Corrupt politicians, bureaucrats sold off resources: CM Baloch
Says NP will not let anyone loot the province’s wealth
CM says NP will not let anyone loot the province’s wealth. PHOTO: EXPRESS
QUETTA:
Balochistan’s Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said on Sunday that corrupt politicians and bureaucrats had sold off the province’s resources at a ‘throwaway price’.
“We will not loot Balochistan’s resources and we will not let anyone loot them either,” he said at a public meeting in Naushki.
Read: powerhouses: CM Baloch accuses govt of reneging on its fuel pledge
“The National Party (NP) is keen about protecting the legitimate interests of Balochistan and committed to ending unemployment, banishing poverty and providing required facilities and services to the common people,” Dr Baloch said while announcing plans to provide the people of Naushki 3,000 bulldozers, set up Rs10 million worth of drinking water schemes in the district and upgrade 10 schools in the area.
“The Reko Diq project is being saved from sale and we are hopeful that the judgment of the case in the international court will come in our favour,” he told participants of the meeting, adding that his government had brought down cases of mutilated bodies, kidnapping for ransom and enforced disappearances in the province as well.
“We [NP] are criticised for not being nationalist, but as I see it, anyone who is sincere to his motherland and its people is nationalist,” the chief minister said. He added that his party, with just 11 seats in the Balochistan Assembly, could have opted to sit in opposition but did not want to only raise slogans instead of bringing a real positive change in the province.
Read: Holding accountable: 22 corruption cases to be lodged against govt officials
Several tribal elders and politicians, including Haji Mir Mohammad Murad Badini and Haji Mir Juma Khan Badini, announced joining the NP at the meeting. Dr Baloch welcomed them into the NP ranks and said their addition had strengthened the party’s presence in Naushki.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2015.
Balochistan’s Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said on Sunday that corrupt politicians and bureaucrats had sold off the province’s resources at a ‘throwaway price’.
“We will not loot Balochistan’s resources and we will not let anyone loot them either,” he said at a public meeting in Naushki.
Read: powerhouses: CM Baloch accuses govt of reneging on its fuel pledge
“The National Party (NP) is keen about protecting the legitimate interests of Balochistan and committed to ending unemployment, banishing poverty and providing required facilities and services to the common people,” Dr Baloch said while announcing plans to provide the people of Naushki 3,000 bulldozers, set up Rs10 million worth of drinking water schemes in the district and upgrade 10 schools in the area.
“The Reko Diq project is being saved from sale and we are hopeful that the judgment of the case in the international court will come in our favour,” he told participants of the meeting, adding that his government had brought down cases of mutilated bodies, kidnapping for ransom and enforced disappearances in the province as well.
“We [NP] are criticised for not being nationalist, but as I see it, anyone who is sincere to his motherland and its people is nationalist,” the chief minister said. He added that his party, with just 11 seats in the Balochistan Assembly, could have opted to sit in opposition but did not want to only raise slogans instead of bringing a real positive change in the province.
Read: Holding accountable: 22 corruption cases to be lodged against govt officials
Several tribal elders and politicians, including Haji Mir Mohammad Murad Badini and Haji Mir Juma Khan Badini, announced joining the NP at the meeting. Dr Baloch welcomed them into the NP ranks and said their addition had strengthened the party’s presence in Naushki.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2015.