Islamabad: The government has allocated Rs200 billion for development projects in Balochistan, marking the highest budgetary allocation for any province. This announcement was made by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal in the National Assembly, emphasizing the government’s priority on the region’s development.
According to Radio Pakistan, as part of the government’s efforts to enhance educational opportunities, an additional five thousand scholarships have been earmarked for students from Balochistan and tribal districts. This initiative aims to enable students to pursue higher education at leading universities. The Minister underscored the importance of education in addressing regional disparities.
The government plans to launch a solarization project in tribal districts and introduce a program to provide digital skills training for youth in these areas. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to foster sustainable development.
Meanwhile, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik addressed concerns regarding fuel prices, explaining that they are set by OGRA based on a transparent formula linked to international market trends. Following directives from the Prime Minister, refineries have reduced their gross refining margins, leading to lower petrol and diesel prices. A restructuring of Pakistan Petroleum Limited is also underway to boost operational efficiency.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani discussed the continuation of the Export Facilitation Scheme, which supports exporters by allowing duty-free imports of raw materials. He assured that measures would be taken to prevent misuse of the scheme.
In response to concerns about religious freedom, Minister of State for Religious Affairs Kesoo Mal Kheal Das affirmed that minorities in Pakistan enjoy full religious freedom. He announced that the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company would ensure uninterrupted power supply during Diwali to accommodate the Hindu community.
The National Assembly session will reconvene on Thursday at 4 p.m.