A nine member high level delegation from Balochistan led by the Minister for Irrigation and Energy Nawabzada Changez Khan Marri arrived earlier this week in Brussels for a four day official visit. The delegation will meet with heads of various committees in the European Parliament, parliamentarians and high officials of Belgian Government and European Union to present and discuss opportunities for Europe in the province of Balochistan in Pakistan, which, in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC), has been emerging as an important hub of economic and business activity in the region.
The delegation is comprised of Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Mr Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Minister for Health Mr Rehmat Saleh Baloch; Members of Balochistan Assembly Mr Nasrullah Khan, Mr Ahmed Ali, Mr Tahir Mahmood and Mr Muhammad Raza and tribal notable Mr Umair Ahmed Hussaini. The official spokesman of the Government of Balochistan Mr Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar is also accompanying the delegation.
A meeting of the delegation with the Pakistani diaspora was also arranged by the Embassy of Pakistan at the chancery on the very first day of their visit. In his address to the community, Balochistan’s Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Mr Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti said that the CPEC has emerged as a game changer for the Balochistan, since the project would bring immense economic opportunity for the province as well as the neighbouring countries of Pakistan. He added that being the starting point for One Belt One Road Project, CPEC also holds prospects for the European countries.
Balochistan has an area of 347,190 Sq Km with very large reserves of natural resources including gold, copper, natural gas and a large variety of minerals. Its 750 km long coastline, with one of the world's biggest deep sea port of Gwader, make the province an attractive hub of economic connectivity in Asia.
During the meeting with the Pakistani community in Brussels, the Minister for Health Mr Rehmat Saleh Baloch highlighted to the audience developments in the social sector. He explained that previously there was just one university in the entire province, and that now there are universities in nearly all the districts of Balochistan. The number of medical colleges has also been tripled during past few years. He said that law and order situation has also improved, and that efforts to protect targeted violence against various communities have shown great success.
The Brussels Times
