Balochistan Cabinet Approves Reforms to Bring 1.6 Million Children into Education, Ensure Transparent Public Procurement

QUETTA: The Balochistan provincial cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, has approved a wide range of measures aimed at promoting economic development, improving education and healthcare, strengthening administrative systems, protecting women and making public services more accessible to citizens.

Briefing the media on the cabinet’s decisions, Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information and Political Affairs Shahid Rind said the approved measures represented an important step towards expanding economic activity, improving governance and formulating policies according to public needs.

The cabinet approved a policy for the utilisation of the Balochistan Mineral Development Fund to ensure that financial benefits generated by the province’s natural resources contribute effectively to development and public welfare. It also approved draft Balochistan Tourism and Cultural policies to promote tourism, create employment opportunities and preserve the province’s historical and cultural heritage.

Education reforms targeting 1.6 million children

In the education sector, the cabinet approved the Balochistan Non-Formal Education Act 2025. The provincial government plans to launch a programme targeting approximately 1.6 million children aged 10 to 16 who are currently outside the formal education system.

The initiative aims to provide educational opportunities to children who have been unable to enrol in regular schools and help them return to the learning process.

The cabinet also approved a policy to introduce double teaching shifts in government schools, allowing existing school buildings and infrastructure to accommodate more students through evening classes. The move is intended to increase enrolment capacity while making better use of available resources.

The formation of the administrative board of the Balochistan Education Foundation was also approved.

Revival of closed industries and business facilitation

To boost economic activity, the cabinet approved a policy to revive non-operational and closed industrial units in Balochistan. The policy envisages financial assistance and incentives to restart existing industries, attract investment and create employment opportunities.

The cabinet also approved the Balochistan Ease of Doing Business Act 2026, aimed at simplifying the process of establishing and operating businesses, reducing unnecessary administrative hurdles and creating a more favourable environment for investment.

It also approved an increase in the estimated cost of a major project under the mechanised cotton cultivation programme to encourage modern farming methods, improve productivity and ease difficulties faced by farmers.

Healthcare and telemedicine legislation

In the health sector, the cabinet approved the interim appointment of Professor Abdul Razzaq as chief executive officer of the Balochistan Institute of Kidney Diseases in Quetta. The government clarified that the appointment would not be permanent and that the position would be advertised to recruit a qualified professional from the private sector.

The cabinet also approved the Balochistan Telemedicine and Remote Healthcare Services Act 2026 to provide a legal framework for delivering specialist medical services to remote areas through modern communication technologies.

The Balochistan Public Health Act 2026 was also approved to strengthen the legal and administrative foundations of the province’s public healthcare system. The cabinet additionally considered the construction of a hostel at the cardiac institute.

Tourism, culture and mineral resources

The cabinet approved draft provincial tourism and cultural policies to develop tourist destinations, encourage tourism-related economic activity and protect Balochistan’s cultural and historical heritage.

The mineral development fund policy is intended to establish clear guidelines for using revenues generated from the province’s natural resources to benefit local communities and support development initiatives.

The cabinet also approved exempting the federal Lolang Dam project from provincial taxes to reduce its financial burden and facilitate timely completion.

Women’s protection and urban development

To strengthen the protection of women, the cabinet approved the Balochistan Commission on the Status of Women Amendment Act 2026 and the Balochistan Shelters and Dar-ul-Aman Administrative Control Act 2026.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan for establishing safe shelters for women in all divisional headquarters, providing protection, legal assistance and basic facilities to women facing difficult circumstances.

For urban development, the cabinet decided to establish a public park and urban forests on Radio Pakistan land along Sariab Road in Quetta through a public-private partnership.

It also agreed to a proposal to relocate dairy farms from Quetta city to the Aghbarg area along Sajji Road to address sanitation, traffic, environmental and public health concerns.

Public procurement reforms approved

A major part of the cabinet meeting focused on improving transparency and efficiency in government procurement.

The cabinet approved proposed amendments to the Balochistan Public Procurement Rules 2014. Habib-ur-Rehman Jamot, managing director of the Balochistan Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (BPPRA), briefed the cabinet on electronic procurement and measures to make the tendering process more transparent and competitive.

Under the approved amendments, electronic bidding will be mandatory for all works, goods, services and consultancy tenders valued at more than Rs500,000. The proposal establishes a uniform financial threshold across all sectors.

The amendments also raise the proposed limit for petty purchases from Rs100,000 to Rs200,000 and the limit for procurement through quotations from Rs200,000 to Rs500,000. The fee for bidding documents will be abolished to reduce the financial burden on bidders.

The proposed rules also specify bid validity periods, calculated from the opening of technical proposals. These periods will be 90 days for national competitive bidding and 120 days for international competitive bidding involving works, consultancy and services. For goods, the proposed periods are 45 days for national procurement and 60 days for international procurement.

The cabinet was also briefed on clearer conditions for cancelling procurement before the award of a contract, including cases where the purchase is no longer required, funds are unavailable, bid prices are unusually high or a significant irregularity is identified. Public disclosure of cancellations on the BPPRA website will be mandatory.

The amendments are intended to reduce unnecessary delays in routine and emergency procurement while maintaining transparency, financial discipline and compliance with regulations.

E-domicile services and administrative changes

The cabinet approved the issuance of e-domicile and local certificates through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). The proposed Rs200 government fee has been waived, although NADRA’s prescribed service fee will remain applicable.

The measure is expected to reduce paperwork, unnecessary visits to government offices and waiting times for citizens seeking official certificates.

The cabinet also approved changes to revenue boundaries in the former Quetta district and the redrawing of North and South Quetta boundaries to improve administration and service delivery in response to population growth and urban expansion.

The cabinet approved the establishment of new district councils in all newly announced districts, as well as recommendations to define police station jurisdictions following the merger of Balochistan Levies into the police system.

Other approved measures included the establishment of a new judicial lock-up in Uthal, the formation of the Balochistan Prisons Policy Board, and amendments to the Balochistan Service Tribunal Act 1974.

The cabinet also approved a policy for appointing project directors to development projects and revising their remuneration to attract qualified and experienced professionals.

Additional decisions

The cabinet approved amendments to Schedule XVI of the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 concerning third-party insurance, with the aim of clarifying legal and financial responsibilities and strengthening protections for affected individuals.

It also approved the formation of local administrative structures in newly announced districts and measures to improve the management of public services.

Shahid Rind said the cabinet’s decisions reflected the provincial government’s broader policy priorities, including bringing out-of-school children into education, improving healthcare access, reviving industries, promoting investment, protecting women and modernising public procurement.

He said the government aimed to ensure that approved policies translated into practical improvements in the lives of ordinary people across Balochistan.