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A key meeting was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal to review the progress of flood rehabilitation projects (IFRAP) in the affected areas of Balochistan. Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, participated in the meeting via video link. During the session, Project Director Asfandyar provided a detailed briefing on the current status of the projects, the challenges faced, and the obstacles hindering progress.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti emphasized the need to accelerate the progress of rehabilitation projects in flood-affected areas. He stated that the affected people are facing severe hardships, and these projects should be completed promptly and effectively to provide relief to the affected families as soon as possible. He suggested that if the project is handed over to the Balochistan government, it could be executed more swiftly, as the provincial government is more familiar with ground realities and can make immediate decisions.
The Chief Minister disagreed with the proposal for “restructuring” the project, arguing that allocating all resources solely to housing reconstruction would neglect the restoration of educational institutions, hospitals, and roads damaged by the floods. He pointed out that an imbalance in resource allocation could create a negative public perception, potentially undermining the fundamental objectives of the rehabilitation plan.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also proposed linking the World Bank-funded internship program for Balochistan’s youth with the “Chief Minister Youth Skills Development Program.” He highlighted that integrating this initiative with the provincial youth program could yield positive and long-lasting outcomes, providing young people with valuable skill development opportunities.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal agreed with the Chief Minister’s suggestions and assured that a separate meeting would be convened soon to thoroughly review and implement these proposals. He also stated that the federal government would address Balochistan’s concerns regarding World Bank-supported rehabilitation projects to maximize the province’s benefits.
During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal expressed his desire to visit the Kachhi Canal site, upon which the Chief Minister invited him to visit Sui, an invitation he gladly accepted. The meeting was also attended by Balochistan’s Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Chief Secretary Shakil Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary for Development Hafiz Abdul Basit, Principal Secretary Babar Khan, Secretary for Irrigation Hafiz Abdul Majid, and Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat Muhammad Fareedun.
The proposals and measures discussed during the meeting clearly indicate that effective and accelerated efforts are being made for the rehabilitation of flood-affected areas in Balochistan. The involvement of the provincial government and direct supervision at the grassroots level will not only speed up project completion but also improve the quality of the outcomes.
