Balochistan Assembly Approves Flood Relief and Upgradation of Aghberg to Tehsil Status

Quetta:The Balochistan Assembly on Friday passed resolutions to provide **financial assistance to flood-affected communities under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)** and to grant **tehsil status to Aghberg**, a suburban area of Quetta. The session, chaired by Speaker Capt (R) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, was adjourned until **September 23** due to lack of quorum.

During the session, opposition leader Mir Younus Aziz Zehri protested rising costs in dam construction projects, which was later referred to the relevant committee. Lawmakers also debated hospital medicine budgets in Gwadar, Pasni, and Ormara, while Zehri criticized the issuance of liquor shop licenses in Lasbela and Khuzdar, calling it a contradiction to the province’s healthcare needs. The Speaker ruled that licenses granted outside the law must be revoked and encouraged lawmakers to legislate on the issue.

ANP lawmaker Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai presented a joint resolution, later approved, welcoming the federal government’s **climate and agricultural emergency initiative**, stressing that **flood victims in Balochistan must also receive aid through BISP** and that global aid should reach affected communities directly. Provincial Minister Zahoor Buledi noted that climate change had worsened Pakistan’s vulnerability, warning of future **food shortages** due to current flood impacts.

The Assembly also unanimously approved the resolution to **upgrade Aghberg to a tehsil**, acknowledging its growing population of around 60,000, existing hospitals and colleges, and its eligibility for improved administrative and development services. Revenue Minister Mir Asim Kurd Gello stated the provincial cabinet had already approved the creation of new tehsils.

Additionally, JUI-F member Mir Zabit Ali Reki presented a resolution urging the federal government to expedite work on the **102 km Nokundi–Mashkhel Road**, stalled since its launch in 2020 despite over Rs 4 billion allocated. Lawmakers criticized the federal government for underfunding Balochistan’s projects, with only 15–16 km completed so far.

As proceedings continued, quorum was pointed out by MPA Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, leading to adjournment of the session until **September 23**.

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کیا آپ چاہتے ہیں میں اس خبر کا **مختصر ورژن** بھی تیار کردوں جو صرف اہم نکات پر مبنی ہو اور نیوز بلیٹن کے لیے موزوں ہو؟