Opposition slams govt for lack of relief during snow calamity

Lawmakers criticise PM’s statement of paying foreign debts through Reko Diq gold in PA session

QUETTA: Opposition members in Balochistan Assembly on Thursday alleged that the provincial government was neglecting people who were affected by snowfall calamity and torrential rains in the province.

“Despite Meteorological Department’s early warnings, the provincial government and PDMA did nothing for those affected by extreme temperatures in Balochistan while people stranded in snow-hit areas remained helpless,” Opposition Leader Malik Sikandar Advocate said while addressing the assembly session here in Quetta, which was convened to discuss snowfall damages, unprecedented inflation, food shortage and law and order in Balochistan.

“Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) restored main highways but the roads connected with remote areas remained closed for weeks,” he said, adding that people in rain and snowfall-hit areas were still waiting for compensation.

Sharing views on inflation and corruption in the government departments, Sikandar maintained that people of Balochistan were still deprived of jobs in industries and the private sector.

“Burgeoning inflation has pushed the majority of the people in Balochistan below the poverty line. Meanwhile, the federal government continues to announce more taxes,” he said, also alleging that rules and regulations were being implemented only on the poor and weak while powerful mafias continued to blatantly violate the law and indulge in corrupt practices.

Speaker Abdul Quddus Bizenjo directed secretary assembly to ensure the presence of secretary home and PDMA officials in the assembly in the next session to assess the damages.

Taking part in the debate, Parliamentary Leader of Balochistan National Party-Mengal Malik Naseer Khan Shahwani said at least 26 districts of the province were affected by torrential rains and snow and despite early predictions; the provincial government did nothing for the people.

“Hundreds of people, including women and children, remained stranded on highways due to heavy snowfall as government machinery came to the rescue after prolonged delays,” Shahwani said.

Calling the house’s attention over Prime Minister’s statement regarding gold in Reko Diq, Balochistan National Party’s parliamentarian Sanaullah Baloch said every single ruler at the centre has expressed intent to steal Balochistan’s natural wealth.

“Today, country’s fiscal debt has jumped from Rs35,000 billion while the total wealth of Reko Diq is estimated to be Rs77,000 billion,” Baloch said, asserting that if the federal government hands over Reko Diq to private companies, the step would be a clear violation of the Constitution of Pakistan.

“As per the 18th amendment, Balochistan owns its natural resources and the government at the centre has no right to take decisions [on province’s behalf] over our resources,” he affirmed.

Corroborating the stance of Baloch, Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Development Asad Baloch said the house by all means has to protect the natural wealth of the province as people of Balochistan are the true custodians of their resources.

Sanaullah Baloch urged all political parties having representation in the National Assembly and Senate to raise the issue on every forum.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2020.