Kamal seeks to expedite ration distribution

CM placates disgruntled BAP lawmakers

QUETTA: Chief Minister of Balochistan Jam Kamal directed the authorities to expedite ration distribution among daily wagers and poor families across the province, adding that the government vowed to assist every single individual hit by the lockdown.

He shared these views while presiding a meeting to review food security and provision of medical equipment in isolation wards. “Along with fighting the novel coronavirus, we must have to ensure availability of food items in markets and timely purchase of wheat to avert starvation in Balochistan,” the chief minister said, ordering timely arrangements and documentation for wheat purchase.

Provincial Food Minister Sardar Abdul Rehman Kethran and Balochistan Chief Secretary Capt (retd) Fazeel Asghar were present in the meeting. The food secretary and Chairman Provincial Food Security Dostain Jamaldini briefed the CM over government’s efforts pertaining to distribution of ration and wheat purchase.

The meeting also approved some major decisions regarding food security, deciding to expedite implementation of their plans. It is pertinent to mention that dissident Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) parliamentarians wooed CM Aliyani after having to sit with him during the meeting because the government kept neglecting their constituencies.

In light of the aforementioned circumstance, the Balochistan Chief Minister, the very next day, revitalised his relations with the dissident BAP parliamentarians.

He met the delegation of fellow parliamentarians comprising Provincial Minister Haji Noor Muhammad Dummar, Mitha Khan Kakar, MPA Sardar Masood Loni and Laila Tareen and was informed about their grievances.

CM Aliyani assured them that their demands and concerns would be addressed at a priority level. “Balochistan is our joint home and the incumbent government has been utilising all resources on equal development opportunities for all districts,” he said, adding government inducted development schemes for all constituencies in the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).

Earlier, a group of parliamentarians from the ruling party had written a letter to the chief minister last week alleging the government for neglecting their constituencies in PSDP and efforts against coronavirus. They had requested the CM to address their demands or they would tender their resignation from ministries and the party itself too.

Sources within the party disclosed that two BAP senators Ahmed Khan Khilji and Naseebullah Bazai played a vital role in removing misunderstanding between the dissident parliamentarians and CM Aliyani.

Commenting on the successful meeting with the provincial chief executive, MPA Sardar Masood Loni and Haji Mitha Khan Kakar claimed that the CM addressed all their concerns and reservations. “Hence  we can’t let go of the provincial government in such chaotic circumstances imposed on us by the Covid-19,” they said.

“The ruling Balochistan Awami Party with the support of coalition partners will be utilising all resources to avert the Covid-19 challenge. We don’t believe in politics of blackmail. We were compelled to unveil our reservations in the better interest of the people of our constituencies.”

Loni and Kakar concluded that they felt the government was neglecting the Pashtoon belt from development schemes but today CM Aliyani pledged to address our demands and ensure facilities for neglected areas. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2020.