CPEC to change destiny of country, especially Balochistan: President

QUETTA, Feb 19 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC) project would open up new avenues of progress and prosperity and change destiny of the country, especially Balochistan province.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of historic Sibi Mela 2020, the President said the
construction of Gwadar deep seaport, airport, oil refinery, important corridors and
economic zones would provide job opportunities to the people of Balochistan, which
would end poverty and bring prosperity to them.

He said that Gwadar would emerge as a new developed part on the world’s map.
The President said that Balochistan was the most affected area in the war against
terrorism where the local people suffered a lot, adding the federal government was
paying special attention to the construction and development of the province to end
the sense of deprivation of the local people.

The President said security forces of the country valiantly fought the war against
militancy and terrorism and brought peace to the motherland, adding the terrorists
would not succeed in their nefarious designs.

The President said promotion of agriculture and livestock was need of the hour and
the present government was fully concentrating on it as these two sectors were a big
source of employment to the local people.

Balochistan was very important in terms of coastal areas and measures were being
taken to promote foreign investment in fishing sector, he said and added that approximately 300 million dollar fish products were exported last year while 500 million dollar fish had been exported in current year which was a positive sign for the country.

The President said the people of Balochistan faced water shortage issue last year and
the federal government was constructing dams in the province to tackle shortage of water.

He said the festival of Sibi had a history and honor as Founder of Pakistan Qauid-e-
Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had participated in it as a special guest, adding it was an
hounour for him to inaugurate the historic festival.

Addressing the ceremony, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Jam Kamal Khan thanked the
President for visiting the province to participate in Sibi Festival as chief guest, saying
that Livestock and Agriculture departments had played key roles in economic development
of Balochistan.

“Both sectors always have a special representation in this historic festival”, he said
adding a large number of people from agriculture and livestock sectors from all over the
country attended the festival and such traditional festivals were important to enhance
liaison among people at all levels.

He said the provincial government was focusing on livestock and agriculture departments
to cater to the needs of people, adding 60 percent population was directly linked with the
two sectors Jam Kamal said that 0.7 million acres of land would be irrigated in the province after completion of Kachi Canal.

The said the provincial government was paying special attention to improve the law
and order situation.

He also appreciated the security forces who had been giving sacrifices of their precious
lives to maintain the law and order the province.

Governor Balochistan Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, provincial ministers and senior officials
also attended the ceremony.

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Jam Kamal Khan presented traditional souvenir to the
President at conclusion of the ceremony.