German Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Cyril Nun has said that for development and stability of the Pak-Afghan region, Balochistan is the key location to concentrate on.
“Germany is the biggest trading partner of Pakistan in European Union and providing assistance in education and health sector to Pakistan,” he said while speaking at the launching ceremony of “Water Conservation and Agriculture Management through Social Cohesion and Stabilisation for Improved Livelihoods”, organised by Taraqee Foundation at a local hotel. The total duration of the project is 12 months, which would to be completed by October 30, 2015.
Taraqee Foundation in partnership with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and with the financial support of German Federal Foreign Office has initiated an Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) intervention in Zhob district.
“In development of Balochistan, Germany is financing projects under RAHA programme to specially focus on the host and refugee population in Balochistan,” he added.
The German envoy said that Balochistan is not a forgotten province, Germany has supported development in Balochistan in the past and we will continue its support to the deprived communities of the province. He reassured German support for the development of Balochistan.
Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions General (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch while addressing the participants said that Balochistan is facing numerous developmental challenges and hence needs holistic approach to address the growing challenges. He said there is an immense scope of work in Balochistan that is yet to be undertaken. He also highlighted the issues, which are playing role as key bottleneck to the development of the province and the impacts on the host communities in Balochistan due to huge influx and long stay of Afghan refugees for around 35 years.
He said that Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan territorially with minimum population in comparison to the other provinces and yet the least developed. He added, “This also indicates more resources and support from national and international entities to contribute to the development of Balochistan.” He urged the German government to continue its support, which is very crucial to help the deprived communities in Balochistan.
Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal shared his views about the deprivation of Balochistan province. He called for implementation of development initiatives to cater to the dire needs of the host and refugee population coexisting in the province. He appreciated the efforts of Taraqee Foundation, GIZ and the German Federal Foreign Office for their efforts to overcome the long-lasting development issues and urged them to continue their efforts in this regard.
Adviser to Chief Minister on Livestock, Forest and Environment Obaidullah Jan Babat highlighted the issues relating to development of the province. The adviser appreciated the efforts made by Taraqee Foundation, GIZ and the German Federal Foreign Office for the poor vulnerable communities of Balochistan and concluded with the hope that GIZ & TF will keep playing their role in the development of Balochistan.
Lawmaker Samina Khan highlighted the development issues of Balochistan. While talking to the audiences, she focused on women-related issues and their deprivation, lack of facilities for women regarding health and education in the province and the dilemma they face in their daily life. She also highlighted lack of women participation in the democratic processes and leadership, which maximises their issues faced in every aspect of life. She emphasised on creation of more opportunities for the development of women so that they could lead the agenda of their own development.
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