Bugti warns truant doctors, teachers

QUETTA:

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti has stressed the absolute necessity for the presence of teachers in schools and medical personnel in hospitals, ensuring there will be no compromises on this essential matter.

“There will be Zero tolerance for absentee teachers and doctors,” the CM announced. Recognizing the evolving demands of the modern era, Bugti has underscored the importance of integrating skills development programs alongside conventional education within educational institutions. He has also emphasized the significance of professional development and training programs to boost workforce efficiency within government departments.

During a meeting attended by key officials including Additional Chief Secretary Abdul Saboor Kakar and Secretaries Lal Jan Jafar and Babar Khan, Bugti highlighted the crucial need to maintain a balance between resources and development planning. He emphasized the formulation of annual development programs within available financial resources, aiming to minimize deficits and gradually reduce dependence on the federal government.

Bugti further stressed the imperative of decentralizing public interest departments such as education, health, and social welfare to effectively address regional-level issues and minimize public inconvenience. Expressing concerns over unsatisfactory outcomes despite significant investments in health and education sectors, Bugti underscored the importance of better governance and a positive direction to deliver sustainable development benefits to the people. He has affirmed his readiness to withstand political pressure in pursuit of governance reforms and delivering tangible results.

He reiterated his commitment to establishing transparent governance by addressing systemic loopholes and implementing effective processes of accountability and responsibility. Additionally, he has highlighted the challenges posed by the increasing pension bill and non-developmental expenses, stressing the need for effective financial planning to overcome these hurdles.

The chief minister emphasized the importance of creating alternative employment opportunities in various private sectors to effectively combat unemployment, emphasizing that government jobs alone are not a sustainable solution. He has reaffirmed his dedication to delivering tangible improvements to the lives of the people of Balochistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2024.