Law and Order Situation Not a Barrier to Investment in Balochistan: Bilal Khan Kakar
Karachi, August 7: Vice Chairman of the Balochistan Board of Investment & Trade (BBoIT), Bilal Khan Kakar, has rejected the perception that the law and order situation is a hurdle to investment in Balochistan, saying that the security situation in the province is not as bad as it is sometimes portrayed in the media.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the province is emerging as a global investment hub, while the Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies are effectively responding to terrorist elements and have achieved significant successes in recent operations.
He expressed these views while addressing a press conference at the office of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in Karachi on Friday. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Chairman of the Advisory Board Mian Zahid Hussain, and other members and office-bearers of the Federation were also present on the occasion.
Bilal Khan Kakar briefed the participants in detail about the overall law and order situation in the province, the successes of security forces against terrorists, measures being taken by the provincial government to promote investment, the role of BBoIT, and ongoing and proposed investment projects.
Inviting the business community from across the country to invest in Balochistan, he said that Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area and offers vast investment opportunities in several sectors, including natural resources, minerals, its coastline, Gwadar Port, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, tourism and renewable energy. The provincial government is taking practical steps to transform these opportunities into economic activity, employment and sustainable development.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the provincial government has accorded special priority to promoting investment, facilitating businesses and restoring the confidence of the private sector.
The government’s objective is to provide investors with a secure, transparent and business-friendly environment so that both local and foreign investors can benefit from Balochistan’s true economic potential.
He said that progress is being made on several major investment initiatives in Balochistan, including shrimp farming, fisheries, minerals, energy, industrial zones, oil recycling, medical and nursing education, and other sectors. The shrimp hatchery project in Gadani and the shrimp farming project in Damb, Lasbela, are practical examples of efforts to transform the province’s coastal resources into productive economic activity.
The Vice Chairman said that the negative perception regarding investment in Balochistan needs to be viewed in the context of ground realities. He said that commercial, industrial, educational, tourism and development activities are continuing in different parts of the province, while the number of investors and businesspeople benefiting from the available opportunities is increasing.
He said that the security forces are conducting effective operations against hostile and terrorist elements, resulting in significant damage to terrorist networks. The Government of Balochistan and law enforcement agencies are taking coordinated measures to maintain law and order and provide a secure environment not only for the people but also for investors and the business community.
Bilal Khan Kakar said that BBoIT is further strengthening its one-window and digital facilitation mechanisms to assist investors in selecting projects, coordinating with relevant departments, obtaining permits and addressing other requirements. Through the Business Facilitation Centre, efforts are also being made to facilitate investors in obtaining registrations, certificates, licences and other necessary approvals.
On the occasion, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh and Chairman Advisory Board Mian Zahid Hussain expressed their commitment to continued cooperation for promoting investment in Balochistan, strengthening business linkages and increasing private-sector participation in the province’s economic development.