No compromise on timely completion and quality of strategic projects: CS Shakil Qadir Khan
QUETTA: Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakil Qadir Khan has said strategic projects launched by the government are not mere development activities but a means of providing people basic facilities, better education, clean water, jobs, travel facilities, modern technology and economic opportunities.
Presiding over a high-level meeting on the progress of strategic projects on September 3, he said the schemes were directly linked to people’s daily lives, so timely completion, uncompromising quality and transparency must be ensured in all circumstances.
He directed concerned departments and officers to regularly monitor progress, immediately remove obstacles and complete public-interest projects within the stipulated period.
The chief secretary said the government was utilising all available resources for balanced and sustainable development in Balochistan so that citizens could get better facilities and living standards could rise. Secretaries of relevant departments attended the meeting.
A detailed review was held of implementation and progress on various development projects, including construction of additional classrooms in schools, supply of clean drinking water, launch of the Peoples Train, RO and ultra-filtration plants, command area development, mini solar home solutions, Mashkhel Dam and a shrimp hatchery.
The meeting was told that additional classrooms would be prioritised in schools with higher enrolment where existing facilities were insufficient. A project to connect schools and IT centres with fibre optic was also reviewed. High-speed internet would be provided at various locations to give students, teachers and the public better access to digital education, online services and modern technology. Work is under way at 94 sites, while 725 locations will be linked to the fibre-optic network in the first phase.
The chief secretary said clean water was a basic right of every citizen and that the government was giving special attention to such projects to protect people from diseases caused by contaminated water and improve their quality of life.
It was stressed that the Peoples Train project would provide people safe, affordable and better travel. Command area development and mini solar home solutions were also described as important for public welfare and sustainable development, helping bring land under cultivation, meet energy needs in remote areas and provide basic facilities.
On Mashkhel Dam, the meeting was told the large-scale project would help meet water needs in Mashkhel and adjoining districts. Its construction would promote irrigation, agriculture, drinking water and economic activity and create new development opportunities in surrounding areas.
