Balochistan politics: Magsi denies constitutional crisis

Governor says serious efforts under way to improve the education sector in Balochistan.

QUETTA:

Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi on Saturday rebuffed suggestions that the provincial government was adrift in any constitutional crisis following this week’s no-trust motion against Balochistan Assembly Speaker Aslam Bhootani. Such conflicts are not rare in government, the governor pointed out.

He shared these views while delivering a speech to the 5th convocation held at Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University on Saturday. The governor said in his speech that serious efforts were under way to improve the education sector in Balochistan.

He also expressed concern over the absence of public representatives and provincial ministers at the convocation to which they had received invitations. Governor Magsi said that the Vice Chancellor of the university, Sultana Baloch, had invited all the parliamentarians, but only Raheela Durrani participated in the convocation.

He distributed prizes among the best students and position holders in different subjects, announcing Rs100, 000 for each. The governor also handed out degrees to the 300 students who had passed the university exams. Vice Chancellor Baloch also delivered a speech at the convocation.



Replying to a question, the governor said that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has not only cut the funds for Balochistan’s universities but has also slashed the amount of funding to all universities in the country -- an issue which is still being resolved.

The provincial governor also met with the students of National Defence University, who were in the province for a visit, and spoke with people at a national security workshop.

Speaking at the workshop, the governor said that people around the country held many misconceptions about Balochistan, whereas the situation is not as bad as they think.

He added that in the past, Balochistan was neglected and no attention was given to its development, thus, residents of the province remained victims of “deprivation and backwardness”.  For the removal of this state of deprivation, he said, the resources of the province should be utilised for its development.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2012.