QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the provincial Apex Committee in Quetta under the National Action Plan and reviewed the security situation, development initiatives and governance reforms in Balochistan.
During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on counterterrorism measures, progress on development projects, digitisation initiatives, governance reforms and steps being taken towards a cashless economy in the province.
The premier paid tribute to Syed Asim Munir and the armed forces for their efforts in combating terrorism across the country.
He also appreciated the performance of Mir Sarfraz Bugti and his team for measures aimed at public welfare and improving governance in the province.
The prime minister directed authorities to deploy the Frontier Corps in Balochistan’s Rakhshan Division to strengthen security around mineral-rich areas and establish a secure corridor for mining-related activities.
He said the proposed security corridor would include additional FC wings, highway security checkpoints, surveillance grids and border posts to ensure protection of strategic mineral resources.
Mr Sharif said Pakistan was richly endowed with natural resources, particularly minerals, and stressed that maintaining a secure environment in Balochistan was essential for sustaining the confidence of local and international companies working on mineral-related projects.
The premier also praised the Balochistan government’s efforts to ensure transparency and merit in appointments within the district administration.
Highlighting the importance of modern policing and security mechanisms, he said advanced training and adoption of new technologies were vital for completely eradicating terrorism.
The prime minister said the federal government was undertaking multiple initiatives to integrate and empower Balochistan’s youth through educational opportunities, technical and vocational training, employment schemes, sports and youth programmes, scholarships and digital skills training.
He added that special attention was being given to development projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare and communications to ensure equal opportunities and improved facilities for young people in the province.
During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that all institutions were actively engaged in efforts to eliminate terrorism and that several youth welfare programmes were under way in Balochistan.
The meeting was also told that no polio case had been reported in the province since November 2024.
Officials said several healthcare projects, including a cancer institute, dialysis centres and trauma centres, had become operational, while work on additional facilities was continuing.
The briefing further noted that 99 per cent of schools in Balochistan were currently functional and educational activities were continuing across the province.
Participants were also informed that more than 15,000 households had benefited from solar energy projects, resulting in reported savings of around Rs105 billion.
The meeting was attended by the army chief, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Mohsin Naqvi, Attaullah Tarar, Khalid Magsi, Jam Kamal Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah and senior officials of relevant institutions.
