Largest province 'waiting for change'

Leaders criticise the BAP-led govt for its ‘incompetence’ to form standing committees

QUETTA: Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)-led government has completed its 100 days of rule in Balochistan but still the process of new legislation has not gotten off the ground as the government has not yet set up any provincial standing committee.

In truth the new provincial government made alluring promises of development and prosperity with the people of province. And Chief Minister Jam Kamal led provincial cabinet did take some positive decisions in favour of the province but due to the internal rifts among coalition partners such steps for development have not come to the fore.

However, a decision for lifting ban on recruitment in the provincial departments was a good step, opening vacancies for the youth.
Despite completing more than 100 days in office, the BAP-led government is yet to form standing committees, causing delays in introducing new pieces of legislation.



“Indeed the treasury and opposition benches have the duty to form standing committees from the august house but the provincial government did nothing in the past 100 days except releasing annual Public Sector Development Fund (PSDP),” a parliamentary leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Malik Sikandar said.

He added a committee had been formed to probe the illicit appointments in previous governments but yet the opposition has been waiting for any positive outcome of the committee.

“Internal rifts over the appointments of new assistant to chief minister continue among coalition partners and Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has publicised his reservations with the CM,” Sikandar said adding that it can be assumed that there would not be any development under this government.



Veteran lawyer Naseebullah Tareen has termed the incumbent government “incompetent” citing the same reason of not forming standing committees in first 100 days.

“People of the province didn’t see any development during 100 days of the incumbent provincial government because they were powerless in introducing new legislation,” he said.

“The provincial government should take immediate practical steps to extricate the province from the current legal crisis because they might deprive the province of the powers given to small provinces after the 18th amendment,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that amidst all this, the government has been waiting to welcome the opposition leader.