Balochistan Assembly: Lawmakers adopt resolution for funding

Minister says no projects for Balochistan on CDWP agenda.

QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to ask the federal government to convene a meeting of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), approve development projects and include the projects in the federal public sector development programme.

The joint resolution was tabled by provincial ministers Sardar Aslam Bezinjo, Abdul Rehman Mengal, Mir Hammal Kalmati and Zahoor Buleidai.

While tabling the resolution, Minister for Irrigation and Power Sardar Aslam Bizenjo said that no project for Balochistan was included in the last CDWP, which took place in Islamabad. It is however known that Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani had at that time asked the provincial finance minister and other Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) not to participate in the meeting as a mark of protest, because of which there was no representation of the province in the last meeting.

Bizenjo informed the house later that a delegation of MPAs led by the chief minister held a meeting with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in which the premier promised to hold the meeting of CDWP in Quetta in December and get approval for development projects in Balochistan. However, the meeting has not been summoned by the prime minister so far.

He said that the provincial government should approach the federal government so the meeting can take place this month.

Other lawmakers also complained that important projects in the federal Public Sector Development Programme are not being implemented because they were not approved during the meeting of CDWP. “If further delays are made in summoning a meeting then all projects will be withdrawn,” one MPA said.

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid MPA Jaffar Mandokhel said the federal government is not releasing funds for at least four on-going projects.

All members insisted on convening the meeting of CDWP later this month. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the house.

Additionally, the house unanimously adopted a resolution for the establishment of a ‘Benazir Fund for Human Rights’ under article 144. Minister Basant Lal Gulshan tabled the resolution and said that Rs10 million will be allocated to ensure the implementation of this programme, which was announced by the prime minister two years ago.

Published in The Express Tribune December 14t, 2010.