Balochistan plans reforms in education, health care – Pakistan

QUETTA: The Balochistan Cabinet has decided to introduce sweeping reforms in the education and healthcare sectors to improve service delivery and has also approved the incorporation of federal armed forces into the administrative framework of Balochistan, with a view to strengthening provincial control and coordination.

In the two-day cabinet meeting that ended on Wednesday, 30 agenda items were discussed and many important decisions were taken to protect the interests of citizens and provide maximum facilities to common people.

Balochistan Government Spokesperson Shahid Rind, while briefing the media on the decisions taken by the government during the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, said that the ministers gave a nod to reforms in the education and health sectors, which were badly affected by the negligence of the previous government and the authorities concerned.

The Prime Minister directed the ministers of both departments to prepare comprehensive recommendations and reform plans to improve their work and performance.

Committee formed to integrate federal, provincial Levies forces

“The government has decided to form a committee, headed by Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove, to determine the future of federal levies. Provincial ministers Sardar Sarfaraz Domki, Sardar Abdul Rahman Khetran and Noor Muhammad Dummar will be members of the committee,” Rind said.

He said the cabinet had approved the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 2024, which aims to prevent underage marriages and protect the rights of children in the province. The act took a long time to be approved by the Council of Ministers.

The Domestic Violence Amendment Bill 2023 was also approved to end violence against women and protect their rights.

The government decided to hold interviews to appoint the chairman and members of the provincial Zakat commission, rather than making direct appointments, to ensure a more transparent and merit-based selection process.

At the meeting, a decision was also made to increase the fees for extending and issuing licenses for private security companies operating in the voivodeship. It approved the establishment of the Balochistan Forensic Science Agency and a special police station for women in Sibi.

The government approved the establishment of the Balochistan Pharmacy Council and made it compulsory for Muslim students to learn the Quran.

The meeting was informed that the Balochistan government is sending a special plane for the safe return of Balochistan students stranded in Kyrgyzstan due to unrest. The spokesman said provincial authorities had received details of 95 students scheduled for repatriation from Kyrgyzstan.

Published in Dawn on May 23, 2024