QUETTA: The largest province of the country is a picture of neglect to-date as no serious effort could ever be made to exploit its natural resources.
The government and business community should strive jointly for the development of resources-rich and poverty-stricken Balochistan as its mineral resources have the potential to change the fate of Pakistan and transform it into a prosperous country.
Saarc Chamber of Commerce Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik stated this while speaking at a reception hosted by Quetta Chamber President Moosa Kakar.
Besides Iftikhar Malik ,who is also Chairman United Business Group (UBG) of the FPCCI, TDAP Chairman SM Muneer, UBG’s candidate for FPCCI president’s slot Mian Muhammad Idrees and other leader were also present on the occasion.
A large number of notables including Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) leader and Provincial Minister Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, ANP Provincial President Sardar Asghar Khan Achakzai, PKMAP Senator Abdul Raoof Lala, MPA Manzoor Kakar and others were also present.
The UBG chairman declared that they would push the government to initiate long-term planning to unearth and utilise the buried wealth that could change the destiny of the people and the country at large.
In his address, TDAP chief SM Muneer said that the government and private companies had focused on oil and gas exploration in this underdeveloped province, adding that other sectors issues supporting exports and luring investment had been almost ignored. He pointed out that though 18th Amendment in the Constitution had given the provinces rights over their resources, it could not be accomplished by a province on its own.
