Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his day-long visit to Quetta on Saturday assured the Balochistan government of full cooperation, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Qaddus Bizinjo briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz on the administrative issues and the law and order situation in the province.
The chief minister also apprised the prime minister about the steps taken to control the price hike, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The prime minister also directed to ensure the supply of daily commodities at fixed prices.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the development of Balochistan province was among the top priorities of the government. He said the talented manpower of the province had been a precious asset for the country and directed to ensure monitoring of the ongoing uplift projects in the province.

The prime minister also chaired a meeting to review the administrative situation of the province. Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Communication Maulana Asad Mehmood and Minister for Housing and Works Maulana Abdul Wasey, Nawabazda Shahzain Bugti, Israr Tareen, Acting Governor Jan Muhmmad Jamali, Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, provincial ministers and relevant authorities attended the meeting.

The chief secretary gave a detailed briefing to the prime minister over the ongoing development projects and law and order situation.

The prime minister was apprised that a huge chunk of the population in the province was living below the poverty line due to lack of employment opportunities.

The government was undertaking different development projects and giving priority to the locals in job opportunities.

The participants of the meeting presented various proposals and suggested for making of an announcement over a comprehensive package for the province. The proposals also pertained to the promotion of tourism around the coastal highway, and the establishment of professional training institutions for imparting education and training to the local manpower.

They also welcomed the prime minister on his first visit to the province and lauded him for including the development of the province among the government’s top priorities.

The prime minister opined that through off-the-grid projects, the power shortage problem in the province could be resolved and assured that he would not rest till the province was brought at par with the rest of the provinces in terms of development.

The prime minister also sought the cooperation of the provincial cabinet as it would ensure implementation of the projects.

He said the people of Balochistan had rights over the natural resources, adding that he would also relaunch the stipend programme for the students of the province.

He said that they would have to work for the collective uplift of the whole province, especially its backward areas.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that democratic institutions in Pakistan could be strengthened through the supremacy of the constitution. He expressed these views during a meeting with Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, MNA, who called on him in Quetta.

During the meeting, matters related to the strengthening of democracy and economic progress were discussed.

The prime minister observed that they would have to work together for the strengthening of democratic institutions and public welfare.

Mohsin Ranjha expressed the optimism that under the leadership of the prime minister, the federal government would match the rapid pace of development as witnessed during his tenure as chief minister of Punjab.

Guard of honour

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was given a guard of honour at Chief Minister Secretariat soon after he arrived in Quetta on a day-long visit.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Communication Asad Mehmood, Federal Minister for Housing and Works Maulana Abdul Wasey and Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizinjo accompanied the prime minister.
The prime minister reviewed the guard of honour as a contingent of police presented a salute to him.
Earlier, prime minister was accorded a warm welcome at Quetta Airport by the CM Balochistan and Acting Governor.