Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti visited Panjgur where he inaugurated key development initiatives, including the restoration of the historic Shahu Qalandar shrine and the establishment of a Women Skill Development Centre (WSDC), while also addressing public grievances at an open court session.
During the visit, the Chief Minister formally inaugurated the reconstruction and restoration of the shrine of Sufi saint Shahu Qalandar, which had fallen into disrepair in the Ghareebabad area of Panjgur. The Government of Balochistan had approved Rs 18 million for the preservation of the site, recognizing its religious, cultural, and historical significance.
The restoration project was executed by Frontier Corps Balochistan (South) with technical support from Walled City of Lahore Authority, ensuring that the shrine was rehabilitated with professional expertise in heritage conservation. The initiative is expected to promote religious tourism and protect regional cultural identity.
Appreciating the performance of FC Balochistan (South), the Chief Minister assigned the force additional responsibilities for the restoration of other historical landmarks, including Khudabadan Fort in Panjgur and Punnu Fort in Turbat.
In a significant step toward women empowerment, Bugti also inaugurated the Women Skill Development Centre established under the Parwaaz Foundation of FC Balochistan (South). The centre aims to equip women with practical skills in IT, stitching, embroidery, artwork, basic healthcare, and religious education.
Currently, 300 female students have commenced training in the first batch, while registration of 280 additional students has already been completed for the next phase. The Chief Minister announced financial support of Rs 1 million for faculty and Rs 500,000 per month for administrative expenses, along with expanding the IT lab capacity from 20 to 100 students.
Later, the Chief Minister attended an open court (khuli kachehri) at the Panjgur Rifles Headquarters, where he directly listened to public concerns and issued on-the-spot directives.
On the occasion, Bugti announced several development initiatives for the district, including the establishment of an olive oil processing plant to boost the local economy, provision of green and pink buses to improve urban transport, and allocation of Rs 10 million for the repair of Government Boys Degree College Khudabadan, which was damaged in a terrorist attack.
He also assured resolution of issues related to border crossing, implementation challenges of the one-document regime, and the establishment of an FIA immigration desk. Additionally, he pledged to address the longstanding issues faced by the University of Makran Panjgur campus.
The visit highlights the provincial government’s focus on infrastructure development, cultural preservation, and socio-economic uplift in the Makran region.
