Balochistan accelerates push for green reforms

QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Wednesday approved plans to convert Quetta’s public bus services to electric vehicles and shift the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to solar power as part of a wider drive focused on sustainable development in the province.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) board chaired by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. The meeting reviewed a range of projects linked to efficient energy use, environmentally friendly transport, and a greater role for the private sector in public service initiatives.

The board granted in-principle approval for the gradual conversion of Quetta’s Green and Pink bus services into electric buses. Officials said the move is intended to help lower pollution in urban areas while offering residents modern, safe and comfortable transport facilities.

The board also approved a plan to run the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on solar energy. According to officials, the project is expected to reduce operational expenses and support the provincial government’s environment-friendly policy direction.

"Development projects were being made faster, more effective, and sustainable through public-private partnerships,"Chief Minister Bugti said during the meeting. He said the government was committed to benefiting from private sector expertise and investment to provide modern infrastructure and services in the province

The chief minister also said that promoting eco-friendly transport would play an important role in reducing urban pollution and improving travel for the public, adding that alternative energy remained a key priority of the government.

"The provincial government is taking practical steps under a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to ensure sustainable development, economic stability, and public welfare in Balochistan," he said.

Other welfare and development projects reviewed

In a separate high-level meeting, officials reviewed progress on several other major welfare and development schemes across Balochistan.

Officials said the new People’s Train Service is expected to be launched on Aug 14, adding that the train’s bogies have been fully prepared. The project is being described as an important step towards improving travel facilities for the public.

Officials also reported progress on security and urban development, saying that eight major cities in Balochistan are planned to be declared Safe Cities by June 30 in an effort to strengthen urban security.

On public health, officials said Balochistan had outperformed other provinces in routine immunisation and had achieved 94pc of its targets.

In the education sector, officials reported that 2,100 new community schools had been established, bringing more than 136,000 out-of-school children back into the education system.

Other ongoing projects include the installation of 1,255 water filtration plants in 900 union councils to provide safe drinking water. Work is also continuing on five new dams that are expected to irrigate more than 42,000 acres of land.

The meetings were attended by senior provincial officials, including Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, who reiterated the government’s focus on ensuring timely completion of the projects. He directed all departments to maintain continuous monitoring so that targets are met within the prescribed deadlines.