ISLAMABAD: In a significant move set to transform the region’s economic landscape, a major Pak-China joint mineral processing project has been launched in Balochistan, marking a key milestone under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The foundation for what officials are calling a “revolution” in the mineral sector was laid with the signing of an agreement between the Chinese company Guangdong Hunder and Pakistan’s Sanjrani Mining Company. The joint venture aims to establish state-of-the-art mineral processing facilities in the resource-rich province, focusing on the better and more efficient treatment of Balochistan’s vast mineral resources.
According to official details, the project is poised to significantly increase both the quantity and quality of mineral production. By moving up the value chain from raw extraction to modern processing, the initiative is expected to maximize the economic return from the province’s natural wealth. This aligns directly with the broader development goals of CPEC, which envisions such large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects as catalysts for long-term economic stability in Pakistan.
The successful implementation of this venture is anticipated to have a ripple effect far beyond Balochistan’s borders. It is projected to play a crucial role in bolstering national economic stability. Furthermore, with the high-level facilitation of the SIFC, this project is being showcased as a benchmark for future foreign investment. Analysts believe its success will serve as a powerful magnet, attracting other international investors to Pakistan’s burgeoning mineral and industrial sectors, thereby unlocking new avenues for growth and prosperity. The project is widely heralded as a potential game-changer for both Balochistan and the national economy.
Meanwhile in a significant move to strengthen grassroots democracy, the newly formed “Reforms Committee for the Local Government System” held its inaugural meeting at the Information Technology Secretary’s office on Wednesday. The committee, established on the special directives of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, aims to revamp the province’s local governance framework.
The meeting, chaired by Convener and Secretary IT Ayaz Khan Mandokhail, brought together a diverse group of seasoned bureaucrats and elected representatives. Key figures in attendance included Secretary Local Government Abdul Rauf Baloch, former caretaker Minister retired Sheikh Muhammad-ul-Hassan, former secretaries Ghulam Ali Baloch and Dostain Khan Jamaldini, and Turbat Mayor Balakh Sher Qazi.
