Balochistan Assembly halts forest dept recruitment

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Assembly on Saturday ordered an immediate halt to appointments in the provincial Forest Department and constituted a special committee, headed by the Opposition Leader, to investigate allegations that government posts were being sold for millions of rupees.

The decision came after Provincial Minister Noor Muhammad Dummar alleged on the floor of the House that positions in the Forest Department were openly being sold, with bids ranging from Rs1 million to Rs2 million. He said he possessed evidence regarding the alleged sale of posts, particularly in two districts under his concern, and demanded cancellation of the vacancies and a thorough investigation.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said his government would not tolerate the sale of government posts and warned that if the allegations were proved, those responsible, including the relevant minister and secretary, would not remain in office.

He asked Dummar to place his evidence before the Assembly and requested the Speaker to establish a powerful special committee under Opposition Leader Mir Younus Aziz Zehri. Bugti said the committee should have full authority to summon anyone, including the Chief Minister himself, if required.

The Speaker subsequently ruled that the recruitment process in the Forest Department be suspended and constituted the special committee under Zehri's chairmanship. Dummar will also be a member, while the remaining members will be notified later.

Provincial Minister Haji Ali Madad Jattak called for investigations into recruitment processes in other government departments as well.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bugti told the Assembly that private properties were being used by militants to launch attacks on security forces and police, stressing that property owners had a legal, moral, tribal and religious obligation to inform authorities if armed groups were using their land.

Responding to concerns raised by Opposition Leader Zehri regarding reports of possible displacement from Mastung, Bugti said his earlier statement had been taken out of context for political scoring.

He said security forces were operating under extremely difficult circumstances in Balochistan and noted that Assembly sessions regularly began with prayers for those killed in militant violence.

Referring to recent attacks, including an assault on security forces at Ziarat Cross and an attack allegedly launched from an orchard against Provincial Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langue, Bugti said the government was not asking private property owners to confront militants.

"We are only asking them to inform the authorities," he said, adding that the government had provided contact numbers for citizens to report such activities to assistant commissioners, deputy commissioners and the Home Department.

The Chief Minister rejected reports that the government planned indiscriminate displacement or destruction of orchards. However, he said private property could not be allowed to serve as a base for attacks against the state.