Suspension of rail services because of fuel unavailability and an increase in the airfare were the focus of discussion in the Balochistan Assembly here on Friday.
Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sadiq Umrani said the suspension of rail services in Balochistan was a major cause of concern and it was tarnishing the government’s public image. He added that the chief minister should ensure the quick resumption of the train service.
Lawmakers also criticised the national carrier for charging excessive air fare, saying that the airline charges between Rs12,000 and Rs13,000 for Quetta-Islamabad flights while the fare on similar routes in other provinces was much cheaper.
The speaker later asked the secretary of the assembly to summon the provincial divisional superintendent of railways and the general manager of PIA to discuss the issues. The speaker said the issue of high airfare was previously taken up with the airline without any results.
Legislators also offered a prayer for the 45 people killed in a US drone strike on Thursday.
The assembly also unanimously passed the Balochistan Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority Bill of 2011. The authority is meant to regulate and promote vocational training and technical education facilities and to provide financing for training programmes and other related matters.
Published in The Express Tribune, Mach 19th, 2011.
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