DERA MURAD JAMALI: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has disclosed that embezzlement of funds in the Pat Feeder Canal expansion project in Nasirabad district has been unearthed and legal action will soon be initiated against those involved in it.
Speaking to newsmen at a lunch hosted by PML-N legislator Mir Muhammad Khan Lehri in his honour here on Saturday, he said a report regarding corruption in the project had been received by the provincial government.
He said the report had confirmed embezzlement of funds and suggested legal action against several people, including engineers and other government officials and a contractor.
The chief minister said: “We have succeeded in reducing corruption in the province to some extent.”
Replying to a question, he said both the federal and provincial governments were serous in resolving the Balochistan issue. “We are trying our level best to bring all stakeholders to the negotiating table because it is the only way to solve all problems.”
Dr Baloch said the law and order situation had been improved to some extent by taking concrete steps and the government was taking more measures in this regard.
He said development plans could not be implemented without maintaining peace and order. He said strict action would be taken against teachers and doctors who remained absent from duty and asked the administrative officers to monitor their attendance.
Dr Baloch said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had issued instructions for laying two transmission lines to ensure supply of electricity to Sibi and Nasirabad divisions from the Uch Power Plant-II. He said his government was striving to make the Levies more effective by proving its personnel training, weapons and equipment, but he was of the view that this force could not meet the challenges of the modern era like police.