Islamabad: A comprehensive plan aiming to create employment in Balochistan’s border districts has been presented by Chief Development Officer Asiya Perveen to Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan. The initiative is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive to uplift underserved regions of the province.

The minister expressed approval of the proposal, emphasizing the potential for significant employment generation through targeted interventions. He underscored the necessity of practical and community-based approaches.

One key proposal is for oil marketing companies to establish local facilitation centers. The minister also stressed the importance of developing low-cost sports and recreational infrastructure to engage the youth.

To boost household incomes and livelihoods, micro-level interventions were advocated. The minister highlighted the mining sector’s potential, suggesting equipping local workers with small-scale machinery to expand employment opportunities.

Technical education was identified as crucial for building a skilled workforce, with an expansion of training programs recommended. The minister highlighted potential in livestock, fisheries, and date exports, calling for infrastructure like warehouses and cold storages to support these sectors, possibly operated by private entities or local associations.

For industrial progress, the minister proposed facilitating marble cities and supporting SMEs with soft loan schemes. To empower women, he suggested district-level complexes with facilities like women chambers and training centers.

Chief Development Officer Perveen was tasked with prioritizing projects for inclusion in the upcoming Public Sector Development Programme. A detailed proposal is to be prepared for Prime Minister Sharif’s review in the coming days.

The proposals were crafted in collaboration with the Government of Balochistan, the Ministry of Commerce, and other stakeholders.