Kamal vows to resolve issues of ‘angry Baloch’

Chief minister promises new era of progress in province

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani has said that there were no angry Baloch in Balochistan and that the people being called angry Baloch were, in fact, people who lacked life’s basic facilities, adding that Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Quddus Bizenjo did have some reservations but they had been addressed through dialogue.

Speaking to the media, Kamal also rejected the notion that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was in danger, saying that there had always been political instability in Pakistan. The performance of a government should be judged, he said, on the basis of its work, quality of governance and development and not on the basis of speeches.

The Balochistan chief minister also said no benefits had accrued to Balochistan from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) first phase. But, he said, Balochistan’s security situation had improved and a new era of progress would begin in the coming days with the development of Gwadar Port. A master plan is underway for the development of the province’s infrastructure, he said. He also pledged that his government would not leave Balochistan’s people alone in difficult times and would resolve the issues of the ‘angry Baloch’.

“We (Balochistan government) have resources and powers but the past government did as well and failed to deliver for the province”, he said, adding that improved governance was essential for Balochistan’s development. He held provincial governments responsible for a deprived Balochistan and emphasized that they must make efforts to eliminate people’s deprivation.

He further said the Punjab and Sindh governments had offered to help in Balochistan’s development and that all provinces could jointly promote tourism in Pakistan. The present government was taking measures to construct better roads and educational institutions and to provide basic facilities in each and every district of the province, he said.

Cancer block

Kamal on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of province’s first cancer block in Sheikh Zahid Hospital, vowing to provide quality medical care to cancer patients across the province.

“The Balochistan government wants province’s first cancer block to be at par with other cancer hospitals in the country where along with treatment, the diseases could be diagnosed,” Kamal said while addressing a ceremony held at the hospital.

Provincial ministers, secretaries, IG Police Mohsin Butt and government officials were present on the occasion.

Calling for support of all provincial political parties in eradicating notorious cancer disease from Balochistan, Kamal said the cancer block comprising 160 beds will be equipped with modern machinery while radiology, physiotherapy, and pathology centre will also be constructed in the block with a total cost of Rs1.6 billion.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2020.