ISLAMABAD: The federal government has called on Balochistan to urgently finalize and submit its socio-economic development action plan, as part of a coordinated national strategy to uplift underdeveloped and conflict-affected regions.
The directive came from Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, who chaired the 5th meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee on the Socio-Economic Domain in Islamabad on Thursday.
Highlighting the province’s strategic importance, the minister emphasized that Balochistan must expedite its planning process and align with national priorities to ensure its timely inclusion in development frameworks reviewed by the APEX Committee.
Ahsan Iqbal also stressed the need to reframe the national narrative around conflict-prone areas by focusing on transformative, district-level interventions. He announced that initial efforts will center on select districts in the tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with a strong emphasis on youth development, entrepreneurship, alternative livelihoods, and broader socio-economic empowerment.
“These interventions aim not just at relief, but long-term stability and opportunity,” he said, urging provinces to take ownership of the development agenda.
The minister also highlighted that effective implementation of these plans requires inter-agency coordination, improved governance at the local level, and data-driven planning.
He noted that success depends on aligning provincial priorities with federal support mechanisms, especially under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
Participants of the meeting, including senior officials from various ministries and provincial representatives, agreed on the urgency of bridging regional disparities and committed to accelerating the formulation of localized action plans.
The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge to promote inclusive growth and ensure that no region is left behind in the national development process.
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