QUETTA(National Times)- Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti has assured national and international investors of a secure and conducive business environment in the province, saying that the Reko Diq project’s camp remained untouched for more than a decade after Barrick Gold withdrew from the project.
Speaking at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad on Thursday, he said the provincial government, in cooperation with the people of Balochistan, was committed to providing a safe environment and all necessary facilities to investors.
“Balochistan is not only rich in natural resources, but its people also have a glorious tradition of hospitality, tolerance and keeping their promises. When Barrick returned to the Reko Diq project, not even a T-shirt or a teacup was missing from its camp, which had remained unoccupied for more than a decade,” CM Bugti said, describing the incident as a reflection of the character and culture of the people of Balochistan.
He said the provincial government would provide comprehensive security, a one-window operation and all necessary facilities to investors across the province, including those operating in the Mineral Corridor, adding that there would be no room for red tape.
CM Bugti said people were central to investment and security, adding that the people of Balochistan welcomed national and international partners and wanted investors to benefit from the opportunities available in the province.
He said the government’s policy was to create a safe and conducive environment for investors by taking the local populace on board and winning their trust and support.
The federal and provincial governments were fully committed to maintaining law and order, while security institutions had the required capacity and capability, he added.
He said a separate security division had been established to protect the Mineral Corridor, while a new wing of the Frontier Corps was also being formed to provide security to investors across the province, particularly in the corridor.
The chief minister said the real challenge to investment in Balochistan was not merely security but the gap between the negative perception of the province and ground realities, as negative perceptions often spread faster than facts.
He said media coverage did not always reflect the true picture of the entire province, adding that Balochistan was a diverse region whose people welcomed investors and wanted national and foreign companies to contribute to its development.
“I assure national and international investors that the provincial government will fulfil its responsibility to provide protection and a conducive environment for their investments in Balochistan,” CM Bugti said.
He added that the province was rich in natural resources, including minerals, oil and gas, and offered vast investment opportunities in its underground mineral wealth.
Citing Reko Diq as a prominent example, he said the project was expected to commence operations by 2029. He also said that positive developments were expected in the coming months regarding oil and gas reserves in the Saruna area.
He said the estimated reserves in the area were even greater than those of the historic Sui gas field, which had played an important role in meeting Pakistan’s energy requirements for more than seven decades.
CM Bugti said the provincial government, in cooperation with the federal government, planned to establish a Fertiliser City in Sui, where low-BTU gas was available and could be effectively utilised for industrial and agricultural purposes.
Inviting investors to participate in this project as well as other industrial and mineral ventures, he said the government would ensure security and provide all necessary civic and basic facilities in accordance with investors’ requirements.
