Balochistan News, Divisions and Real Estate Updates

Dera Bugti : ReNews Pakistan
The Balochistan government has accelerated work on the first phase of the Sui Master Plan, a major urban development initiative aimed at upgrading basic infrastructure and expanding civic facilities in Sui, Dera Bugti district.
Progress on the plan was reviewed at a high level meeting chaired by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and attended by senior provincial officials, project authorities and representatives of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL).
Officials briefed the meeting on the status of development works included in the first phase and the arrangements being made for their implementation. The projects are intended to address longstanding infrastructure requirements in Sui while improving public amenities and the overall urban environment.
Under the financing arrangement, the Balochistan government and PPL will jointly fund the first phase on a 50:50 basis. The partnership is expected to support timely execution of the projects and provide the financial resources required for a substantial improvement in the town’s civic infrastructure.
The first phase covers a broad range of development works, including the construction and improvement of illuminated roads and the establishment of a modern sewerage system. These projects are expected to improve mobility, sanitation and the quality of municipal services available to residents.
Major public facilities planned under the programme also include the Mir Ghulam Qadir Bugti Stadium and a dedicated ladies park, expanding recreational and community spaces in the town.
Transport infrastructure is another important component of the master plan. A new bus terminal and truck stand are planned to better organise passenger and freight movement and reduce pressure on existing urban infrastructure.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti directed the departments and agencies concerned to maintain strict construction and engineering standards throughout the implementation of the projects. He warned that firms, contractors or individuals found responsible for substandard work would face legal action.
The chief minister said providing essential civic services to the people of Sui remained a government priority and stressed that development under the master plan should contribute towards transforming the town into a modern and properly planned urban centre.
He also directed officials responsible for the projects to personally supervise progress rather than relying solely on routine administrative monitoring. Authorities were instructed to ensure that construction schedules were followed and completed facilities were delivered to the public according to the required standards.
The Sui Master Plan carries particular significance because the town is located in one of Pakistan’s most important natural gas-producing regions. Despite its strategic importance to the country's energy sector, the area has continued to face infrastructure and urban service challenges. The planned investments are intended to improve living conditions by expanding municipal, recreational and transport facilities.
The involvement of PPL in financing the first phase also brings the energy company into a direct partnership with the provincial government for civic development in the area.
The meeting was attended by Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Finance Secretary Jahangir Khan, Project Director Rafiq Baloch and other senior officials.
Representatives of Pakistan Petroleum Limited, along with officials from Sibi Division and Dera Bugti, participated in the proceedings through video link.
The provincial government has directed the concerned authorities to maintain close oversight of the programme as work proceeds, with particular emphasis on construction quality, timely completion and ensuring that the planned infrastructure delivers tangible improvements in civic services for the residents of Sui.

Gwadar : ReNews Pakistan
The Gwadar Port Authority and South Air have agreed to formalise a partnership aimed at promoting Gwadar as a major coastal tourism destination and improving air connectivity to the port city.
The understanding was reached during a meeting attended by Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor ul Haq Baloch, Member of the National Assembly Romina Khurshid Alam, who is also a member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, and South Air Chief Operating Officer Ejaz Mahmood Malik.
During the meeting, the participants discussed measures to strengthen Gwadar’s tourism sector by improving air links and jointly promoting the city’s natural, cultural and economic attractions.
Under the proposed partnership, the Gwadar Port Authority and South Air will launch coordinated promotional campaigns highlighting Gwadar’s coastline, scenic locations, cultural heritage and tourism opportunities. These campaigns are expected to target domestic and international tourists as well as potential investors.
Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor ul Haq Baloch said the initiative was aligned with the vision of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to develop Gwadar not only as a strategic maritime gateway but also as a centre for tourism, investment and sustainable economic growth.
He said stronger air connectivity was essential for increasing tourist arrivals, facilitating business travel and improving access to the port city. Better connectivity, he added, could help create new opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport services, tour operators and other tourism related businesses.
The meeting also reviewed an earlier proposal discussed between the GPA chairman and South Air Station Manager Muhammad Saleem regarding the expansion of air services to Gwadar.
Officials said the proposed expansion could support tourism development and help the city benefit more effectively from its coastal attractions and growing strategic importance.
The participants expressed confidence that closer cooperation between public institutions and the private sector would help position Gwadar as a leading coastal tourism destination.
They added that the initiative could also attract new investment, generate employment and support wider economic development in the region.

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
The chairman of the MCC Huaye Duddar Mining Project has urged the federal and Balochistan governments to introduce comprehensive tax reforms and simplify administrative procedures, warning that the current taxation regime and bureaucratic hurdles are limiting foreign investment and slowing the growth of the province’s mining industry.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Duddar mining project, Chairman Zhang Liangeng, also known as Hopang, said the company continues to face significant operational challenges due to multiple taxes and administrative requirements imposed by both the federal and provincial governments. He stressed that the existing regulatory framework increases costs, delays business operations and reduces the competitiveness of mining projects in Pakistan.
Zhang said Balochistan possesses vast mineral resources with the potential to attract substantial international investment, create employment opportunities and contribute to Pakistan’s economic development. However, he warned that investors require a predictable, transparent and business-friendly policy environment before committing long-term capital to large-scale mining ventures.
He noted that although the federal government had granted the Duddar mining project Export Processing Zone (EPZ) status to facilitate exports and provide tax incentives, the project continues to bear a federal tax burden of up to 42 percent. According to Zhang, such a high level of taxation is inconsistent with the objectives of the EPZ incentive framework and undermines the effectiveness of measures designed to encourage foreign investment.
Calling for a review of existing taxation policies, Zhang urged policymakers to rationalise taxes, remove unnecessary procedural barriers and create a more supportive investment climate for the mining sector. He said policy reforms would not only improve the viability of existing projects but also encourage new foreign investors to explore Balochistan’s untapped mineral potential.
Industry observers believe that improving the regulatory environment, ensuring policy consistency and reducing unnecessary administrative obstacles could help Pakistan attract greater international investment into its mining sector, strengthening exports, generating employment and supporting long-term economic growth.