Forgotten treasures of Balochistan

Mohammad Ibrahim Langou deals in gemstones while Haji Abdul Hanan Khilji collects antique coins. The vendor and antique collector from Quetta, respectively, recently came to Karachi and exhibited their collections at the International Gems and Jewellery Show Pakistan, which was held at the Pearl Continental hotel on Saturday. They shared their stories with The Express Tribune.

“Mining of gemstones has been happening for the past 100 to 150 years in this part of the world [Balochistan],” says Langou, who owns a shop called Balochistan Gems, Jewellery and Handicraft in Quetta. “However, things have changed drastically over the years; tribal houses govern the mines now and this field has become a difficult place for others to enter.”

This vendor has been in the business as a middleman for almost four years now. But he admits working conditions in Quetta are not hassle-free due to the current scenario and political instability. “Politics have gravely affected the business of mining and gemstones,” he says, with regret in his eyes. He says the industry has faced a blip, and that there are no profits or buyers.

Although Langou visits the Chaghai and Kharan belts — areas which are rich in gemstones such as Lapis Lazuli and Peridot — he feels the industry in Quetta, which was once frequented by tourists from the west as well as from the Far East, is dying,

Antique collector Khilji, who has passionately been collecting coins since he was a little boy, was also present at the exhibition. “Travelers from other parts of the world sell these off to me,” he says, talking about how he owns centuries old remnants. And yet while these coins depict heritage, there are no buyers. “There aren’t any buyers in such a political set-up but things are looking good in the near future. With elections, things might just change for the better,” he exclaims.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Khilji — owner of a shop in Quetta called Saif Jewellers Ambers & Handicrafts — pointed out one of his most precious collectibles: a coin with British Queen Victoria. His collection also included relics which would take a person to another era altogether such as that of the Abbasids or that of Mehmood Ghaznavi.

He only gathers and displays select coins; he admits that he dreads traveling to the no-go areas of the Baloch region, calling the Bilour belt and Faryab region troublesome places to be seen in.

With almost 24 years to his journey, and about 200 pieces in his extensive collection, Khilji reveals that he will leave his inherited pieces to his children and would love to have them follow in his footsteps.

< Express Tribune >

Baloch Tech Innovator Impresses President Obama

KARACHI: A recent tweet by US President Barak Obama mentions Pakistani tech innovator Faizan Buzdar as a perfect example of why immigration reform was required in the country.

The US president attached a link to a video with his tweet in which Faizan Buzdar speaks of his experiences in starting a tech company in the United States. Buzdar founded Convo.com which is a cloud based digital collaboration workspace that enables businesses and their globally distributed teams to work faster.

In the video, Buzdar mentions how it took him over a year to set up the business which is “light years for a start up.” He said America needed immigration reform or it risked losing out on innovations. “Economies are going to be built on innovation,” Buzdar said in the video.

The US president has made immigration reform one of his top priorities for this year and Organizing for America (OFA) has gathered 7,000 stories from undocumented immigrants to be distributed on social media.

The movement is being supported by many in the technology community who favour an immigration bill which would allow more non-US nationals into the country to help promote innovation.

< The News >

(Buzdar (Balochi: بزدار) is a Baloch tribe found primarily in the mountainous area of the Suleiman Mountains, situated in tribal areas of D.G.Khan mainly and also in Balochistan, Pakistan: Wikipedia )

11 women get on Balochistan Assembly reserved seats

File Photo: Dr. Fozia Marri as the first ever Deputy Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly,

QUETTA  - Election Commission of Pakistan has announced the names of candidates of different parties elected on 11 women and 3 minority seats in Balochistan Assembly, on Tuesday.

According to ECP notification, Kiran Haider, Samina Khan and Rahila Durrani of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Sipozmay Achakzai, Masuma Hayat and Farzana of Pashtoon Khwa Milli Awami Party, Yaseen Lehri and Shahma Ishaq Baloch of National Party, Shahida Rauf and Hussan Banur of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Ruqia Hashmi of PML-Q have been elected members of Balochistan Assembly on women reserved seats. Similarly, on minority seats, PML-N’s Santosh Kumar, PkMAP’s William Barkat and Andrew Maseh of NP have been elected members of Balochistan.

After the notification, PML-N’s seats increased to 18, PkMAP’s 14, NP’s 11, JUI-F’s 8 and PML-5.

< The Nation >

Despite threats, Balochistan saw record turnout in polls

File Photo: Care Taker PM Mir Hazar Khoso and CM Balochistan, Nawab Ghaus Baksh Barozai

Islamabad: Despite militants’ constant threat to bar candidates from casting votes in the May 11 polls, Balochistan witnessed a record turnout of 43% for the first time in election history.

In the 2008 general elections, the turnout remained 31% after several nationalist parties boycotted the polls. This time round, though turnout was low in some districts like Kalat, Punjgur, Gwadar, Makran, Khuzdar, Mastung and Dera Bugti, polling was carried out in stations throughout Balochistan, Provincial Chief Election Commissioner Syed Sultan told The Express Tribune. Militants failed when people came out of their homes to exercise their right to vote on the polling day, he said.

“The 2013 elections were the first ever impartial polls in the history of Balochistan,” observed Mir Amanullah Khan Gichki, a Balochistan politician. “Violent forces failed to stop voters from casting votes, even in Baloch-dominated areas. People wanted peace through ballots now,” said Mir, who has served as Pakistan ambassador as well as minister in the federal cabinet.

1,300,628 from a total of 3,336,659 votes were cast in the 2013 general elections while 1,367,001 of 4,365,273 voters exercised their right to vote in the previous elections.

Though leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians claimed that results were manipulated through record levels of rigging in several constituencies – they did agree that through these elections, people defeated the militants.

< Express Tribune >

Hazar Khan Khoso inaugurated new district and Balochistan University campus

Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso inaugurated a new district of Sohbatpur in Balochistan on Saturday. The new district has a population of over 200‚000 and it was a long-standing demand of the people of the area.

Sohbatpur district will comprise four tehsils namely Manjipur‚ Hayrvi‚ Faridabad and Sohbatpur. It has eight police stations. The new district borders with Naseerabad‚ Jafarabad and Dera Bugti areas in Balochistan and Jacobabad and Kashmore in Sindh. With Sohbatpur becoming the new district‚ the number of districts in Balochistan will reach 32.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated a campus of Baluchistan University at Naseerabad. Secretary Higher Education Commission briefed the Prime Minister about the campus. With the establishment of the campus‚ students of the area will have now modern higher education.

The Prime Minister also attended briefing about power and gas projects‚ expansion of Pat Feeder canal and establishment of a medical college in Sohbatpur.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Sohabtpur district‚ the Prime Minister said it will not only increase business activity in the area‚ but also reduce difficulties of local people. He thanked all political parties and the people for participating in general elections. He also appreciated the efforts of army and other law enforcement agencies for conducting the elections in a good manner.


Prime Minister Khoso said the country faces various challenges both internally and externally and expressed the hope that the coming government will overcome the situation.

< Radio Pakistan >

Lasbela – the economic lifeline for Balochistan

Probably Pakistan would not be that much economically dependent on Karachi as an industrial and financial capital as Balochistan is on Lasbela – a district that gives 90% of industrial output and 70% of revenue generated by the province.

Lasbela district is located on the southern coast of Balochistan, adjacent to western borders of Karachi. Its proximity to Karachi and its ports has been the single most important factor for its industrialisation.
“Infrastructure and industrial development of Lasbela means the development of Balochistan because of its overwhelming impact on the economy of the province,” Managing Director of Lasbela Industrial Estates Development Authority (LIEDA) Noor Ahmed Samoon told The Express Tribune in an interview.
Samoon, a 19th grade officer of the District Management Group (DMG), believes the district has all the potential to attract investors owing to its cheap land and 24-hour electricity and gas supply.

At a time when Karachi is facing one of the worst phases of security concerns, the industrial areas of Lasbela district are relatively calm. But, perhaps, the word Balochistan carries an additional baggage of security fears with it that unfortunately overshadows even the brightest prospects the province holds.

Planned industrialisation of Lasbela started 29 years ago, when the Government of Balochistan established LIEDA in 1984 to eradicate poverty. LIEDA then developed five industrial estates in the district along the RCD Highway that connects Karachi to Gwadar and Karachi to Quetta.

Today, there are over 300 industrial units in these five estates, of which 202 are operational. But what is important is that these units produce revenue of over Rs11 billion in sales tax and income tax that makes up over 70% of the revenue for Balochistan.

The manufacturing units include big names like Proctor & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Attock Cement, Byco Petroleum, etc.

Like industrial areas of Karachi, security has been one of the biggest concerns for the business community in Lasbela district.

“We know that security is one of the biggest concerns faced by the investors. For this, we have effectively used the police and FC to control land grabbing and other crimes to allay the fears of the business community in the last few years,” said Samoon, who has also served for 18 months as the deputy commissioner of Lasbela.

Lasbela attracts workers and migrants from all over Balochistan mainly because of irrigated land and job opportunities in industries. To meet the growing demand for electricity and water, the Government of Balochistan is working on a 50-megawatt power plant and supply of additional water from Hub Dam – the lifeline for irrigated land and industries of Lasbela.

The biggest association of the business community in Lasbela district is the Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) that has over 150 members. Most of the LCCI Industrialists that spoke to The Express Tribune said they were satisfied with the efforts of the provincial government to maintain law and order in the district.

The industrialists said one of the biggest satisfactions for them was the regular supply of electricity and gas in the district that many of their counterparts wish to have in Punjab and other northern parts of the country.
The district is also extremely important for Balochistan because of its marble industry, one of the few indigenous industries of the province. Unfortunately, the mineral-rich province has virtually no presence of marble industry in any other parts.

Almost all the marble industry of the province is concentrated in Lasbela within its Marble City Gaddani – a project spread over 238 acres of land situated some 23 kilometres from the western boundary of Karachi that was inaugurated in 2005. The importance of marble city can also be gauged from the fact that over 90% of marble exports from Balochistan are from Lasbela.

< Express Tribune >

List of winners of Balochistan Assembly seats

Islamabad

Following is the unofficial list of winners of Balochistan Assembly seats.

PB-1

Winner - Tahir Mehmood Khan

Pakistan Muslim League (N)

PB-2

Winner - Syed Muhammad Raza

Independent

PB-3

Winner - Nawab Muhammad Ayaz Khan Jogezai

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party

PB-4

Winner - Raza Mohmmad Bareech

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party

PB-5

Winner - Nasar Khan Zeerey

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party

PB-6

Winner - Ahmad Ali Kohzad

Hazara Democratic Party

PB-7

Winner - Haji Gul M Dammar

Pakistan Muslim League (F)

PB-8

Winner - Agha Syed Liaquat Ali

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party

PB-9

Winner - Abdul Malik Kakar

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F)

PB-10

Winner - Sirdar Gulam Mustafa Khan Tareen

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party

PB-11

Winner - Hamid Khan Achakzai

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party

PB-12

Winner - Eng. Zamarok Khan

Awami National Party

PB-13

Winner - Abdul Majeed Khan Acakzai

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party

PB-14

Winner - Sardar Muhammad Nasir

Pakistan Muslim League (N)

PB-15

Winner - Mahaz- Ul -Allah

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F)

PB-16

Winner - Ubaid Ullah Jan Babat

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party

PB-17

Winner - Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran

Pakistan Muslim League (N)

PB-18

Winner - Mufti Gulab Khan

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F)

PB-19

Shaikh Jaffir Khan Mandokhail

PML-Q

PB-20

Winner - Maulana Abdul Wasi

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F)

PB-21

Winner - Sarfaraz Chakar Domki

Independent

PB-22

Winner - Abdul Raheem Ziar Tawaal

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party

PB-23

Winner - Nawab Zaada Jangiz Marri

Pakistan Muslim League (N)

PB-24

Winner - Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti

Independent

PB-25

Winner - Mir Jaan Muhammad Jamali

Pakistan Muslim League (N)

PB-26

Winner - Rahat Jamali

Pakistan Muslim League (N)

PB-27

Winner - Mohmmad Izhar Hussain

Pakistan Muslim League (N)

PB-28

Winner - Mir Abdul Majid Abro

Jamote Qaumi Movement

PB-29

Winner - Abdul Ghafoor Lehri

Pakistan Muslim League (N)

PB-30

Winner - Mir Muhammad Asim

Independent

PB-31

Winner - Mir Aamir Khan

Independent

PB-32

Result awaited

PB-33

Winner - Sardar Sanaullah

Pakistan Muslim League (N)

PB-34

Sardar Muhammad Bazinjo

National Party

PB-35

Muhammad Akhtar Mengal

Balochistan National Party

PB-36

Winner - Mir Khalid

National Party

PB-37

Winner - Mir Zafar Ullah Khan Zehri

Balochistan National Party (Awami)

PB-38

Winner -Nawal Muhammad Khan Shahwani

National Party

PB-39

Winner -Mir Ammanullah Nutizai

PML-Q

PB-40

Winner -Babo Raheem Mengal

Independent

PB-41

Winner -Mir Abdul Quddus Bazinjo

PML-Q

PB-42

Result awaited

PB-43

Result awaited

PB-44

Winner -Jam Kamal Khan

Independent

PB-45

Winner -Muhammad Saleh Bhutani

Independent

PB-46

Winner - Abdul Kareem Nausherwani

Pakistan Muslim League (Q)

PB-47

Winner -Mir Mujeeb ur Rehman Hasni

Independent

PB-48

Winner -Abdul Malik

National Party

PB-49

Winner - Muhammad Azeem

National Party

PB-50

Winner - Muhammad Akram Dashti

National Party

PB-51

Winner -Mir Haml Kalmti

Balochistan National 

Party.

< The News >

PM directs early recruitment of Baloch to 3,000 federal jobs

File Photo:PM Mir Hazar Khan Khoso

Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has directed the Establishment Division to widely publicise recruitment against vacancies available with the federal government on quota reserved for Balochistan, so that maximum number of people could be accessed for transparent recruitment to these positions.

The prime minister gave these directions during a high-level meeting on Tuesday while reviewing the progress made by the Establishment Division for recruitment to over 3,000 vacancies available in the federal government against Balochistan’s quota.

He directed the Establishment Division that in case the response to the advertisement issued by the respective departments was not adequate, the date of extension for filling vacant posts may be extended by 10 days and the post be advertised again in local media in Balochistan to attract maximum response.

Khoso was informed that 2,800 of these vacancies were available in non-gazetted cadre.

He was informed that the vacancies included positions in all tiers in government departments of the federal government. Filling of these vacancies would give adequate representation and a foot-print to Balochistan in the federal set-up, officials said.

Khoso also directed the National Database Registration Authority to develop software that should carry complete information and database on the demography and population in Balochistan.

He said the software would be beneficial for purpose of reference in future planning and recruitment in the federal, as well as provincial governments.

The recruitment process was earlier put on hold with a view to adjust employees of devolved ministries after the passage of the 18th Amendment..

< Pakistan Today >

A lesser known Quetta

QUETTA: Despite being wracked by violence, Quetta remains famous for its hospitality. Back in the day, it also used to be famous for peace – but gone are those days when that was the city’s claim to fame.

In fact, religious, tribal and political norms used to be a source of protection for the most vulnerable sections of society. Quetta’s strong tribal traditions prevented minorities like Hindus and Christians from being targeted.

But now, a contradiction has emerged – In the shadow of violence, tolerance now lurks in the background: still existent, but in pockets. Because women still enjoy freedom and protection for example, minorities are turning to women and using them as protectors while traveling to sensitive parts of the city.

Quetta is surrounded by mountains, which form a natural ‘fort’ – the name of the city itself originates from Kwatta, meaning fort in Pashto. To the north lies Zarghoon Mountain, Murdar in the East, Chiltan in the South and Takatu in the West. The urban centre is multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic. For centuries, Quetta housed people of all ethnicities, religions and sects with an open heart.

Despite the unrest and bloodshed, people try to find happiness where they can. Recently, Basant was celebrated – proof of citizens’ courage in efforts to bury sorrows and hatred. From grandson to grandfather, everyone participated in the kite-flying. Shutter down strikes continue, yet people come out and go to picnic spots on the eve of such strikes.

Despite these strands of resilience, Quetta’s natural beauty and vibrant culture has been overshadowed by suicide attacks, target killings and violence.

It started in the 1980s, when the CIA-backed Mujahideen (today’s terrorists) were harbored and protected here. The mercenaries not only brought weapons here, but they also introduced the curse of narcotics. Now, the most sparsely populated province of the country has become a corridor for drug smugglers.

Picnicking in the shadow of check posts

A nomad family migrating for the season in the suburbs of Quetta.

Ordinary citizens of Quetta are aware of the contradictions they live with. “Security forces’ check posts have surrounded picnic points everywhere,” says Dr. Irfan Tareen, who has been practicing medicine for the last 25 years. He adds that the closure of several roads for security reasons means it’s difficult to move around the city.

 Tareen points out that every Friday, a crowd gathers at Ayub Stadium and Sadiq Shaheed Park to dance to the beat of drums. Meanwhile, markets, hotels and shopping centres remain packed with people.

Baldia Hotel, an old meeting place in Quetta, still hosts a crowd of academics, politicians and literary figures. Located opposite a district court constructed during the colonial era, Baldia Hotel is always packed.

Here, Khalid Noorzai, a well-known photographer, sips and cup of tea and explains how the hotel provides an opportunity to meet with different people. “Here, everyone speaks about politics”, Noorzai says. “You can see all the old comrades here,” he adds.

Seasoned politicians like Khan Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai, Mir Ghous Bizenjo and other politicians would come here to talk shop. Without doubt, political awareness remains high in Balochistan.

Politics, nature, and festivals aside, there’s always food. Quetta’s famous for mutton roast in Kuchlak, and Lehri Sajji is always packed with people eager to have their version of the traditional Balochi dish.

Not too long ago, these were the things that kept Quetta in the limelight – its culture, its vibrancy. While a handful of people have tried to distort that image, many citizens in the violence-stricken society try to hold on to, and actively take part in the Quetta they once knew.

< Dawn >

10,082 joined Pakistan army from Balochistan in three years

File Photo: Passing out Parade of Pakistan Army

ISLAMABAD: A total of 10,082 youth from Balochistan have joined the Pakistan Army as officers and soldiers during the last three years, authoritative sources have revealed.

The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had allotted 10,000 vacancies for the youth of Balochistan in the army during the years 2009-2011 and announced an additional 5,000 vacancies for 2012.

“We are happy to note that there is a tremendous response to the army’s recruitment drive in Balochistan,” said the sources. “The enthusiasm among the youth of the province to join the armed forces, especially the army, is unambiguous.” The sources asserted that the army chief was taking a keen interest in the affairs of the province so as to play his part in improving the economic standing of the Baloch.

Highlighting the educational projects undertaken by the military in Balochistan in the last five years, the sources counted a college in Sui, Balochistan Public School in Sui, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences (QIMS), GIT (Gwadar Institute of Technology), Chamalang Beneficiary Education Programme (CBEP), BITE (Balochistan Institute of Technical Education) and Army Institute of Mineralogy (AIM). They said these institutes had had been launched to promote education and enlighten the youth of the province.

They said the military had also constructed a 50-bed hospital in Sui, provided assistance to the Ministry of Education, Balochistan, carried out relief activities during floods and arranged free medical camps for the local people.

Moreover, the army was also involved in development activities at Chamalang, Musa Khel and Dukki coalmines, Kassa Hill marble project and dates farming at Panjgur. “The military will continue to actively take part in development projects in the province and in providing tangible assistance in different sectors,” said the sources. “All projects, especially in the educational sector, are invaluable in raising the profile of people of the province.” They added that coherent insight, candid appraisal of the complex situation, formulation and implementation of constructive policies by the military was now changing the situation on the ground. — Waqar Ahmed

< The News >

Baloch student wins gold medal in global contest

File Photo: Pakistan Day Celebrated at PakTurk Quetta

Pakistani student hailing from Balochistan on Tuesday won the Grand Winner Award and a gold medal in an international computer project competition held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Waleed Bashir from Khuzdar, a grade 9 student of Quetta’s PakTurk School won the top accolade in the 1st International Infomatrix Asia and Pacific Project Competition 2013.

Bashir, 15, made a project titled, “Green Automation” and won the top prize amongst 100 projects presented by students from twenty countries including Russia, Azerbaijan, India, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Georgia, Somalia and Ukraine.

He developed an automated system which controlled the garden of a house through the computer and internet without any human attendant.

Heat, water level, and humidity were controlled through the sensors, while the energy required to run the system derived from movable solar panels which followed the direction of the sun automatically.

The project which could be used to increase the production of crops in an efficient and economical way without grid electricity quickly caught the attention of the judges who declared Bashir winner and gave him $600 as prize money.

Commenting on his success, Bashir said that he always wanted to serve his largely arid province and wanted to make entire Pakistan fertile.

< Pakistan Today >

Baloch VS Baloch: BLA killed Son, brother and nephew of Sardar Zehri

QUETTA, April 16: Four people were killed when an election convoy of PML-N’s Balochistan leader Sardar Sanaullah Zehri came under a bomb attack in Anjira area of Khuzdar on Tuesday.

Sardar Zehri survived the attack but his son, brother and nephew and a guard were killed. At least 25 people were injured.

The PML-N leader is contesting for one national and one provincial assembly seats from Khuzdar and Kalat districts.

The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the bomb attack. In a call from an unspecified place, BLA’s spokesman Jiand Baloch told BBC that his organisation had carried out the attack.


Sources said there were about 30 vehicles in the convoy. The powerful blast took place at a bridge near the Anjira area of Zehri tehsil. “The son of Sardar Zehri, his brother, nephew and a guard were killed on the spot when their vehicle was blown up,” Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Khuzdar Range, told Dawn. Three other vehicles were badly damaged, he said.

“The blast took place when the bullet-proof vehicle of Sardar Zehri had crossed the bridge,” the sources said. Some reports suggesting that Sardar Zehri had received minor injuries were not confirmed by officials and PML-N sources.

Commissioner of Kalat division Dr Mohammad Akbar said that an improvised explosive device (IED) planted under the bridge was detonated with remote control, but it could not explode because of jammers in the Sardar vehicle. But the IED hit the vehicle carrying his son Sikandar Zehri, brother Mir Meharullah Zehri, nephew Zaib Zehri, killing them and the guard whose identity could not ascertained till late night.

The commissioner said the district administration had not been informed about the movement of the convoy. Besides, Dr Akbar said, Levies Force personnel posted in the area were not trained and had no equipment to detect explosive devices. “It is the first blast of its nature in the area,” he said.

The injured were taken to the Khuzdar district hospital where at least five of them were in critical condition. Interior Minister Malik Habib has asked Balochistan’s inspector general of police to submit a report about the incident.

After the bomb attack, the provincial government strengthened security of Sardar Sanaullah Zehri and deployed 25 soldiers of Anti-Terrorist Force and Levies Force.

< Dawn News >

In Pictures: Astola, Pakistan’s largest offshore island

Astola Island, also known as Jezira Haft Talar  or 'Island of the Seven Hills', is a small uninhabited Pakistani island in the Arabian Sea approximately 25 km (16 mi) south of the nearest part of the coast and 39 km (24 mi) southeast of the fishing port of Pasni.

Astola is Pakistan's largest offshore island at approximately 6.7 km (4.2 mi) long with a maximum width of 2.3 km (1.4 mi) and an area of approximately 6.7 km2 (2.6 sq mi). The highest point is 246 ft (75 m) above sea level. This island is part of the Pasni subdistrict of Gwadar District in Balochistan province:

< Express Tribune >

Solar energy project electrifies for 1500 houses in Balochistan

About 1500 houses were electrified under the provincial government solar energy project Besides An MoU has been inked between the Balochistan government and Korea company for installing of 300 MW solar power plant near the provincial capital.

Balochistan Secretary Energy Fawad Hashim Rabbani said that provincial government in a bid to cope with the energy crises initiated uplift alternate power schemes across the province.

Some 411 houses in Kalat, 595 houses in Surab and 343 houses in Khuzdar lacking the conventional electricity options have been connected with solar system, he added.

He said solar project would soon start producing approximately 300 Mega Watt electricity. The Korean company has agreed to invest $ 900 million under the solar energy project.

He noted that for the solar project which would be completed till 2016 government has allocated 1,500 acres of land in Khuchlak, adjoining area of Quetta.

Secretary energy said in order to boost the agriculture sector in the province, federal government has agreed to release funds for putting 800 tubewells out of total over 1500 on solar energy system.

Besides, government is also mulling over to install 20 solar powered water pumps in 10 districts currently being run under the PHE department.

Rabbani referring the other projects executed in the power sector in Balochistan said that federal government has been asked to speed up work on Loralai-DG Khan 220 KV and Dadu-Khuzdar 220 KV power projects so that energy crises could be contained more effectively.

To a question, he said that feasibility report is being prepared to utilize the tidal waves in the long coastal areas for the benefit of the people of the province. Though tidal waves projects cost a bit expensive, however, countries including Korea were producing ample electricity through tidal waves.

< Global Post >

Balochistan student earns distinction in ACCA exam

File Photo: Al-Hamd Islamic University offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration, Computer Sciences, Commerce and Education since 1995

QUETTA: A student from Balochistan has topped the ACCA exam held in December last year.

Ahmed Ali achieved the highest marks in the professional exam worldwide for paper F9, with a score of 94. The British Council conducts the exam across the world.

In a letter to Mr Ali, Alan Hatfield, the Director Learning of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, UK, said: “I am delighted to inform you that your performance in the ACCA December 2012 examination was outstanding and you achieved the highest marks worldwide for paper F9 with a score 94.”

The association has announced a cash prize and a certificate of merit for Mr Ali.—Staff Correspondent.

< Dawn >

Quetta visit: Kayani wants an inclusive election in Balochistan

File Photo: General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visiting Balochistan Institute of Technical Training running under Southern Command at Quetta

In what appears to be a move aimed at quelling growing divisions in the province, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday urged all political parties in Balochistan to participate in the upcoming elections.

Arriving in the provincial capital of Quetta, Kayani held in depth meetings with Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and caretaker Chief Minister Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai.

According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meetings discussed the conduct of the upcoming general elections and the overall security situation in the province.  General Kayani reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to extend all possible assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan for holding free, fair and peaceful elections.

He assured the provincial leadership that the armed forces would welcome an “all inclusive elections” in the province. Kayani emphasised the need for participation by all political parties in the May elections, and was quoted in the statement as saying “The army is prepared to extend all necessary support in this regard.”
The army chief’s statement came just weeks before what many believe will be a historic democratic transition from one civilian administration to another.

A military official told The Express Tribune that the army strongly believes that the revival of political activities in Balochistan would help address the longstanding problems of the province. Balochistan’s nationalist parties boycotted the general elections in 2008. However, there are growing signs that many are now willing to participate in the May 11 polls.

The chief of Balochistan National Party Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who recently returned home ending a four-year self imposed exile, hinted at his party’s participation in the election process. But Mengal’s party is under pressure from radical nationalists to stay away from the polls.

Nevertheless, many political parties including National Party, Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) and Jamat-e-Islami have already announced their participation in the elections, including the candidates they plan to field in the upcoming polls.

< Express Tribune >

The Baloch: Mir Hazar Khan Khoso

* Justice (R) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso is the 23rd and current caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, appointed on 24 March 2013.

* Khoso was born on 30 September 1929 in Goth Azam Khan village in the Jaffarabad District of the South-East Balochistan, Pakistan.

* Khoso is a retired Judge who previously served as the Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court and is currently serving as the interim Prime Minister ahead of the general elections scheduled in May this year.

* Khoso, who is known for his simplicity, began his professional career in 1957 as a lawyer of then West Pakistan Karachi Bench and then became a Supreme Court lawyer in 1980.

* He became a judge at Balochistan High Court in 1977 and served that position for next two years.

* He was reappointed as an additional judge in March 1985 and he was confirmed as a permanent judge of the provincial high court in 1987.

* He was elevated as the chief justice of Balochistan High Court in 1989.

* He was appointed as governor of Balochistan twice but for brief periods. Firstly he governed the province from June 25 until July 12 in 1990 and from March 13 1991 until July 13 in 1991.

* Khoso was appointed as a judge of the Federal Shariat Court that rules according to Islamic injunction. After assuming his new responsibilities in 1991 the next year he was promoted as the chief justice of the Shariat Court and continued to be so until 1994.

* Because of his integrity and clean reputation, Khoso currently serves as the Balochistan Chairman of the Zakat Council, a position that demands both uprightness and responsibility.

* The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) appointed Khoso as the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan on 24 March 2013, out of four nominees coming from both the opposition and the dissolved government. He took oath on 25 March 2013.

WFP to help implement Balochistan nutrition programme

Islamabad—World Food Programme (WFP) has provided medical equipment worth Rs. 16.2 million to Balochistan to ensure implementation of its nutrition programme in letter and spirit. The current supply of equipment includes blood pressure apparatus, delivery tables, oxygen cylinders, infant scales, and furniture for patients and staff. An official at WFP Islamabad on Monday said the equipment will be used at basic health facilities in the province where WFP implements its nutrition programme.

It also includes vehicles, laptop computers, scanners and printers for health department staff, he said. The official said food security situation and malnutrition amongst children and women in particular is critical in Pakistan and added during this year, the WFP plans to invest in nutrition to help overcome the problem. He said as part of its commitment to strengthen capacity of the government, WFP has been supporting national institutions through the supply of non-food items in addition to assisting the food insecure population.

He said WFP has also trained over 1,400 staff of health department and NGO partners in managing supplementary feeding under the ongoing Community based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) intervention and in commodity management. WFP’s nutrition activities are carried out in partnership with the Health Department of Balochistan, UNICEF and other NGOs under the recovery phase of 2010 and 2012 floods.—APP

< Pakistan Observor >

In Pictures: Sibi Mela 2013

Sib Mela, where tribesmen flock from all over Baluchistan, parts of Sind and Punjab with their animals. The salient features of this “Mela” are horse and cattle and cultural shows, tent pegging, camel races. Animal markets and exhibitions o handicrafts, tribal dresses and folk dances.

Britishers quote in 1885 that a horse fair was first held at Sibi in the month of February, which was fully availed by them during the Afghan war. Whatever the hypothesis, the Sibi Mela provided a greater opportunity for people to get together and the increasing items of games and events aggrandized the interest of the common masses into the festivals of Sibi. The cooperation of the people of the adjoining areas in the sale and purchase of cattle’s was also vitally important in its organization.

Balochistan Times Report on Sibi Mela-2011.

Anti-smuggling drive in Balochistan in full swing

File Photo: ANF recovered 530 kgs of opium and 360 kgs of chars after encounter with drug traffickers in Balochistan.

The anti-smuggling drive is in full swing in Balochistan as the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation-FBR Quetta on Monday has claimed to have confiscated 28 smuggled luxury vehicles and a huge cache of hashish and Kenyan tea worth in millions during the last 70 days.

According to official sources, the performance of the Directorate remains phenomenal during the last two months, despite an inadequate workforce and logistics. Presently, only 27 officials including officers and sepoys are responsible for patrolling the whole Balochistan borders abutting Afghanistan, Iran and 700 miles of coastline.

They said that the Directorate has apprehended 28 duty unpaid vehicles during the last 70 days under the leadership of Muhammad Iqbal Bhawana. However, the said office had earlier reported only three such seizures during September 2012 to November 2012. In addition, the Directorate had also seized 36 falcons from Jiwani, which was the biggest ever seizure on the high seas. A huge cache of hashish was confiscated from Chaman-Quetta road; around two tons of Kenyan tea was detained from Sariab road Quetta while Iranian diesel was also impounded from Jiwani during the aforesaid period.

< Business Recorder >