Rs1 billion for cameras, scanner gates in Quetta

Balochistan government has allocated one billion rupees for the installation of 2,500 surveillance cameras and six security gates in the Quetta Valley for improving the law and order.

The Information Technology Department of Balochistan has finalised the proposals for installing security cameras at selected areas and six scanner gates at entry and exist points of Quetta.

“We believe in using modern technology for crime control and security,” Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch told The Express Tribune. “This will help to control the law and order situation in Quetta which has witnessed series of tragic incidents in recent months,” he added.

Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said government has hired NESPAK as consultant, which would soon invite international bids for this project. “At least Rs600 million have been allocated for each security camera and gate,” he said.

Earlier talking to the media regarding the security situation the chief minister said that the Balochistan government has already announced motorcycle mounted police force for Quetta.

The CM said that the provincial government has revised its security plan for Quetta after these incidents. “We would be the first one using such modern technology in Quetta and spending a huge amount,” he said.
Drought relief

The Balochistan government has allocated one billion rupees for the drought hit areas of the province, while two committees have been constituted to monitor the relief work, Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said on Wednesday.

One committee will have public representatives, including Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Advisor to CM on Livestock Ubaidullah Babat, while the other will have deputy commissioners of the drought hit districts, he said. “There have been no rains in Zhob, Musa Khail, Kohlu, Barkhan and Dera Bugti which have affected the agriculture and livestock of these districts. We want to provide relief to people of these calamity hit areas,” he said speaking at a briefing by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said that Balochistan was not receiving enough rains due to global warming and climate change.

The committees would visit all the drought hit areas and make an assessment before the start of relief work. “There had been large scale corruption in Balochistan in the name of drought and natural disaster. We want a transparent process of distribution of relief that is why two separate committees were formed,” he said.

< Express Tribune >

Balochistan govt regularises services of lady health workers

QUETTA: The Balochis­tan government has regularised the services of all lady health supervisors, lady hea­lth workers, account supervisors and drivers who have been working on an ad hoc basis in the National Prog­ramme for Family Planning and Primary Heath Care in 30 districts of the province.

According to a notification issued by the health department, the services of these employees have been made permanent since July 1, 2012.

The decision has been made in accordance with orders of the Supreme Court.

The districts where services of these employees have been regularised are Quetta, Pishin, Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Dera Bugti, Kohlu, Barkhan, Loralai, Musa Khail, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar, Sibi, Harnai, Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Kechhi, Jhal Magsi, Zhob, Sherani, Washuk and Ziarat.

< Dawn >

Private Money Lending Bill moved in Balochistan Assembly

QUETTA: The Prohibition of Private Money Lending Bill 2014 moved in Balochistan Assembly here on Monday.

The assembly session held with Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali in chair. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal tabled Prohibition of Private Money Lending Bill 2014. The assembly gave the bill exemption from Balochistan Rules and Conduct of Business 1975.

Speaking in the house, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F MPA, Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran said that private money lending had financially destroyed several families in Balochistan.

He emphasized the need to put ban on private money lending, adding that it would be responsibility of the government to implement the law in letter and spirit that would be passed by the Balochistan Assembly against private money lending.

Minister Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal on behalf of Advisor to Chief Minister on Finance, Mir Khalid Langov put Balochistan Audit Report 2013-14 on the desks of the members of assembly. Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali directed to hand over the audit report to Public Accounts Committee.

Meanwhile, Minister for Planning and Development, Dr. Hamid Khan Achakzai told the house that work on several ongoing road projects continued in different areas including Shahrag, Harani, Dera Allahyar, Hair Din, Osta Muhammad and others.

< AJJ TV >

In Pictures: Media Day celebrations in Balochistan

Media Day celebrations were held in connection with Balochistan Sports Festival. Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr. Abdul Malik gives awarding cash among the families of terrorist victimized media persons during Media Day celebrations.

WFP, Balochistan Govt to assist malnourished kids, women

The World Food Programme (WFP) and Baluchistan government jointly launched a project to assist around 108,271 malnourished children, pregnant and lactating women suffering to prevent stunting and micronutrient deficiencies.

The project would be implemented with collaboration of Balochistan Department of Health from 2013 to 2015 in nine districts of Balochistan including Zhob, Musakhel, Lora Lai,Qilla Saifullah, Pishin, Nushki, Kharan, Washuk, Chagai by providing them food supplements through Lady Health Workers (LHWs).

It would also prevent their intergenerational transmission using locally produced specialized nutritious products and promoting appropriate infant and young child feeding practices utilizing effective behavior change communication strategies.

Balochistan is the second most affected province, where only 36.5% of the population were food secure. 33.9% were food insecure without hunger, Nicole CARN, World Food Programme (WFP) Chief in Balochistan told APP.

In response to the nutrition situation in Balochistan, WFP has been assisting the Health Department of Balochistan to address the issue of malnutrition through Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), she added.

This will also contribute to reducing the incidence of low birth weight as maternal nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women will be improved.

Out of 32 districts in Balochistan, there are nine districts where Balochistan Nutrition Cell, along with WFP was working to address the issue of malnutrition.—APP

< Pakistan Observer >

Interest-based business punishable in Balochistan

QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet on Monday declared conducting interest-based business in the province as a punishable offence.

The provincial cabinet, which met with Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch in the chair, also clamped a complete ban on the transportation of fuel and other inflammable substances via public transport in the wake of Saturday’s tragic accident in Hub in which dozens of people perished. It directed the police and Levies force to ensure implementation of the ban.

The chief minister observed that the death of dozens of people in Hub was a tragedy, adding that the transportation of fuel in the passenger bus caused the massive fire. He underlined the need to stop the recurrence of such incidents in the future.

Dr Malik announced that his government would not allow transportation of petrol, diesel, gas and other inflammable substances through passenger buses. The provincial cabinet also prayed for the departed souls.

The cabinet decided to fill the vacant posts in districts of the province and directed the Balochistan Services and General Administration Department to approach the Federal Establishment Division for lifting the ban on government jobs in the federal departments, semi-government and autonomous bodies.

Dr Malik Baloch vowed to come up to the expectations of the masses and said appointments on the vacant posts on district level would be made on the basis of merit.The cabinet also reviewed the pace of work on the development projects and directed to gear up the pace of work on them.

< The News >

In Pictures: Balochistan Sports Festival

Balochistan Sport Festival was the first major sports event held in the province since the 2004 National Games. “We can fight terrorism by promoting sports,” the chief minister said on the occasion, adding that organising the event was a joint effort of all institutions.The Balochistan government had allocated Rs75 million for the sports festival.

Good news for Sindh, Balochistan

ISLAMABAD - Education Sector Plans for Sindh and Balochistan were endorsed by the representatives of 10 development organisations and agencies at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) as a prerequisite to seek US $100 million from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to help Pakistan achieve education-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Education Minister Balochistan, Sardar Raza Muhammad Barrech, Secretary Education Balochistan Ghulam Ali Baluch and the Additional Chief Secretary Sindh Fazlullah Pechuho witnessed the signing ceremony on Tuesday. The representatives of the European Union, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Australian Government's Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), German Aid Agency (GIZ), United Kingdom's Department for International Aid (DFID) World Bank, UNESCO and UNICEF signed the endorsement document.

The GPE had indicated a grant of US $100 million for programme implementation of the education sector plans in Sindh and Balochistan. Of this, Sindh will receive $66 million and Balochistan will get $34 million. The World Bank is the supervising entity for both Sindh and Balochistan, whereas the European Union and UNICEF are the coordinating entities for Sindh and Balochistan respectively.

"Today is a historic day for the government and people of Balochistan as along with our partners we have arrived at the same page and tied ourselves to a common objective to transform Balochistan into an educated and progressive province of Pakistan within a short period of five years," said Sardar Raza Muhammad, Education Minister Balochistan. "Our education system direly needed a strategic direction coupled with an effective implementation plan. This Education Sector Plan will provide that and we are immensely grateful to all our partners as it has been possible only with your support."

The government of Balochistan aims to utilise the GPE grant for upgrading 800 primary schools to middle schools and 100 middle schools to higher secondary schools which will help increase enrolment and reduce dropout rates.

Additional Chief Secretary Sindh Fazalullah Pechuho said, "We identified the need for a new Education Sector Plan for Sindh in 2012. As a result of a consultative and comprehensive process which followed during the next two years, we have managed to formulate this plan, with support of the development partners including GPE. We are thankful to all those who are present here for endorsing this document."

With the help of the GPE grant, the Government of Sindh aims to increase the Net Enrolment Rate (NER) for 2014-2018 for Katchi from 32 to 45 per cent; for Primary from 59 to 77 per cent; for Middle from 32 to 50 per cent; for Secondary from 23 to 35 per cent and for Higher Secondary from 19 to 30 per cent.
"The EU welcomes the adoption of the Education Sector Plans, which we have contributed to.  These plans will form the basis for free and compulsory education for all as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan," said the European Union Ambassador, Lars Gunnar Wigemark.  "Establishing a roadmap for education in the respective provinces, the Education Sector Plans include clear accountability mechanisms for their implementation. The EU and other development partners will be providing support to the respective education departments to ensure the implementation of the Education Sector Plans".

Speaking on the occasion, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Dan Rohrmann said, "The development partners' endorsement of the two provincial Education Sector Plans marks a milestone in the Millennium Development Goals Acceleration Framework. This is also a significant leap forward in the context of the National Plan of Action which the Prime Minister of Pakistan presented in the UN General Assembly Education Ministerial Meeting last year.

In addition to that Pakistan has selected the enrolment rate as an indicator for the MDG Acceleration Framework. Since 2015 is the year for achieving the MDGs and Education for All, it is critical that we accelerate efforts for education in the country."

The Education Sector Plans have been developed through a participatory and transparent process and provide an impetus for free and compulsory education as guaranteed by Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. These will establish a roadmap for education in the respective provinces, with clear accountability mechanisms for implementing various components of the programme. The development partners will be providing technical support to the respective education departments in effective implementation of the plans.

< The Nation >

Balochistan CM pays surprise visit to examination centers

QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch paid surprise visit to examination centers for SSC exams in Quetta here Wednesday. Advisor to CM on Education Raza Mohammad Barech accompanied the Chief Minister.

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch during his visit asked the invigilators to make sure that students are not cheating in the exams. “We want to promote merit and are determined to end trend of cheating and other means utilized for passing the exams,” he stressed.

Advisor to CM on Education told Dr Abdul Malik Baloch that the teachers have strictly been asked to keep check on the students and discourage the trend of cheating.

< The News >

Rs61bn Balochistan Education Sector Plan prepared: Dr Malik

QUETTA: Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that the Balochistan Education Sector Plan has been prepared at a cost of Rs61.35 billion as an instrument to manage prioritisation, planning, execution, monitoring and review of education policies in the province.

Addressing the last session of a two-day international forum titled “Turkey educational challenges: international experience in education policy & search for solutions” in Istanbul the other day, he said the Pak-Turkish International Educational Foundation was delivering quality education to students in Pakistan.

According to a press release issued here on Monday, the chief minister said that almost 1.3 million children were out of school in Balochistan. A high dropout rate, wide gender disparities in education indicators, poor quality of teaching and low access of children to school had emerged as the biggest challenge in the province, he pointed out.

He said Balochistan faced the most unique situation in Pakistan as a large number of settlements (approximately 10,000 out of a total of 22,000) were without schools, where 81pc of the population was catered by the public sector, 9pc by the private sector and the rest by madressahs.

He said ties between Turkey and Pakistan were rooted in shared history, a common cultural heritage and reflected the aspiration of people of both countries.

“Pakistan and Turkey are extending cooperation to each other in diversified fields and the relations between them are bolstering with each passing day,” he said.

< Dawn >

Balochistan govt establishes donation cell for Thar victims

QUETTA, Mar 12 (APP): The Balochistan government has established donation cell for the victims of Thar area of Sindh Province. On the directives of Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Maik Baloch, donation cell has been setup in the office of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in the provincial capital.

Expressing sympathies with the starving people of Thar, as many as four trucks carrying relief goods have already been dispatched by the Home Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti to affected region.
The philanthropists have been asked to contact at 2880245 for donation

< APP >

Balochistan to bring tangible change in agri sector: CM

File Photo: Dr Abdul Malik Baloch

QUETTA  - Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that coalition government was committed to bring a tangible change in agri-sector as it was the main stay of economy of the province.
"Government would utilise all funds transparently for the development of all sectors in Balochistan, including that of agriculture and this time the government is accountable to the people but it should not be blamed for the mistakes committed by previous governments," he expressed these views while addressing a seminar organised by Balochistan Zamindar Action Committee, here on Tuesday.

Chief Minister said the issues of farmers are genuine which are being given due focus as agri-sector could bring a huge change in the province once it was put on right direction. "In order to address the load-shedding I personally monitoring the work on Dadu-Khuzdar and DI-Loralai Transmission Lines," he added. He said that a project of 300MW solar energy had been chalked out with Korean company which would be installed in Kuchlak area that would help minimise load-shedding. "Government would also help convert tube-wells to solar energy," Chief Minister added.

He said that Rs 5 billion had been allocated for purchase of bulldozers, adding that government would also help farmers to install date and other fruits packing systems in the province.

< The Nation >

Punjab, Balochistan govts sign three MoUs

Provincial Minister for Law and Local Government Rana Sanaullah Khan and Balochistan Minister for Local Government Sardar Mustafa Khan Tareen 

Lahore—Three memorandums of understanding were signed between Punjab and Balochistan governments here on Thursday for promotion of cooperation in solid waste management, urban development and parks and horticulture sectors.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest on the occasion. Provincial Minister for Law and Local Government, Rana Sanaullah Khan and Minister for Local Government Balochistan Sardar Mustafa Khan Tareen signed the MoUs under which Punjab government would provide cooperation to the Balochistan government in solid waste management, urban development and parks and horticulture sectors in Quetta. Punjab government will also provide expertise to Balochistan government in these sectors.

Punjab government will provide all out facilities to Balochistan government in disposal of solid waste in Quetta while the urban unit of Punjab government will provide necessary skill to the Balochistan government in master planning of the cities, solution of problems through information and communication and monitoring of development schemes. Similarly, Parks & Horticulture Authority would provide expertise to the Balochistan government regarding development of parks and horticulture.

< Pakistan Observer >

Balochistan Minister inaugurates 3 BEF schools

QUETTA (APP): Balochistan Minister Nawab Mohammad Ayaz Khan Jogezai inaugurated three schools constructed by the Balochistan Education Foundation (BEF) at Qilla saifullah on Friday.
BEF Manager Shabir Ahmed Baraich and Zonal Engineer Ahmed Shah Nasar were also present on the occasion.

Talking to media persons the Minister hoped that newly constructed school's buildings would help more enrollments of the children.

< The Frontier Post >

Balochistan Assembly passes rehabilitation bill

Jan 28 (INP): The Balochistan Assembly passed Balochistan Terrorism Victims and their Rehabilitation Bill 2014 on Tuesday. The assembly passes total three bills and adopted two resolutions unanimously during the seven sitting of its seventh session.

Other than Balochistan Terrorism Victims and their Rehabilitation Bill 2014, the provincial assembly passed Compulsory Education Bill and Balochistan Food Authority Bill, 2014 and Balochistan Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Bill was also introduced in the House.

Two other bills comprising Balochistan Domestic Violence (Prevention) Bill 2014 and Sardar Bhadur Khan Women University Bill 2014 were deferred until February 01. Jointly tabled by five legislators of PkMAP, the House adopted a resolution demanding of the federal government to pay international air service charges (airspace royalty) to the province. 

The House also adopted another resolution, jointly tabled by seven PML-N and three PkMAP legislators, calling upon the government to set up Agricultural University in any of the three districts, including Sohbatpur, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad.

The opposition members, who boycotted the last sitting, accusing the government of resorting to nepotism in transfer-posting policies, returned to the House 57 minutes after the start of the proceedings.

< Frontier Post >

CM Balochistan declares education emergency

Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch directed the registrar and controller of examinations of university to provide required facilities at centers during examinations.

The Balochistan Chief Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch has declared education emergency in the province and directed authorities concerned to take strict action against students found cheating in MA examinations.
In a meeting he was talking to University of Balochistan officials after his surprise visit to some centers set up by the University of Balochistan in government schools for the M.A annual examinations in Quetta.

Taking notice of pitiable conditions of the examination halls‚ the CM directed the registrar and controller of examinations of the university to provide required facilities at the centers during the examinations.
In the meeting the Chief Minister issued orders for immediate arrangements for electricity‚ furniture‚ heaters and repairs of windows in the examination centers.

The CM also directed that Cabinet members‚ Members of Assembly and Provincial Secretaries should also visit the examination centers.

Meeting was told that orders have been issued for improving security at the examination centers and patrolling has also been increased.

Earlier‚ The CM paid surprise visit to M.A examination centers set up at Special High School and Railway Girls School in Quetta.

< Radio Pakistan >

In Pictures: Dr Malik Inaugurates Sport Complex In Quake-Hit Awaran

The Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik inaugurated a children’s park in the district and distributed cheques among those affected by the quake. He inaugurated the area’s Sports Week, organized by local administration and the army as well as a sports complex and announced 5 million rupees for the district’s sports committee. 

Agreement signed for installation of Solar Energy Plant in Balochistan

QUETTA : The Balochistan government signed on Sunday an agreement with a Korean company to set up a 300 megawatt solar power plant at a cost of $700 million. Work on the project will start in this year and complete by 2017.

Provincial Energy Secretary Fawad Hashim Rabbani and Chief Executive Officer of the Korean company Dr Choi Moon-Sok signed the agreement.

Speaking on the occasion, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch expressed the hope that the power plant would help solve the energy problem in the province. “The 300MW solar energy project will cater to the needs of industrial, agricultural, commercial and domestic sectors and boost economy,” he said.

The chief minister invited foreign investors to Balochistan and said great investment opportunities exist in the province.

The provincial government would provide all facilities and security to investors, he added. The government has provided 1,500 acres of land near Quetta for establishing the solar power plant.

< Dawn >

Kudos to Balochistan: Local polls held

BALOCHISTAN deserves praise for being the first in the federation to hold local government polls on Saturday since the elected local bodies were wrapped up nearly four years ago. It has set an example that the other provinces, more stable and developed than Balochistan, should follow. The elected third tier of government is an essential component of democracy anywhere, but more so in Balochistan, considering the province’s particular circumstances. Because of the Baloch people’s lack of trust in Islamabad and other factors, such as the remoteness of many communities from the provincial capital, elected local representatives can play a key role in bringing development, prosperity and peace to the province. The fact that the polls went ahead and citizens participated is a positive sign. It shows that all is not lost and that the democratic process has continued despite the many hurdles that threatened to scuttle the polls, such as the separatists’ boycott, kidnapping of candidates and the general level of insecurity in Balochistan. The provincial government should be praised for holding the polls despite all odds.

However, it is also true that polling was not entirely a seamless affair. Reports indicate election staff arrived late in some areas, while there was a shortage of staff in other locations. It is also disturbing that women voters were temporarily barred from casting their ballots in Nushki district before the authorities intervened. And while incidents of election-related violence were few in number, the turnout was low in areas where the separatists have clout. Now that the elections have taken place, perhaps the real challenge starts. The newly elected local representatives will have to work overtime to resolve the people’s problems in Balochistan — and these problems are clearly many. In the meantime, the Punjab and Sindh governments must seriously ponder what is preventing them from holding local polls. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration should also do the same if it can shift its focus from sit-ins and blockades to the larger issue of the people’s welfare.

< Dawn >

Balochistan govt, London college sign agreement to provide scholarships to Baloch students

The Balochistan government has signed an agreement with the London College of Business Management and Information Technology (LCBMIT) to provide scholarships to Baloch students at universities in United Kingdom.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Balochistan government and the London College of Business Management and Information Technology (LCBMIT) at the Balochistan House in Karachi on Saturday.

The LCBMIT will provide scholarships to the students of Balochistan through the provincial government for obtaining higher education in the UK

The agreement was signed by Baluchistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik and LCBMIT’s Toaha Qureshi. The central figures behind the deal are Akram Kaimkhani and Senator Hasil Bizenjo.

The scholarships worth £98,000 include two 12-month scholarships for postgraduate programmes in LLM international commercial law worth £18,000 and 10 scholarships at 50 percent fees for LLM international commercial law one-year graduate programme amounting to £40,000.

These scholarships are being awarded under the social welfare mission “Alleviating Poverty through Making People Employable” initiated by the LCBMIT and a UK-based think tank Stockwell Green Community Services’ Forum for International Relations Development (FIRD).

The scholars would be nominated by the Balochistan government. A committee headed by the chief minister would be formed to consider applications submitted by prospective candidates. The approved applications would then be forwarded to the LCBMIT.

To ensure merit, the scholarships will only cover the tuition fees for the first study year alone and the scholarship’s continuation would be decided on the basis of proper attendance, results, merit and progression.

Recognising the need for education for the social and economic development of Balochistan, the chief minister has encouraged investors to come to the province, which is home to around 10 million people.

The Balochistan government will collaborate with the British Deputy High Commission to ensure the smooth running of the immigration process. The British government provides £650m in aid every year to Pakistan for higher education. But the Balochistan government receives no funds from the grants while the major portion goes to Punjab.

< The News >