Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced on Tuesday that savings from reduced oil prices will be redirected toward crucial infrastructure projects in Balochistan, instead of reducing consumer prices. The funds will support the reconstruction of the N-25 Highway and the completion of Phase-II of the Kachhi Canal project.
The prime minister shared these plans during a federal cabinet meeting, emphasizing the need to transform the N-25, often referred to as “the deadly road,” into a motorway-standard highway. This decision is part of a broader commitment to address the longstanding neglect of Balochistan’s development needs.
Shehbaz highlighted the dangerous condition of the N-25, which connects Karachi to Chaman and has witnessed over 2,000 fatalities in recent years due to its inadequate infrastructure. The Rs300 billion reconstruction project will proceed under federal oversight, with rigorous third-party validation to ensure quality.
The initiative was initially approved in the fiscal year 2022-23 but faced delays due to funding shortages. The recent drop in global petroleum prices allowed for the reallocation of resources, which will now be invested in these strategic infrastructure projects.
Additionally, the prime minister announced that the Rs70 billion Kachhi Canal Phase-II irrigation project would also draw from these funds. This project aims to transform agriculture in Balochistan by irrigating vast arid lands, thereby improving local livelihoods and food security.
Shehbaz stressed the importance of equitable resource distribution among all federating units, highlighting the Rs70 billion solarization of tubewells in Balochistan as a successful federal-provincial collaboration.
The cabinet meeting also addressed several key issues, including amendments to the Petroleum Levy Ordinance to boost national revenues and the endorsement of the Sustainable Investment Sukuk Framework for promoting environmental projects. A new bill was also approved to establish the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, present as a special guest, praised the prime minister’s focus on Balochistan’s long-overdue projects, acknowledging the impact of national resource allocation on the province’s development.
The meeting concluded with the prime minister condemning the recent killing of eight Pakistanis in Iran’s Sistan province and expressing hopes for swift justice from Iranian authorities. He also wished for the recovery of President Asif Ali Zardari, who is under treatment for coronavirus.