Balochistan Development Gateway

[A.Rafay]

Balochistan varsity teachers get 30 HEC scholarships
ISLAMABAD - Under faculty development program of Higher Education Commission (HEC), 30 scholarships have been awarded to the female faculty of Sardar Bhaudar Khan Women University (SBKWU) Quetta, the first women university of Balochistan.
According to the detail, MS leading to PhD and PhD level scholarship have been awarded in three categories: overseas scholarships, split and indigenous scholarships. The awarded scholarships would cover various disciplines i.e. economics, mathematics, computer Science, management science, botany and zoology etc.
Addressing special scholarship award ceremony, Vice Chancellor of SBKWU, Sultana Baloch congratulated the scholarship awardees and lauded the efforts of HEC for undertaking a number of initiatives to increase access to higher education in Balochistan province. She was of the view that faculty development program has been greatly helpful in strengthening the capacity faculty of SBKWU in all areas.
She also informed that through new phase, 30 more scholarships would be awarded soon in various disciplines. She also appreciated the transparent selection process, which enabled the capable and deserving candidates to get an opportunity to enhance their knowledge at the leading higher education institutions of academically advanced countries.
Earlier, Wasim Hashmi Syed, Project Director and Focal Person of HEC, conducted orientation session with SBKWU scholars and provided them the guidelines of the HEC scholarships policies and assist them to secure admission in HEC recognized international universities.
Since its inception, the HEC has paid special attention towards promoting higher education sector in the Balochistan province. The main initiatives include special scholarship schemes for the faculty and youth of Balochistan, implementation of federal government’s quota policy in award of local and foreign scholarships, establishment of well-equipped HEC regional centre at Quetta, number of universities has been increased from two to seven including the first women university of Balochistan and launched special projects for the development of basic infrastructure at higher education institutions of the province including labs, class rooms, seminars rooms, labs, transport facilities, digital libraries, video conferencing facility etc.
HEC has already awarded 2,000 scholarships to students of Balochistan and FATA under the project “Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Balochistan & FATA” during the last four years. Under second and new phase of the project, 1500 more scholarships would be awarded to the students of Balochistan and FATA. HEC has also arranged foundation course for 684 students of Balochistan at Quetta.

Govt committed to Balochistan socio-economic development: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated the government’s commitment to the socio-economic uplift of Balochistan, adding that it remains their top priority.
Zardari was speaking to Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani who had called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday.
The Chief Minister apprised the President about overall situation of Balochistan, especially the law and order and progress of developmental projects in the province aimed at raising the standards of living of the people and generate socio-economic opportunities for them.
The President reiterated the commitment of the government to accord priority to addressing the issues of the province and to continue striving for the socio-economic development of the people of Balochistan.

 

[SHAMK9]

IGP Rs 36.077mn being spent on Balochistan uplift schemes
QUETTA: About Rs 36.077 million was being spent on the development projects in Balochistan. Of them, 732 are new schemes approved in annual budget for 2012-13 while 720 are the ongoing projects launched in parts of the province, said provincial finance secretary Dostain Jamaldini here on Thursday.

Talking to the participants of Civil Service Lahore Academy here at Civil Secretariat, he said that Balochistan government has initiated numerous projects to bring tangible improvement in the current socio-economic condition of the province.

He said that in the budget for the fiscal year 2012-13, about 33.63 percent has been allocated for the communication sector, 6.00 percent for education, 10.66 for pure drinking water, 6.26 for public health services and 59 percent for the energy sector.

There was huge opportunities of investment in the sectors including mines and minerals, fisheries, agriculture, livestock, dates and fruits for the entrepreneurs interested in business, he noted.

Additional Home secretary Tariq Zehri told the delegation that as many as 700 non- custom paid vehicles were impounded during the last couple of months to curb the crimes.

About 44 gangs involved in kidnapping for ransom and other heinous crimes have also been busted during the span of one year, he maintained.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012
IGP Rs 36.077mn being spent on Balochistan uplift schemes

 

[A.Rafay]

Balochistan is foremost priority of government: PM

GWADAR, Nov 9 (APP): Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday approved a project with an estimated cost of Rs 4.5 Billion for provision of Water Supply to the people of Gwadar. This was announced in response to a pressing demand by Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani and the Members of his Cabinet. Speaking to a special meeting of the Balochistan Cabinet here, the Prime Minister said that the federal government will bear 50 percent of the cost while the balance will be borne by the Government of Balochistan. The Prime Minister also announced to make Jiwani a Model Town and directed the provincial government to present a proposal for the project.
He announced that the federal government also released funds for the construction of Gwadar-Ratodaro Road to improve connectivity.
The Cabinet meeting held with the Provincial Cabinet Members led by Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani sitting traditionally on the floor.
The Prime Minister was presented a Balochi Chaddar before the commencement of Cabinet meeting, which started with the recitation from the Holy Quran.
The Prime Minister said that the root cause of most of the problems lies in our failure in establishing democratic order in Pakistan in general and Balochistan in particular.
He said that the developed countries were able to progress because of democracy and continuity in their policies.
Pervez said that the Balochistan Cabinet is an example that the people of different parties and views have synergized their energies and managed to complete the term of their government. This, he said, was no mean achievement. “You can use your strengths and pool up your resources for the overall benefit of the people of Balochistan,” he added.
Alluding to the National Finance Commission Award, he termed it as a step in right direction which brought in betterment for the people of Balochistan and other provinces.
He said it was unheard that any person could have divested himself of powers vested in him. President Asif Ali Zardari voluntarily surrendered his powers to the Parliament by consenting to amend the Constitution whereby his powers were transferred to the Parliament.
Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said that the PPP took over the government in 2008 in very challenging circumstances when the financial position of the country was on the verge of bankruptcy. The PPP-led coalition government, under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, has been pursuing the policy of reconciliation and has now achieved the historic landmark of being the first elected government in Pakistan which has completed its tenure.
He congratulated the Balochistan government for having completed its tenure. “We have together laid down a fundamental on which we can erect a building.”
The Prime Minister said that Aghaz-e-Hoqooq-e-Balochistan was a step to start working towards the development and progress of the people of Balochistan.
He said that we need to dispel the misperception about the law & order situation in Balochistan. The perception has been created by exaggerating accounts and events in Balochistan.
The Prime Minister said that when he assumed the office he consulted a variety of people, including the Government of Balochistan and the people who have knowledge of Balochistan to find a viable solution for the law & order situation in Balochistan.
He said that as a first step, he decided to post competent officers of repute to improve the law & order situation in the province. In this connection, he formulated a transfer and posting policy so that the competent officers are posted in Balochistan. Despite tremendous pressure, he did not waver from the policy nor did he accept any pressure regarding transfers.
As a result, the situation has started slowly improving. Earlier, he said, officers in Balochistan were sent as a punishment. Such officers were unwilling and not fully motivated. If one is sincere and committed to hold merit then results are always in the public interest. He expressed the hope that the situation in Balochistan will show improvement due to the collective efforts made by the Government of Pakistan and Balochistan.
The Chief Minister Balochistan thanked the Prime Minister for addressing the Cabinet and taking the Provincial Government into confidence. He also thanked the Prime Minister for approving projects which will go a long way in improving the standards of living of the people of Balochistan.