Quelling disputes: Balochistan CM vows to placate allies

Distributes laptops among Balochistan University high achievers

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch pledged on Friday that the reservations of coalition partners in the provincial government would be resolved through dialogue.

“I have the support of parliament. I am a political worker, whenever I feel I have lost the trust in parliament I will take the decision which is my history,” he told media persons after distributing laptops and cash prizes among students during the 11th convocation of the University of Balochistan.



Responding to a question, the chief minister said, “Meeting between Khan of Kalat Mir Suleman Khan Daud and leader of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party Mehmood Khan Achakzai in London is a welcome move, and meeting between the two elders is a good omen.”

He said that the government is making efforts to ensure that the educational needs of Balochistan’s children are fulfilled.

Dr Baloch said that although the law and order situation in Balochistan is not exemplary, it certainly has improved. “We are taking steps for improving law and order in Quetta, Panjgur and Kech,” he added.

The chief minister said that the assembly members have this right under the constitution. In the absence of speaker, he said, the deputy speaker will chair the meetings of provincial assembly. “Surely, he would run the house in accordance with rules and regulations.”

He said that there are problems in the coalition government but they are political people and would sort out the reservations of their friends through dialogue.

At the convocation, he lauded the university staff, saying it is a good development that Balochistan University has been ranked seventh among the country’s top universities.

Some 370 postgraduate students were awarded laptops, 67 gold medalists and 24 PhD holders were given Rs10,000 each. Besides, the head of research at Balochistan University was announced would be given Rs10 million by the Balochistan government and 100 desktop computers for the digital library.

“We will not let the paucity of resources to become a hurdle in the way of improvement of education in the province. All students applying for admission in the University of Balochistan will be given admission so that no student could be deprived,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2014.