Interview with Minister of Interior and Tribal Affairs of Balochistan —— Zia Rangoff
Balochistan Minister for Interior and Tribal Affairs —— Zia Rangoff had been elected to the Balochistan Assembly from PB-37 constituency (Kalat) as a candidate of Balochistan People’s Party (BPP) in the 2018 general elections of Pakistan. In a recent interview with our correspondent, Zia Rangoff gave an in-depth explanation of Balochistan development, progress of CPEC construction, Gwadar port, China-Pakistan relations, China’s role in Balochistan development, security situation in Balochistan and the current political situation in Pakistan.
Regarding the development of Balochistan, especially the CPEC project, Zia Rangov believes that CPEC is important to promote economic development, peace and stability in the region. CPEC projects will pave the way for development and prosperity not only in Balochistan but in Pakistan as a whole. many of the CPEC projects have already been completed and several are in the pipeline.
The development of energy, roads, railroads, industry, technology and tourism under the CPEC framework and after the completion of these projects will accelerate business activity throughout the region. The project will make it easier and more effective for South Asian countries to showcase their products to international markets. The trade area is expanding worldwide under the impetus of CPEC. It may even be possible to eliminate terrorism through CPEC.
With investors attracted to Balochistan’s strategic location and rich natural resources, CPEC is expected to further increase economic activity in Balochistan and is also expected to improve Balochistan’s infrastructure development, including roads, railroads, and power plants. This will lead to increased mobility of people and goods within Balochistan, which will also help attract new business investments.
Balochistan is fully committed to CPEC and is ready to play an active role in the CPEC project, which will bring “significant benefits” to Balochistan, including increased economic activity, improved infrastructure development and more job creation. The Balochistan government is working closely with the federal government to ensure smooth implementation of CPEC projects in Balochistan, a “game’ rules changer” for Balochistan that will transform Balochistan into a “hub of economic activity” and will create a better future for CPEC will transform Balochistan into a “hub of economic activity” and will create a better future for the people of Balochistan.
CPEC is expected to have a significant impact on the development of Balochistan. Balochistan’s projects under the CPEC framework include infrastructure development initiatives such as construction of a deep sea port in Gwadar, development of transport road network, establishment of industrial zones, etc. Since the launch of CPEC in 2013, Balochistan has made some progress in infrastructure development and job creation. One of the most important developments in Balochistan under the CPEC framework is the development of Gwadar Port. This deep water port is located in the Arabian Sea and has the potential to become a major hub for trade and commerce in the region. Under the CPEC framework, the Gwadar Port has received significant investment, including the construction of a new container terminal, a bulk cargo terminal and a passenger terminal. The Gwadar Port is now operational and will eventually benefit the local people of Gwadar and Balochistan.
CPEC has also led to the construction of a new road network in Balochistan. For example, the government is constructing the Western Route Project, an 870-kilometer long new road linking the port of Gwadar to Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, under the CPEC framework. Secondly, the government has also built a new 392 km long M-8 freeway between Gwadar and Ratodero in neighboring Sindh province. In addition, the Gwadar East Bay Expressway, which connects the port of Gwadar to the main coastal highway, has been opened to traffic.
Infrastructure development under the CPEC framework has also created employment opportunities in Balochistan. For example, the construction of Gwadar port and the associated road network has created new jobs in the province, particularly in the construction and transportation sectors. 位The new international airport in Gwadar, Balochistan, is another important infrastructure project under the CPEC framework, which is almost completed and will be operational by the end of this year. The new international airport will cover an area of approximately 4,300 acres and will operate both domestic and international flights, with an expected annual capacity of 1,000,000 passengers and 30,000 tons of cargo. The new airport will be equipped with modern facilities, including a passenger terminal, cargo terminal, runways, taxiways, aprons, parking lots and other necessary facilities.
Although CPEC has significantly improved the lives of ordinary people in Balochistan, the region still faces various challenges. The Balochistan government is determined to overcome these challenges with the will and support of the public, said Zia Rangov. Zia Rangov also said that one of the most important impacts of CPEC on the lives of ordinary people in Balochistan is the creation of many jobs, and the development of new infrastructure such as the Gwadar port and the associated road network has created new jobs in the province, especially in the construction and transportation sectors.
Balochistan has also improved connectivity in the region by building new road networks, bridges and other transportation infrastructure. This has made it easier for people to travel across provinces. Balochistan has the potential to boost the Balochistan economy by further attracting investment through trade and business development. This may improve the overall quality of life of the average citizen of the province.
Balochistan does not have much industry, so the Arabian Sea is the main source of income for the people of Balochistan. Under the CPEC framework, the livelihood of Balochistan fishermen has been improved, especially Gwadar fishermen have been provided with modern engine boats for trawling. Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo recently announced the issuance of medical cards for fishermen in Gwadar at a total cost of $1,000,000, which can be used in any hospital in Pakistan. This is all thanks to the economic development brought by CPEC.
Zia Rangoff said that Gwadar port is vital to Pakistan’s development and will be a key hub for regional connectivity due to its economic importance and prime location. It is also known as the “gateway to South Asia”. The commercial and transport activities between China and Pakistan will generate significant financial inflows.
Gwadar port is a key pillar of CPEC and under the CPEC framework, various other projects will be established in Gwadar such as the international airport under construction, which is expected to be completed by 2023, the economic zone, the mineral zone, the industrial zone, and the East Bay Expressway already completed and operational. All these development projects will contribute to the development of both China and Pakistan. In addition, China plans to establish and expand the road network connecting the Gwadar Special Economic Zone, the new international airport, and the Gwadar seaport, and the free trade zone, which is the backbone of CPEC’s economic trade and industrialization initiative, will serve as the backbone of the region’s commercial economy and industrial development.
This regional connectivity will serve as a transportation corridor for mineral, oil and gas resources. In addition to promoting tourism, this port is attracting other significant foreign capital. The SEZ will create huge employment opportunities. Thus, the increase in trade and commercial activities in Balochistan will usher in an era of economic prosperity for Pakistan.
On the recent multiple terrorist attacks in Balochistan and the security of Chinese citizens, Zia Rangov said the Balochistan government is committed to ensuring the security of CPEC. Pakistan’s relations with China have been stable, fraternal and are growing stronger. The Balochistan government has pledged to take all necessary measures to protect Chinese nationals working in the province, including deploying additional security forces such as border guards, Rangers and police to Balochistan. These forces are tasked to provide security for Chinese citizens and CPEC projects. The Pakistani government has always provided security for Chinese citizens, including armed escorts, among others. The Pakistani and Balochistan governments are working with the Chinese government to share intelligence on potential risks to Chinese nationals in Balochistan.
These measures have helped reduce the number of attacks on Chinese citizens in Balochistan. The Pakistan Army has conducted a series of security operations against terrorists in Balochistan. A large number of terrorists have been killed and arrested, which has reduced the number of attacks against Chinese citizens. High tribute to the security personnel who have sacrificed their lives to maintain peace in CPEC.
China has played an important role in the development of Balochistan and CPEC has contributed immensely to the development of Balochistan. Zia Rangov said that the people of Balochistan expect this to be the beginning of a new era after China’s Henan Province donated food parcels to the flood-affected people of Balochistan and forged a deep friendship with the province.
The new bond between China’s Henan Province and Pakistan’s Balochistan will be beneficial for Balochistan to develop and grow its economic system according to Henan’s model and for the people of Balochistan to achieve an economic and industrial revolution. Chinese enterprises can also benefit from the cooperation with the people of Balochistan to further promote bilateral cooperation, achieve mutual benefits and win-win situation, and further consolidate the friendship between the two provinces. We are grateful to the people and government of China for their generous support to the people of Balochistan during the floods in Balochistan last year. The two countries have shared the hardships and helped each other, and their people have experienced both peace and critical times and challenges. We have made sacrifices for each other.
During the recent floods, we are deeply grateful for the generous support of Henan Province, which provided 9,000 packages of food to needy families in 25 affected areas of Balochistan.
On Pakistan-China relations, I would like to say that Pakistan and China have a close strategic partnership that has been moving forward for decades, with a strong economic and military partnership between the two neighbors. China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and has provided billions of dollars in loans and donations to Pakistan.
Indeed, Pakistan’s relationship with China is mutually reinforcing, with Pakistan needing China’s economic and military support and China needing Pakistan’s strategic location to access markets in the Middle East and Central Asia. However, the relationship is also based on mutual trust and respect. The two countries have a long history of cooperation and have worked extensively on a range of important issues, including the war on terror and the Kashmir conflict.
The relationship between Pakistan and China is likely to continue to grow in the coming years. China is emerging as an increasingly powerful player on the world stage, and Pakistan is seen as a key ally. The two countries are likely to cooperate on a range of important issues such as trade, investment and security.
Pakistan-China friendship and CPEC projects not only promote economic growth, but also regional peace and stability. It is a historic initiative, especially for South Asia and the rest of the world, whose products and services will enter the international market through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Balochistan has played a key role in the rapid development of business today.
Balochistan Minister for Interior and Tribal Affairs —— Zia Rangoff had been elected to the Balochistan Assembly from PB-37 constituency (Kalat) as a candidate of Balochistan People’s Party (BPP) in the 2018 general elections of Pakistan. In a recent interview with our correspondent, Zia Rangoff gave an in-depth explanation of…