Balochistan cabinet okays key initiatives

QUETTA:

The Balochistan cabinet approved on Wednesday a number of initiatives, including "Water Conservation and Productivity Enhancement", Balochistan Levies Force (Amendment) Bill 2025, provincial land lease policy 2026 and the Interim National Wheat Policy 2025-26.

The 23rd meeting of the provincial cabinet was chaired by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.

The chief minister approved the "Water Conservation and Productivity Enhancement in Balochistan through Climate Smart Agriculture" project, which will be launched with financial assistance from the Korea Eximbank.

The initiative aims to promote efficient water use, modern farming techniques, and climate resilience, boosting productivity and farmer incomes across the province.

The cabinet also the Balochistan Levies Force (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Balochistan Public-Private Partnership Act 2025.

Under the Levies Force Amendment Bill, employees over the age of 50 who voluntarily wish to retire from the Federal Levies will be facilitated in accordance with rules. Similarly, Federal Levies personnel unable to serve in the police force will be granted voluntary retirement.

The Public-Private Partnership Act aims to enhance private sector participation in development projects, promote transparency, and accelerate the completion of large-scale initiatives.

To encourage investment and industrial growth, the cabinet approved the Balochistan Land Lease Policy 2026, ensuring transparent land utilization to spur industrial and commercial activity and generate employment opportunities.

The cabinet approved the Interim National Wheat Policy 2025-26 under which the food department will procure 0.50 million metric tons of wheat for strategic reserves.

The chief minister ordered strict action against irregularities in wheat management, forming a parliamentary subcommittee to investigate misconduct.

A committee led by the CMIT chairman will determine pricing of old wheat stocks based on market rates and grain condition. Officials implicated in corruption the food epartment were ordered to be arrested and dismissed.

The cabinet also sanctioned funds for salaries of Balochistan Development Authority (BDA) employees.

It decided on restructuring BDA and other autonomous bodies to improve financial discipline, reduce reliance on the provincial exchequer, and make institutions self-sustaining.

Concluding the meeting, Bugti reaffirmed the government's commitment to peace, economic stability, agricultural development, food security, and institutional reform.

He emphasized that all decisions were taken in the broader public interest to secure a stable and prosperous future for Balochistan.