UNDP to help Balochistan strengthen its social sector

QUETTA: A team of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) consisting of experts would soon visit Balochistan to review its requirements and identify more sectors for cooperation.

This was stated by Country Director UNDP Haoliong Xu, who called on Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousaf in Islamabad on Monday. He said UNDP would extend its cooperation to the provincial government in social sector in the light of the recommendations of the team.

“We will also review formation of a consortium comprising of UN organizations working in Pakistan and other international donor agencies for promotion of social sector in Balochistan,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Jam Yousaf welcomed the cooperation of UNDP and other international organizations for promotion of social sector in Balochistan. He said promotion of social sector was the top priority of the government and a major portion of the provincial budget had been allocated for education, health and drinking water sectors.

He, however, said the provincial government lacked resources to achieve its targets in social sector for which the cooperation of international organizations like UNDP would be hailed. Jam lauded the support of UNDP for development of social sector in the province and expressed the hope that the organization would not only carry on its projects in the province, but also extend its cooperation to the provincial government in provision of health, education and other basic living amenities to people.

Haoliong appreciated the steps of the provincial government for promotion of social sector and assured the chief minister of complete support of his organization in elimination of poverty and improving the living style of common man in the province.