QUETTA: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday launched the ‘Khushhal Balochistan’ project in Quetta. The initiative is aimed at bringing enduring stability in the province through socio-economic development and security. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a high level meeting was held at the headquarters of the Southern Command to review the development project. The COAS and the provincial chief minister were briefed in detail about the socio-economic and security environment in the province and course of action for execution of the initiative. This is the second uplift package unveiled for the province within a month after Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced a 10-year mega development plan for Balochistan. The package included provision of natural gas, electricity and water to the inhabitants. All aspects of the initiative in the security domain were approved by the COAS while a few others required further deliberations at the staff level which would be finalised accordingly in the next few days. Gen Bajwa said that army will provide full support to federal and provincial governments for success of the program. He said that the initiative in fact was ‘Khushhal Balochistan, Khushhal Pakistan’. Balochistan chief minister appreciated the contributions by army in improving security in the province and support for the execution of the plan. In September, the army chief had said the Pakistan Army will continue assisting in the security and development of Balochistan, and that the uplift projects in the province will be completed on time. Published in Daily Times, November 24th 2017.