GWADAR: The inauguration of a water desalination plant is an important step for peace and development in Balochistan, Gwadar district authority said on Monday.
“This is a great initiative, and it’s a positive step toward resolving the problems of the people of Balochistan,” Deputy Commissioner of Gwadar Naeem Bazai told Arab News. “I am hopeful that the desalination project will also attract more investors. Besides, people are tired of depending on rain as their only source of water in the province. Another source is vital.”
On Sunday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, along with the United Arab Emirates and Swiss governments, inaugurated a water desalination plant in Gwadar.
The project aims to address the scarcity of drinking water by providing 4.4 million gallons water per day, with an additional capacity to increase to 8.8 million gallons per day, an Inter-Services public relations statement said. The project is set to reach completion in six to eight months.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Commander Southern Command Lt. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa were among the prominent guests to grace the occasion.
As power remains an issue in the province, the deputy commissioner said Balochistan is producing about 17 megawatts of electricity but the demand for it is much higher. “Apart from this, if the basic facilities are provided to the people of Balochistan, then the government has done its job and the private sector will find ways to improve the living standards of the people.”
The COAS, while inaugurating the project, said all measures were being taken in coordination with the government, and that “would bring peace and prosperity to the province.”
Behram Baloch, a local journalist and activist, said: “The common man in Gwadar wants those basic facilities to be provided to them. And their No. 1 concern is water.”
The Army chief said that the prosperity of Balochistan was the prosperity of Pakistan.
“The people are hopeful that the COAS will keep his word and resolve the water scarcity issue before Ramazan,” said Behram.
Gwadar authorities welcome desalination plant
Gwadar authorities welcome desalination plant
Customs seize narcotics, smuggled goods, vehicles worth $4.9 million in southwest Pakistan
- Customs seize 22.14 kg narcotics, consignments of smuggled betel nuts, Hino trucks, auto parts, says FBR
- Smuggled goods enter Pakistan’s Balochistan province from neighboring countries Iran and Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs seized narcotics, smuggled goods and vehicles worth a total of Rs1.38 billion [$4.92 million] in the southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a statement.
Customs Enforcement Quetta seized and recovered 22.14 kilograms of narcotics and consignments of smuggled goods comprising betel nuts, Indian medicines, Chinese salt, auto parts, a ROCO vehicle and three Hino trucks in two separate operations, the FBR said. All items cost an estimated Rs1.38 billion, it added.
Smuggled items make their way into Pakistan through southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan.
“These operations are part of the collectorate’s intensified enforcement drive aimed at curbing smuggling and dismantling illegal trade networks,” the FBR said.
“All the seized narcotics, goods and vehicles have been taken into custody, and legal proceedings under the Customs Act 1969 have been formally initiated.”
In the first operation, customs officials intercepted three containers during routine checking at FEU Zariat Cross (ZC) area. The containers were being transported from Quetta to Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the FBR said.
The vehicles intercepted included three Hino trucks. Their detailed examination led to the recovery of the smuggled goods which were concealed in the containers.
In the second operation, the staff of the Collectorate of Enforcement Customs, Quetta, intercepted a ROCO vehicle at Zariat Cross area with the local police’s assistance.
The driver was interrogated while the vehicle was searched, the FBR said.
“During interrogation, it was disclosed that drugs were concealed inside the spare wheel at the bottom side of the vehicle,” it said.
“Upon thorough checking, suspected narcotics believed to be heroin was recovered which was packed in 41 packets, each weighing 0.54 kilograms.”
The narcotics weighed a total of 22.14 kilograms, with an estimated value of Rs1.23 billion in the international market, the FBR concluded.
“The Federal Board of Revenue has commended the Customs Enforcement Quetta team for their effective action and reiterated its firm resolve to combat smuggling, illicit trade and illegal economic activities across the country,” it said.
