QUETTA: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a transformative initiative for Balochistan’s agriculture sector during his visit to the province’s capital on Monday.
He stated that the federal government, in collaboration with the provincial government, will convert all 28,000 tube wells in Balochistan to solar power within three months, at an estimated cost of 55 billion rupees. An agreement to this effect was signed between the Federal and Balochistan governments in Quetta today after a cabinet meeting attended by key figures including the Governor, Chief Minister, and federal and provincial ministers.
Shehbaz Sharif said that seventy percent of the funding will be provided by the federal government, with the remaining thirty percent from the provincial government, aiming for completion within three months. He added that Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has assured that the solarization of tube wells will be completed in three months, which is expected to save around 90 billion rupees annually.
The premier emphasized that without advancing Balochistan, Pakistan’s overall progress would be incomplete. He highlighted that his government has allocated a budget of 500 billion rupees for the tube wells project, benefiting 28,000 farmers.
He underscored that the federal government has historically borne significant annual electricity costs for Balochistan’s tube wells, amounting to billions of rupees. Transitioning to solar power is expected to reduce these expenses, easing pressure on the federal budget. Balochistan has committed to fully supporting the challenge of converting 28,000 tube wells to solar systems within the stipulated timeframe.
PM Shehbaz also revealed plans to swiftly implement a national model for converting one million diesel-operated tube wells to solar energy, with favorable loan terms offered to farmers to facilitate this transition.
Addressing education, specific funds have been allocated for Balochistan’s educational institutions in the budget. However, he acknowledged that addressing broader challenges in the province requires substantial financial support comparable to other regions.
Additionally, Pakistan plans to send one thousand children to China for agricultural education, with Balochistan receiving a ten percent higher allocation compared to other provinces.
PM Shehbaz emphasized that these measures are crucial for enhancing national welfare, cautioning that failure to act now could necessitate seeking support from the IMF in the future.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے کوئٹہ میں بلوچستان کی کابینہ سے ملاقات کی جس میں وفاقی وزراء، گورنر و وزیر اعلیٰ بلوچستان اور متعلقہ اعلیٰ حکام نے شرکت کی۔
وفاقی حکومت کا بلوچستان حکومت کے ساتھ مل کر بلوچستان کے تقریباً 28 ہزار بجلی پر چلنے والے ٹیوب ویلز کو سولر پر منتقل کرنے کا… pic.twitter.com/I7U3LfVxfv
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 8, 2024
