Balochistan solarises over 27,000 agricultural tube wells

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has converted 27,437 agricultural tube wells to solar power and distributed solar energy systems to 15,000 households across the province.

The progress was shared during a departmental performance review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta.

The Balochistan chief secretary presented a comprehensive briefing, stating that 15 new industrial units were established in the past fiscal year.

The meeting was told that in the education sector, 234,779 children were enrolled in schools, while 10,513 teachers were recruited and 17,907 teachers received training.

Also read: Solar buyback rate may drop to Rs11.33 per unit under revised policy

Additionally, it was discussed, 3,049 previously closed schools were made operational and 5,000 unnecessary government posts were abolished.

Expressing strong dissatisfaction over the traditional inefficiency in government offices, the chief minister emphasized the need for autonomous bodies, including WASA, to become revenue-generating institutions.

He also directed the Balochistan Social Welfare Department to immediately set up additional rehabilitation centres for drug addicts, stating that not a single addict should be visible on the streets within three months.

Highlighting youth empowerment, Bugti said the youth skills development programme is key to Balochistan’s bright future and asked the labour department to present a progress report next week.

The meeting also addressed complaints concerning Balochistan students studying in Islamabad under the labour department’s supervision.

All departments were instructed to complete internal approvals for small-scale projects by August 15.