Bizenjo announces boycott of NEC meeting

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has announced a boycott of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in protest against the federal government's lack of action towards Balochistan.

In a policy statement on Monday, CM Bizenjo expressed disappointment with the federal government's failure to follow through on its promises.

CM Bizenjo described the situation as desperate, citing the example of the prime minister's announcement of Rs10 billion for the rehabilitation of flood victims, which has not been provided.

The provincial government has repeatedly reminded the federal government and even sent a letter to the prime minister, highlighting the need for the promised funds, he added.

Despite limited resources, the provincial government has provided maximum assistance and rehabilitation to the victims, but the lack of allocated funds has left the flood victims waiting for government aid, he further said.

Furthermore, the Balochistan CM called on the federal government to include the projects proposed by Balochistan's members of the Senate and the National Assembly (NA) in the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

He said that due to Balochistan's limited development funds, the members of the provincial assembly are unable to allocate development funds to the Senate and the NA. Therefore, they do not support including the projects suggested by the members of the Senate and the lower house in the Provincial Development Programme, he added.

The Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) had recommended a Rs2.5 trillion cumulative national development outlay for spending by the federal government and the four provinces. The Rs2.5 trillion allocation was Rs90 billion or 4% higher than this fiscal year.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa allocated Rs268 billion for the development spending for four months compared to this year’s revised figure of Rs373 billion. The Balochistan government also proposed Rs248 billion development budget for the next fiscal year, showing an increase of 65% over this fiscal year’s revised estimates.

The coalition government made many adjustments within this year’s development budget due to changes in its priorities. An amount of Rs64 billion was re-appropriated by the ministries from one project to another while supplementary grants of Rs75 billion were also secured.

An amount of Rs12 billion was diverted from this year’s PSDP towards conduct of the 7th Population and Housing Census. Likewise, an amount of Rs8 billion was adjusted to the current side by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs for provision of 2000 engines to poor fishermen of Gwadar.

Chief Minister Bizenjo said that if “we were given our full share in the National Finance Commission Award, we would have conducted our development process in a better way”.

Referring to the National Finance Commission award, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) chief said Balochistan was given its share in NFC award in accord with the 1998 census, but since the situation was not good at the time, the count suffered and, consequently, “our share turned out to be lower than what would be available in normal times”.

He said Balochistan should be given its share in NFC award in keeping with the census figures for the 2017 and 2023 exercises. (with input from news desk)

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2023.