Balochistan Assembly passes resolution to devolve local government powers

QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly session, chaired by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, began 25 minutes late. Members spoke on a range of issues, including law and order in the province, the attack on the house of Mir Qambar Mengal, inspection of educational institution buildings, the Asma Jatak case, the local government system, the falling groundwater level and the water shortage in Quetta.

The session passed a resolution on the local government system and the devolution of powers to the lower level. Concern was also expressed over the continuous fall in the groundwater level in Pishin district and the damage to orchards.

Attack on Mir Qambar Mengal’s house

Member of the Assembly Mir Jahanzaib Mengal condemned the attack. He said the attackers had nothing to do with Baloch values and asked the Chief Minister of Balochistan to take notice of the incident.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti also condemned the attack in strong terms. He said it was not Baloch values but terrorism, and that terrorists had no connection with Baloch traditions. He said the Baloch were being pushed towards a futile war.

Audit of educational institutions

The chief minister directed that the buildings of all public and private schools in the province be reviewed and that an audit of educational institutions be carried out. He also said he was in contact with the affected family in the Asma Jatak case.

Former Chief Minister of Balochistan Dr Malik Baloch, after the collapse of a school roof in Peshawar, stressed the need to review the buildings of public and private educational institutions in Balochistan. Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran demanded that responsibility be fixed on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for the incident.

Resolution on the local government system

Member of the Assembly Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman moved a calling attention notice on the S&GAD department. He pointed out the difficulties faced by members of the Assembly and the public in government offices. He said that even getting a primary school in Gwadar upgraded to a middle school takes a long time.

He also moved a resolution on strengthening the local government system and devolving powers to the lower level. It stressed giving local government bodies financial and administrative autonomy, releasing funds on time and building the capacity of local representatives. The House passed the resolution.

Water shortage in Pishin

Opposition member Syed Zafar Agha moved a resolution on the continuous fall in the groundwater level in Pishin district. He said orchards of pomegranate, apple, grape and other fruits were badly affected by the water shortage, causing local landowners losses of crores of rupees. He demanded repair and desilting of dams and construction of new ones.

Provincial Minister Mir Sadiq Umrani said steps were needed to maintain the groundwater level, but the federal government was not providing funds for the construction of dams.

Provincial Minister Zahoor Buledi said the water situation in Balochistan was becoming alarming and that the excessive use of groundwater through solar systems had made the problem worse. He warned that if water use was not controlled, it would create difficulties for future generations as well.

Other members speak

Adviser on Sports Meena Majeed condemned the incidents of terrorism in Mand and Tump. She said terrorists were burning the vehicles of poor people and had no connection with Baloch values.

Provincial Minister Mir Ali Madad Jatak, speaking about the Asma Jatak case, said it was necessary to stand with the oppressed people of the province and raise a voice against oppression. He also expressed concern over allegations of private jails and the oppression of influential people.

Member of the Assembly Zarak Khan Mandokhail raised the issue of the water shortage in Quetta and the alleged looting of the public by the tanker mafia. He said it was the government’s responsibility to provide the public with basic facilities, including water. He said that if basic facilities could not be provided, it would become difficult for elected representatives to face the public.

Member of the Assembly Ashok Kumar demanded a surprise visit to the MPA Hostel and pointed out the presence of non-customs-paid vehicles there.

During the session, members highlighted various public issues and urged the government to take effective steps for law and order, education, health, water supply and the empowerment of local governments.