ISLAMABAD: Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar has said that the government will spend Rs600 billion on the uplift of nine Balochistan districts in the next three years.
Addressing a news conference along with Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Communications Minister Murad Saeed and Defence Production Minister Zubaida Jalal on Thursday, Asad Umar said that these projects will help bring prosperity and improve law and order situation in the province.
The minister said 57pc households of these districts will be given electricity and gas; 16 small dams will be constructed to enable the irrigation of 150,000 acres of land; while three plants for dates and olives will also be established in Balochistan.
He said that the federal government will fully support Balochistan Exploration Company to explore minerals in the province.
The minister said as many as 640,000 children will be given distance education using modern teaching, while teachers will also be trained for this purpose. He said that 83,000 children will be enrolled in schools through provision of Rs2,000 cash stipend for female and Rs1,500 for male students.
Asad Umar said that over 200 basic health centres will be upgraded through provision of modern health equipment, doctors and other paramedical staff. He said several initiatives are being taken to address issues related to malnutrition.
