Healthcare centre opens in Balochistan

File Photo:Bolan Medical College Quetta

ZIARAT: An inauguration ceremony was held in Ziarat to celebrate the opening of a healthcare centre sponsored through one-day salary donations of the employees of the Abu Dhabi Group member companies, including Bank Alfalah in the aftermath of the 2008 earthquake, according to a statement on Tuesday.

The ceremony was attended by ministers, bureaucrats, corporate and social sector representatives, including Maulana Abdul Samad Akhundzada, provincial minister for forest, MPA District Ziarat, and Asmatullah Kakar, secretary of the health department, government of Balochistan, Dr Maqbool Ahmed, district health officer, Ziarat, it said.

Bank Alfalah’s Shahab bin Shahid, group head retail and the middle markets and Masood Ahmed Awan, area manager, Balochistan retail and middle markets, were also present on the occasion.

Atif Bajwa, chief executive officer of Bank Alfalah said, “I am proud of the community spirit and solidarity demonstrated by the bank employees and other member companies of the Abu Dhabi Group.”

“Total employee contribution towards the 2008 earthquake relief was approximately Rs18.4 million, a remarkable demonstration of the collective strength of our people. I am optimistic that this healthcare centre will support the government of Balochistan in its efforts to provide quality healthcare to the people of this province and am grateful to them for their support towards this initiative.”

< The News >

LRCA to train Balochistan cricketers

File Photo: Sarfaraz Bugti distributing prizes in the winners of Sui Balochistan Cricket Tournament

LAHORE - Lahore Region Cricket Association (LRCA) will train and groom young cricketers from Balochistan by providing them all the essential facilities and placing them in different local clubs.

Talking to a delegation of the Sports Writers Association (PSWF) of Balochistan which called on him here on Wednesday, LRCA president aid: “The services of LRCA are available for the young cricketers of Balochistan and will mobilise our all resources for providing them training.”

Rana Irfan led the five-member delegation which apprised the LRCA chief of the problems being faced by upcoming cricketers from Balochistan in coaching and training.

He said LRCA would welcome young cricketers from Balochistan especially from Quetta to place them in various local clubs to learn the finer points of the game under the guidance of LRCA coaches.

“Balochistan is the province where limited cricket facilities are available and their young cricketers have lesser chance to get proper training and participating in quality club cricket. It is the dire need to help Balcohistan to revive and strengthen their club cricket and LRCA services will play its due role in this regard.”

SVP Balochistan Sports Writers Association Nasim Hameed put up the proposal that a Twenty20 event featuring all the teams of the regional cricket association, FATA and Gilgit Baltistan be organised in April next year in Quetta to foster brother unity among the regional cricket bodies. The LRCA chief accepted the proposal and said he would forward it to the PCB for approval and getting their assistance.

The delegation members said: “It is quite unfortunate that the talent in Balochistan is being wasted due to lack of coaching facilities and infrastructure and it is the duty of all the regional cricket bodies of the country to lend hand to Balochistan for strengthening its club cricket.”

< The Nation >

PTCL Stretches Vfone Service in Balochistan

Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) has extended its Vfone wireless service to isolated Mekhtar, Bard and Murgha Kibzai areas of Balochistan.

Part of Loralai region of Balochistan, Mekhtar, Bard and Murgha Qibzai areas are one of the remotest areas of the country.  PTCL aims to facilitate the people of the region with the launch of Vfone service.

PTCL Vfone has the country’s largest WLL coverage and is available with both prepaid and postpaid options. Supported by high-speed CDMA technology, Vfone also offers SMS and internet connectivity at affordable rates.

“Our vision is to bring latest telecommunications infrastructure to every city and village of Pakistan,” said PTCL Executive Vice President (EVP) Wireless, Omer Khalid. “Provision of Vfone services in the area will go a long way in fulfilling the communications needs of the people of Balochistan.”

< Pro Pakistani >

KU raises 50pc seats quota for Sindh, Balochistan

KARACHI – Following the decision of the Academic Council, Karachi University has increased 50 per cent seats quota for the students from the interior Sindh and Balochistan applying for admissions to BS/BSc/BA (Honors) and Masters Programmes in Karachi University.

This year the university is going to offer first time the MSc Programme in the discipline of Space and Astrophysics. This is the first time that the meritorious students, having at least 80 per cent marks, belonging to any part of the country, would be able to get admission in the said academic programmes of the university on open merit basis; without any category, while admissions to BS/BSc/B.A (Honors) and Masters Programmes in varsity are granted according to merit under categories K, S and P. This was disclosed by KU Director Admissions Prof Dr Khalid Iraqi while talking to The Nation. He said that the admission process for the academic year 2012-13 would start from November 11, 2012, while the admissions to various academic programmes will be offered in three phases. Iraqi said that the university had increased 50 per cent seats for the students of Sindh and Balochistan provinces, keeping in view the prevailing situation of Balochistan and Sindh.

However, certain seats are also reserved for Fata, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Areas, armed forces, and children of Karachi University teachers and employees, disabled persons and sports. Merit is the only criterion for reserved seats, as well, he added.It is pertinent to mention here that since the number of applicants for the BS/BSc/BA (Hons) and Masters Programmes is much higher than the number of available seats, as per the university rules, the applicants have been divided into three categories ie, K, S, and P. Category “K” refers to those applicants who have passed their Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or equivalent, and graduation degree from educational institutions situated in Karachi and also recognised or affiliated by the University of Karachi. Category “S” refers to those applicants who have passed at least one of the certificates (SSC or HSC) or degree examinations from a recognised educational institution in Sindh (excluding Karachi). Category “P” refers to those applicants who have passed at least one of the certificates (SSC or HSC) or degree examinations from a recognised educational institution outside the province or Pakistan. Preference in admissions is given to “K” category candidates.

In case seats are left vacant, “S” category candidates will be considered. If seats are still available then consideration is given to “P” category candidates.

< The Nation >

Rs6bn Optic Fibre Project in Balochistan

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday inaugurated Rs six billion Optic Fibre Project which will provide best Information Technology facilities to all tehsils of Balochistan province.

The Prime Minister, who arrived here on a two-day visit, spent a busy day at the coastal city and inaugurated various development projects.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, he said that the present government has initiated several development projects in Balochistan to provide basic amenities of life to the local people and to bring them at par with rest of the country.

He said provision of amenities will remove the sense of deprivation among the local people.

The Prime Minister said it was the top priority of the government to provide basic facilities to remote and backward areas of the country, adding this IT project which has been initiated by the federal government has opened a new chapter for uplift of Balochistan and Baloch people.

This IT project, he said aimed at providing modern facility of Internet, mobile phones to the local people and link every village, tehsil and house of Balochistan with the world's educational institutions and social media.

He said it is an era of Information Technology and the Baloch people will get first hand information by using this modern technology. He said the IT Ministry, which is headed by him is taking keen interest in early completion of the project.

The Prime Minister said that hundreds of students of Balochistan, in collaboration with the federal government are getting education at the best educational institutions of the country.

The Prime Minister said that it is necessary for a family that its members are educated as "Education is knowledge and knowledge is power."

He said that Balochistan is rich in natural resources and has full potential to change country's destiny, but everybody will have to work unitedly."We have to overlook the mistakes of our past," he said and added: "To move towards a new morning by forgiving each others is the only way forward to put our country on the road to progress."

The Prime Minister said PPP-Co Chairman and President Asif Ali Zardari has already taken this initiative.

The Prime Minister said, "Pakistan is our honour, dignity and guarantee of integrity and we all should work honestly for its development."

< Business Recorder >

Power subsidy for Baloch farmers

File Photo: PM Ashraf distributes relief goods among flood victims in Balochistan

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Friday decided to give subsidy on the electricity supplied to farmers in Balochistan.

It was decided that the owners of the agricultural tubewells will pay a fix cost of Rs 6,000 per month while 60 per cent of the balance bill will be picked up by the provincial government and 40 per cent by the Federal government.

The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Finance to issue a notification to the effect after completion of all necessary formalities.

He said that Balochistan is one of the top most priorities of his government and if the Federal government had the fiscal space, it would not have hesitated to provide more relief to the farmers of Balochistan. Raja Pervaiz said that he was aware that due to lowering of water table, the tubewells in Balochistan had to be bored as deep as 1,000 feet to pump water.

“Therefore, it becomes difficult for farmers to bear the cost of their installation, and the government ,therefore, would provide subsidy to the farmers by way of picking up a substantial portion of their electricity bills so that they can operate their tubewells,” he stated.

The Prime Minister said the long term solution to the problems of electricity bills for farmers in Balochistan is in use of tubewells run on solar energy. Raja urged the farmers of Balochistan to come forward and replace the existing tubewells with solar energy tubewells so that the issue can be resolved permanently.

The Prime Minister directed the Provincial Government to nominate its representative and asked the Zamindar Action Committee to nominate two persons who should meet the authorities in Planning Commission and finalise a criteria for installation of tubewells as well as the share of Federal and Provincial Governments in their installation cost.

He said the real test would be “how quick and how many solar tubewells” were installed.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that farmers in Balochistan would work hard for the prosperity of Balochistan and progress of Pakistan.

< The Nation >

Rs 888m Solar Energy project in Balochistan

QUETTA – Balochistan government is implementing Rs 888 million Solar Energy Home Project under which around 300 villages in parts of the province would be electrified.

Provincial Finance Department sources told APP here Monday that nature had endowed the province with immense opportunities for generation of solar, wind and geo-thermal energy. “The provincial government has already set-up Balochistan Energy Company for promotion of renewable energy which had duly been registered by SECP”, the govt currently spends Rs 3b on subsidy for around 15600 tube wells in  agriculture sector and with exorbitant increase in power tariff the govt would hardly manage to continue subsidy.

The govt has a plan to convert all these tube-wells to solar-energy run at a cost of Rs 5b. Balochistan Governor House, Chief Minister and Civil Secretariat would also be made equipped with solar energy system. The project would cost Rs 450m. Besides, all divisional headquarters would also have solar energy lighted street systems at a cost of Rs. one billion.

One billion has been set aside for installing wind masts at coastal belt of the province. These strives by the government would greatly help check increasing prices of petroleum prices,the sources added

< The Nation >

Baloch girls break a taboo

File Photo: Students of Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University,Pakistan’s third Women’s University

TAXILA, : For Shazia Bugti, her conservative background will not become a hindrance to achieving her goal — to become a CSS officer.

“It is my dream to become an officer and serve my people to get them out of deprivation and extreme poverty”, said the Grade 10 student while talking to this reporter at Heavy Industries Taxila Education City (Hitec).

It was hard to believe that the young girl with bright eyes and confident look belonged to remote and far flung area of Balochistan where for woman getting education is considered a sin.

Shazia Bugti is among 187 students who are getting education at this prestigious institution under federal government development programme for Balochistan and Fata.

As hopes of bright future sprouting in her eyes she said that most of the schools in her area are closed due to lack of staff and other facilities, besides uncertainty in the area. As a result of which the doors of education are closed especially for girls.

Sila Khan, another girl belonging to Lora Lai area of Balochistan, is the youngest among the Baloch students studying at Hitec and is living in the hostel.

She said she felt sad when she left her parents but the motivation of becoming an educated and well groomed youth of Balochistan overcame her sadness.

She said that she was lucky to be selected for studying at Hitec as it would change the fate of not only her community but the whole tribe.

Sumreen, a girl from far flung and remote area of Barkhan District located in the north-East of the Balochistan province said that it was first time that she came out of her district.

She said that the Hitec had given her confidence and power to speak. She said that now during short span of time she was able to fluently speak Urdu and English.

She praised the idea of equipping Baloch youth with quality education so that they could become an agent of change for Balochistan.

Rashida from Naseerabad, daughter of a small farmer, while talking to this reporter said that selecting students from remote and less developed areas and bringing them into a mainstream was a laudable idea of the present government which would remove sense of
deprivation among them.

Brig (retired) Taj Iqbal, Hitec administrator said that the education city was providing quality education under a team of dedicated and professional educationists.

He said Hitec was ready to accommodate more students from Balochistan.

< Dawn >

HEC to implement fee scheme for Balochistan and KPK students

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has expedited the process for the immediate implementatioorn of the Prime Minister’s Tuition Fee Payment Scheme f Masters, MS/M.Phil and Ph.D for students of Balochistan, Gilgit/Baltistan and FATA.

According to an official of Higher Education Commission, the information regarding eligible students enrolled at the respective universities and postgraduate colleges situated at Balochistan, Gilgit/Baltistan and FATA/KPK has been collected.  Through a letter, Higher Education Commission has requested the heads of 21 provincial higher education institutions and campuses of federal universities to provide the list of the students along with their fee details so that funds may be released accordingly.

Through this beneficial initiative, federal government through Higher Education Commission would release the funds to the universities for reimbursement of tuition fee and other mandatory fee.The scheme is focused on enhancing opportunities of higher education especially for the talented but financially constrained students belonging to remote and far flung areas who despite possessing academic merit are unable to continue higher education studies.

The federal government, in move to support the under developed special scheme, along with tuition fee, the federal government would pay other academic, incidental, or mandatory fees charged by educational institutions as one-off or on a per semester basis of masters, M.Phil and PhD students belonging to Balochistan, Gilgit/Baltistan and FATA (enrolled at KPK and FATA institutions). The fee disbursement is being ensured through a transparent and well defined mechanism.The students having valid domicile/local certificate of Balochistan, FATA and Gilgit/Baltistan and enrolled on merit in the higher education institutions located in the territory of Balochistan, FATA and Gilgit/ Baltistan, are eligible under this programme.

In addition, the students belonging to FATA and enrolled at the higher education institutions of KPK province are also eligible.The scheme being executed by Higher Education Commission has been introduced initially for five (5) years, beginning in Financial Year 2012-13, with the provision that those students who join the scheme in the last year, i.e. Financial Year 2016-17, would continue to be funded until they complete their academic programme.

The federal cabinet in its meeting held on June 1, 2012 approved the Tuition Fee Payment Scheme for the students of Balochistan, FATA and Gilgit Baltistan during Financial Year 2012-13.The vice chancellors, academic circles and parents appreciated the new initiative announced by the Prime Minister of Pakistan which would be quite helpful in providing equitable access to highereducation especially to the students belonging to hard and remote areas of the country.


< The Nation >

Baloch VS Baloch: BRA attacked Ahmadan Bugti

Quetta—Member National Assembly Mir Ahmadan Bugti and 17 other people were injured in an  explosion that took place on Friday at the Gol Chowk in Balochistan province’s Dera Bugti district.

Balochistan Republican Army accepted the responsibility for the attack.

The blast occurred near a mosque as people were leaving its premises after offering Friday prayers. Levies sources said a remote-controlled bomb was used in the explosion and the target of the attack  was Bugti, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q).

Two of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

The explosion caused damage to shops and vehicles and created panic among residents of the locality.Ahmadan Bugti and his son were discharged after first aid and were shifted to Multan for further treatment.

Banned Baloch Republican Army has accepted the responsibility for the attack. BRA spokesman Sarbaz Baloch claimed that target of the attack was Ahmadan Bugi for his alleged anti Baloch activities.


Earlier, In 2008, Ahmadan Bugti’s son Liaquat Ali Bugti survived two separate targeted bomb blasts. Separatist militants, the Baloch Republican Army, had claimed responsibility of one of the attacks.

< Pakistan Observer >

Four Hundred And Seven Water Purification Plants Installed In Balochistan

Balochistan government is committed to ensure clean drinking water to citizens across the province and substantial funds have been allocated for new and ongoing water schemes.

According to the Provincial Public Health Engineering department sources‚ the provincial government in collaboration with the federal government is also installing water filtration plants in every union council of the province.

As many as 407 water purification plants have already been installed out of four hundred and nine.

Referring to potable water supply to Gwadar‚ the sources said Akra Core dam caters for water needs of Gwadar town. However‚ the dam's capacity is reducing due to accumulation of silting.

< Radio Pakistan  >

30 HEC scholarships awarded to female faculty from Balochistan

ISLAMABAD - Under faculty development program of Higher Education Commission (HEC), 30 scholarships have been awarded to the female faculty of Sardar Bhaudar Khan Women University (SBKWU) Quetta, the first Women University of Balochistan. According to the details, MS leading to PhD and PhD-level scholarships have been awarded in three categories: overseas scholarships, split and indigenous scholarships. The awarded scholarships would cover various disciplines i.e economics, mathematics, computer Science, management science, botany and zoology etc.

Addressing special scholarship award ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of SBKWU Ms. Sultana Baloch congratulated the scholarship awardees and lauded the efforts of HEC for undertaking a number of initiatives to increase access to higher education in Balochistan province. She was of the view that faculty development program has been greatly helpful in strengthening the capacity faculty of SBKWU in all areas.

She also informed that through new phase, 30 more scholarships would be awarded soon in various disciplines. She also appreciated the transparent selection process which enabled the capable and deserving candidates to get an opportunity to enhance their knowledge at the leading higher education institutions of academically advanced countries. Earlier Mr. Wasim Hashmi Syed, Project Director and Focal Person HEC conducted orientation session with SBKWU scholars and provided them the guidelines of the HEC scholarships policies and assist them to secure admission in HEC recognized international Universities.

Since its inception, HEC has paid special attention towards promoting higher education sector in the Balochistan province. The main initiatives include special scholarship schemes for the faculty and youth of Balochistan, implementation of federal government’s quota policy in award of local and foreign scholarships, establishment of well-equipped HEC regional centre at Quetta, number of universities has been increased from 2 to 7 including first women university of Balochistan and launched special projects for the development of basic infrastructure at higher education institutions of the province including labs, class rooms, seminars rooms, labs, transport facilities, digital libraries, video conferencing facility etc.

HEC has already awarded 2,000 scholarships to students of Balochistan and FATA under the project “Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Balochistan & FATA” during the last four years. Under second and new phase of the project, 1500 more scholarships would be awarded to the students of Balochistan and FATA. HEC has also arranged foundation course for 684 students of Balochistan at Quetta. To date 66 scholars have completed their studies and among these 7 scholars from Balochistan have shown outstanding performance and have clinched gold medal from leading Universities of country i.e. COMSATS, NUST, GC University Lahore and University of Balochistan.

Recently, 600 Masters leading to PhD scholarships for the natives of Balochistan province have been announced under the “Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package” with a cost of Rs. 3,138.692 million. The project is focused towards providing opportunities for access to higher education to financially constrained youth of Balochistan, who despite possessing academic merit are unable to continue their further studies. The offered scholarship would cover tuition costs, accommodation and living expenses of the selected candidates.

< Pakistan Today >

The Baloch: Mir Jafar Khan Jamali

Mir Jafar Khan Jamali. In 1943, on the invitation of Mir Sahib, the Quaid e Azam visited Quetta, the provincial headquarters of Balochistan. He had arranged such a massive reception for the Quaid that he proclaimed Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali and the Jamali tribe as the ‘gateway to Balochistan’.

Mir sahib devoted all his resources towards achieving the goal of a separate homeland for the Muslims and it would not be wrong to conclude that Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali and the Jamali tribe were indeed the ‘gateway to Balochistan’ as proclaimed by Jinnah. This lead to a Baloch Grand Jirga verdict in favor of Pakistan. Before independence, Mir Sahib had served numerous times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Jacobabad. Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali was the Vice-President of the Balochistan Muslim League and a Senior Leader of the Sindh Chapter of Muslim League

Mir Jafar Khan Jamali engaged Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah as a lawyer for a land property dispute with Khan Of Kalat and the British government. Mr. Jinnah won the case, this relationship then change to personal friendship with Mr. Muhammad Ali.

Mir Sahib met his creator on 7th April 1967, in Karachi and was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard in Rojhan Jamali.

 Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had suggested to the Jamali family to bury the body of Mir Sahib at the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi but this suggestion was turned down by the elders of the family stating that its rightful place is besides their ancestors at their ancestral graveyard. His nephew, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, was 13th Prime Minister of Pakistan. The district of Jafarabad, Balochistan is named after him.