CM Bugti, UNICEF Join Hands to Strengthen Health, Education and Child Welfare in Balochistan.

QUETTA, Sept 01 (APP): Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti held a meeting with UNICEF Country Representative in Pakistan, Pernille Ironside, to discuss key initiatives aimed at improving health, education and child welfare in the province.During the meeting, both sides agreed to enhance coordination to make public welfare programs more effective and ensure that reforms directly benefit the people. UNICEF offered technical assistance and specialized training programs to build the capacity of provincial health staff.CM Bugti appreciated the role of global partners in supporting provincial projects, noting that immunization campaigns and polio eradication drives have become more effective due to their contribution. He said extraordinary resources have been allocated to strengthen primary healthcare, with large-scale reforms underway in the sector.On education, the Chief Minister shared that 3,200 closed schools have been reopened in the past year and 1,200 new community schools will be established during the current year. “We are determined to ensure that no school in Balochistan remains closed by the end of this year,” he stressed. To address staff shortages, he said contract recruitments in both education and health departments are being carried out.CM Bugti also highlighted that the government is monitoring potential flood threats in districts bordering Sindh and has finalized precautionary measures for vulnerable areas. On women’s empowerment, he announced the launch of Balochistan’s first Women’s Economic Empowerment Endowment Fund.UNICEF’s Country Representative reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continue supporting the provincial government, emphasizing that children’s welfare in Balochistan remains UNICEF’s top priority.