Provincial assembly asks govt to curb fake drugs

Accepts motion to discuss Reko Diq verdict today

QUETTA: Balochistan Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Babar Musakhail on Saturday passed a ruling and ordered authorities to take necessary action to curb sale of substandard medicines across the province.

“This matter relates to human lives. Measures should be taken on war footings against sale of substandard medicines in Balochistan,” noted Musakhail, who was chairing the session.

The chair passed the ruling after Health Minister Mir Naseebullah Marri informed the house that substandard medicines, coming from other cities of the country, are being sold in Balochistan.

“Notices have been issued to different medicine companies in this regard. If medicine companies failed to pay back the amount to Balochistan government, it will go to the court and such companies will definitely be sued,” he said. Marri also said attempts are being made to get rid of shortage of medicines.

He said pharmacists are demanding 600 posts in government departments while the government does not have more than 50 vacant posts for these professionals. “Vacant posts in the department of health will be announced and advertised very soon through Public Service Commission,” he said.

The house also approved for discussion on August 5 (today) an adjournment motion tabled regarding International Centre for Settlement of investment Disputes’ recent verdict in the Reko Diq case.  The motion was moved by Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s (BNP-M) Sanaullah Baloch.



Earlier, members of the BNP-M attended the Balochistan Assembly session while wearing lemon green jackets to express solidarity with engineers of various government departments, who have been protesting for weeks.

Akhtar Hussain Langove of the BNP-M, speaking on point of order soon after the start of the assembly session, said the protesting engineers are observing hunger strike to press their demands for many days.

“We are wearing lemon green jackets in solidarity with engineers, doctors and other professionals who are protesting against denial of their rights by the government,” Langove said.

He said traders, school teachers, government employees and people of different walks of life are facing various issues and problems. “The government should take measures without any further delay to resolve their problems on priority as their demands are genuine,” he said.

Taking the floor, the BNP-M’s Sanaullah Baloch strongly criticised the government saying it does not have any mechanism to rule the province which is facing many crises including a financial one. “Entire administrative system is being governed by commissioners,” he added.

He suggested forming a committee to discuss the matter related to protesting engineers. “A committee must be tasked to solve the problems and demands of medical students and teachers.”



Mir Hamal Kalmati and other BNP-M members also spoke on the issue and urged the government to accept the demands of striking engineers and other government employees.

Nasarullah Zerey of Pashtookhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) while speaking on the occasion strongly criticised the government decision to merge the Levies into police in Quetta, Gwadar and Lasbela.

“The government should withdraw its decision and make Levies an effective force by training and equipping it with modern technology.” He also opposed release of coal mines license in Ziarat valley.

Engineer Zamarak Khan Piralizai, Minister for Agriculture, informed the house that most of the demands of the engineers have been accepted. “The government has agreed to five main demands of engineers.” However, he said, the opposition just wants to draw political mileage out of the protest of engineers.

Finance Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi said the issues related to the engineers, doctors, teachers, paramedical staff, will be resolved soon as the government is taking steps in this connection.

“Three newly established medical colleges in Balochistan are still waiting to be affiliated with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC),” Buledi said, adding that the government is taking step to get these medical colleges affiliated with the PMDC.