QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly session on Wednesday grew tense as members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) exchanged barbs over each other’s role in the provincial and federal governments. Both sides warned that a lack of cooperation could collapse their respective governments.
Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai presided over the session, which began with Opposition Leader Mir Younus Aziz Zehri raising a point of order on the delay in the dualisation of the Karachi-Chaman Highway. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had inaugurated the project three years ago, yet work remained incomplete. “The construction company is performing poorly; even the old road has deteriorated,” he added. The Speaker directed NHA officials and the contractor to appear before the House next week.
PPP Minister Mir Sadiq Umrani criticised the federal government for neglecting Balochistan and warned that the federal coalition could collapse “within a minute” if the Peoples Party withdrew its support. He urged the House to dedicate a day to debate provincial issues and proposed forming a delegation to visit Islamabad for talks.
PPP’s Haji Ali Madad Jatak condemned the armed attack on MPA Barkat Rind’s house, calling it an assault on Baloch and Pashtun traditions. JUIF’s Molvi Noorullah criticised the Centre for allocating only Rs560 million out of Rs56 billion for the Quetta-Zhob CPEC road project, terming it “a joke.” He accused the Centre of exploiting Balochistan’s resources while neglecting its development.
JUIF MPA Mir Zabeed Ali Reki highlighted the dismissal of a Baloch youth from the Securities and Exchange Commission after just one week of employment. The Speaker assured him that he would take up the matter with the relevant authorities.
JUIF’s Shahida Rauf criticised both coalition partners — PPP and PMLN — for acting as opposition to each other within the provincial government. “We should address our own weaknesses before blaming the Centre. The House functions properly only when the chief minister is present,” she remarked.
Parliamentary Secretary Barkat Rind, whose house had been attacked for the third time, said, “If someone wants to kill me, they should face me directly. Attacking my home and children violates Baloch traditions.”
PMLN MPA Zarak Khan Mandokhail urged coalition unity, saying, “PPP and PMLN are both part of the government. Criticising each other publicly is wrong. If PMLN withdraws, your government will not survive.”
Minority MPA Dr Ashok Kumar accused the provincial government of neglecting the Christian community and demanded an inquiry into funds allocated for minorities. Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Kumar rejected the claim, saying aid cheques for deserving Christian families were ready for distribution.
Adviser to the Chief Minister Meena Majeed extended Diwali greetings to the Hindu community.
Minister Saleem Khosa announced that police personnel would be deployed for Barkat Rind’s security and defended the federal government, saying it was funding development projects, including schools and roads in the province. He added that the PMLN had consistently supported the PPP at all levels and reaffirmed their joint struggle for Balochistan’s rights.
The House postponed the question hour due to the concerned minister’s absence, prompting Opposition Leader Younus Zehri to stage a walkout and point out quorum. The Speaker suspended the session for 15 minutes.
After resumption, Revenue Minister Asim Kurd Gello presented the Agha Khan Properties Inheritance and Transfer Bill, which the Speaker referred to the relevant standing committee. The session adjourned until October 24 at 3:00 pm.
The Balochistan Assembly has taken action to address public grievances over essential services, summoning the heads of the water and gas authorities to explain persistent shortages.
