Balochistan Government Likely to Approve DRA Allowance for Employees; Final Decision to Be Made in Cabinet Meeting

Quetta : The long-awaited **Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA)** for **Balochistan’s government employees** has entered its final stage, with the matter now set to be presented before the **provincial cabinet** for approval. This was confirmed by **Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani** during a recent statement.

The finance minister revealed that a **four-member committee**, formed on the **chief minister’s directives** and comprising **himself, Rahila Durrani, Asfand Kakar, and Iqbal Shah**, held several meetings with representatives of government employees. The committee, after reviewing the province’s **financial position** and rising **inflation**, found the employees’ demands to be **legitimate and reasonable**.

Nosherwani stated that each **5% increase** in the allowance would place an **additional burden of Rs. 3.5 to 4 billion** on the provincial exchequer, and the overall financial impact had been thoroughly assessed.

He added that the committee’s **recommendations have been submitted** to the chief minister, and the matter was included in the **agenda of the last cabinet meeting**. However, since three committee members were not present at that time, he requested the chief minister to defer the decision until a **comprehensive briefing** could be provided in the next session — a request the CM accepted.

The finance minister assured employees that, once approved, the **DRA allowance will be implemented retroactively from July**, so there is **no need for concern**. He also emphasized that the chief minister is focused on **improving performance and governance reforms**, which will be considered alongside the allowance approval.

Nosherwani acknowledged that in the past, **Balochistan employees were deprived of a 10% salary increase** granted in other provinces, leading to a **pay disparity**. The **final decision** on the DRA allowance is now **expected in the upcoming cabinet meeting**, where the committee will formally present its recommendations.