Balochistan Updates

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First investment policy of Balochistan introduced
January 19, 2021

The Chief Executive Officer of the Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade, Farman Zarkoon, on Monday said that an investment policy had been introduced for the first time in Balochistan. — AFP



QUETTA: The Chief Executive Officer of the Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade, Farman Zarkoon, on Monday said that an investment policy had been introduced for the first time in Balochistan.

Talking to various delegations of investors from Karachi, he said innumerable incentives and facilities had been provided to domestic and foreign companies for investment in Balochistan.

An attractive environment had been provided to investors in Gwadar Free Zone, he added.

Mr Zarkoon said the investment policy had allowed tax exemptions for 23 years, 100 percent exemption from customs duties for construction and operations, land lease for 99 years, flexibility in visa rules, offices and infrastructure of international standard and security arrangements, while small industrial units and warehouses were ready for use.

CEO informs investors about incentives under new policy

Investors have access to facilities at their doorsteps. Numerous concessions have also been given in the free trade zone, while an oil city is being set up on 8,000 acres of land, besides water desalination plants, LNG terminals, restaurants and recreational facilities in Gwadar, he added.

Mr Zarkoon said that there were vast investment opportunities in supermarkets, power generation projects, oil terminals, warehouses, container rails, import industries, tourism infrastructure and hotels, which could be exploited to the fullest.

There were numerous investment opportunities in livestock, tourism, special economic zones, industry and construction and agriculture sectors, he added.


Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2021

 

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Gwadar cricket Stadium

 

[ZAMURD]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1352214984873422848

 

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1352294421363118081

 

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Hub western bypass completed.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1353208414592233472

 

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1353553222888280064

 

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MoU signed for tree plantation drive in three Balochistan districts


The Newspaper's Staff
January 25, 2021

The United Nations Development Programme, Balochistan Forest Department and the Taraqee Foundation have announced launching a joint tree plantation campaign in three districts of Balochistan.



QUETTA: The United Nations Development Programme, Balochistan Forest Department and the Taraqee Foundation have announced launching a joint tree plantation campaign in three districts of Balochistan.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Balochistan Forest Department and Taraqee Foundation for the implementation of the plantation campaign.

Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday, Chief Executive Officer of the Taraqee Foundation Amjad Rasheed said that for the time being three districts of Balochistan had been chosen for tree plantation and more districts could be included in the campaign later.

He said the tree plantation campaign was named ‘Chand Meri Zameen Phool Mera Watan’ with the aim to create awareness among the people about the clean environment. During the campaign, around 70,000 trees would be planted in Quetta’s Hanna and Urak valley, Nawan Killi, Pishin, Ban Khushdil Khan and some other areas, he added.

Mr Rasheed said the Taraqee Foundation had taken responsibility for implementation of the project and was taking care of the plants, while the support of various line departments and NGOs involved in the network of the Foundation would also be sought.

He appealed to the media to join hands in the public interest project. He said that a mega event in this regard would be organised next month. He said that under the plan the labourers who lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic would be engaged for the tree plantation and looking after plants.

In reply to a question, he said that Rs15 million would be spent on the project and providing jobs to the labourers. He said that every institution could join hands with the Taraqee Foundation and Forest Department in the campaign.

 

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Govt of #Balochistan has approved dam projects of Rs 42.4 billion which are part of development program to uplift least developed districts of Balochistan.

Dams include:

Awaran
Panjgur
Tapok
Garba
Shehzanik
Mand
Solaar

 

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SC accepts Balochistan govt appeal regarding development projects

The Frontier Post
January 27, 2021


ISLAMABAD (APP): The Supreme Court on Wednesday accepted the Balochistan government appeal against the high court order regarding development projects in the province.

A three-member SC bench comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar heard the case.

The court stayed the implementation of the restriction of allocating 33% funds for development projects.

The court also directed the Balochistan government to submit complete record of PC-1 documents of development projects.

The court also sought documentary evidence from Leader of Opposition in Balochistan Assembly Malik Sikandar Khan over objections on the development plans.

The Advocate General Balochistan said that implementing sub-section 2 of section 16 of the Balochistan Financial Management Act would halt ongoing projects.

He said that 33% of the cost must be allocated in the budget at the time of approval of each project under sub-section 2 of section 16.

Justice Munib Akhtar asked why was this not taken into account while approving the budget?

Justice Bandial said that the Balochistan government was of the view that the Act would be implemented from the next budget.

The Advocate General said that the Balochistan government spent 56% of its budget on development projects for the first time in the country’s history.

He said that PC-1 for all projects was prepared. The plan to hold the National Games in Balochistan was 80 percent completed, he added.

He said that the the National Games were delayed due to Corona virus.

Justice Bandial said that the court had to review the legal aspects of development projects as different forums were available for the rest of the objections.

He said that it was also alleged that no funds were allocated for development projects in Balochistan. It was also alleged that the funds went into few pockets, he added.

He advised the provincial government to restore people’s trust.

Justice Bandial said that a lot of money was wasted on public development projects due to the situation in Balochistan.

Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal said that the provincial government had spent Rs 30 billion in Quetta alone. The provincial government had pulled out 2,000 projects from PSDP, he added.

Later, hearing of the case was adjourned till date in office.

Talking to media outside SC, Jam Kamal said that there should be transparency in elections and therefore he supported open ballot.

He said that a case regarding PSDP was pending in the apex court. “We have made reforms to the PSDP in the last two years”, he added.

He said that the high court had imposed restrictions on PSDP.

He said that the apex court gave relief to the provincial government against the high court order.

 

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Consul General Libijian handover China Aid to Gwadar Police Station, 40 motorcycles, 10 mobile sentry boxes and 10 laptops.

© Voice of Gwadar

 

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Congrats on the establishment of Gwadar Women's Development Centre.
The centre was sponsored by Consulate General of People’s Republic of China in Karachi, & managed by Gwadar Women’s Development Organisation and China Overseas Ports Holding Company.

 

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PIA to start operating Turbat-Sharjah flights from February

• Two flights will be operated in the week on this route, said PIA spokesperson.
• ATR planes will be used for flight operations between Turbat and Sharjah, said the airline.

BR Web Desk
28 Jan 2021

The Pakistan International Airline (PIA) on Thursday announced to operate flights from Turbat to Sharjah.


According to the PIA spokesperson, the national flag carrier will launch Turbat-Sharjah operations from February 6.

Two flights will be operated in the week on this route, he added. The airline is starting the route to facilitate passengers of Turbat and surroundings areas.

ATR planes will be used for flight operations between Turbat and Sharjah, the spokesperson said.

Earlier this week, PIA had announced to increase the number of flights between Karachi and Quetta.

The PIA spokesperson had said in a statement that the national flag-carrier will operate four flights in a week between Karachi and Quetta.

 

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Students of Balochistan province would soon get a full-fledged university to get higher education in the field of minerals and natural resources as the authorities concerned are making steady progress on the project.

The ‘Umer Khan Sanjrani Minerals and Natural Resources University’ would be established in NokKundi, Chaghi area of the province on 500 acres of land at an estimated cost of Rs6 billion, a senior official aware of the project developments.

 

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MPCL enters into JV Agreement for Potential Mining Projects in Balochistan

• “As part of its long term growth strategy, MPCL is evaluating multiple opportunities in nearcore and non-core sectors to diversify its business including mineral exploration in the prospective areas of the country,” it added.

Ali Ahmed
24 Nov 2020

The Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) has entered into a joint venture arrangement with a number of companies to undertake potential mining projects in the Province of Balochistan.


As per the company, MPCL has entered into an agreement with Y.B. Pakistan Limited, Arif Habib Equity (Private) Limited, Liberty Mills Limited, and Reliance Commodities (Private) Limited pertaining to a joint venture arrangement through a company (National Resources (Private) Limited (NRL)) to potentially undertake mineral mining projects in the Province of Balochistan.

“These projects will involve, inter alia, exploration, survey, extraction, excavation, mining and sale of produced minerals. MPCL, in the initial stages will acquire approximately up to 20 percent equity share in NRL,” informed MPCL in a statement.

The company further said that the joint venture is subject to necessary regulatory approvals from relevant authorities, including clearance from the Competition Commission of Pakistan, under the Competition Act, 2010 and in due course, grant of necessary license(s) and lease(s).

“As part of its long term growth strategy, MPCL is evaluating multiple opportunities in nearcore and non-core sectors to diversify its business including mineral exploration in the prospective areas of the country,” it added.

It is pertinent to note that formerly known as Mari Gas Company Limited. MPCL is primarily an exploration and production company in the upstream segment of the petroleum industry with the principal business activities of oil and gas exploration, drilling, field development, production and distribution of hydrocarbons like natural gas, crude oil, condensate and LPG.

 

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