh Baloch; members of Baluchistan Assembly Mr. Nasrullah Khan, Mr. Ahmed Ali, Mr. Tahir Mahmood and Mr. Muhammad Raza and tribal notable Mr. Umair Ahmed Hussaini. The official spokesman of the Government of Balochistan MrAnwaar Ul Haq Kakar is also accompanying the delegation.
Baluchistan’s Minister for Home and Tribal affairs, Mr.SarfrazBugti said that CPEC has emerged as a great game changer for Balochistan since the project would bring bundles of economic opportunities for the province as well as the neighboring countries of Pakistan.He added that being the starting point for One Belt One Road Project, CPEC also holds prospects for the European countries.
The meeting was further briefed by the official spokesman of the government of Baluchistan, Mr. Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, who stated the investment and business opportunities in Baluchistan in the context of European countries, particularly Belgium.
The Minister for Health, Rehmat Saleh Baloch apprised the audience of developments in social sector; he said previously there was just one university in the entire province now there were universities in all the districts of Baluchistan. The number of medical colleges had also been tripled during past few years. He also highlighted the improvement in the current law and order situation of the province. He further explained that there are no separatist movements in Baluchistan at the moment and that only a few miscreants have created that misperception.
Baluchistan is one of the four provinces of Pakistan, located in the southwestern region of the country. Its provincial capital and largest city is Quetta. It shares borders with Punjab and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to the northeast, Sindh to the southeast, the Arabian Sea to the south, Iran to the west, and Afghanistan to the north.The province is rich in reserves of Gold, Copper and natural gas. It has an area of 347,190 km2 making it the largest province of the state. Though rich in mineral resources, so far Baluchistan’s contribution to the economy of Pakistan has not been high. This has consequently affected its development
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will open up new avenues of opportunities for the people of Baluchistan. With estimated 7.1 billion initial investments through CPEC, the project will subsequently contribute to the development of the whole province and address various economic and social problems of Baluchistan along with stabilizing the volatile nature of Pakistan’s economy.
