Blatant Mismanagement of Development Schemes Sparks Heated Debate in Balochistan Assembly
**Quetta:** The Balochistan Assembly erupted in protest over the allocation of development projects (PDs) and the transfer of small schemes from field departments to centralized project management units, raising concerns about transparency and governance.
During the session, ministers and assembly members criticized the practice of merging small-scale projects into large three-billion-rupee schemes and assigning them to select PDs, bypassing field officers. Provincial Minister Mir Salim Khosa highlighted that education department upgrades were being transferred to the Planning & Development Project Management Unit without proper justification. Similarly, Provincial Minister Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran pointed out that schemes for urban planning, roads, buildings, and water supply were being redirected to favored individuals connected to the Chief Minister.
Parliamentary Secretary Mir Asghar Rand welcomed the creation of the new Kech district but questioned the sudden cancellation of tenders in education and energy sectors without explanation. Lawmakers emphasized that if all projects are to be executed via PDs, other departments might as well be closed, sarcastically suggesting that PDs be provided a helicopter to oversee projects across the province.
In response, Provincial Minister for Planning & Development Mir Zahoor Belidi defended the process, saying projects exceeding three billion rupees require a PD under Planning Commission guidelines, and cabinet approval allows for the transfer of schemes between departments, later ratified through supplementary budgets. He acknowledged some issues could be discussed further.
The debate also touched on the allocation of six billion rupees for ration distribution, with lawmakers questioning why PDs were being used for procurement rather than relevant departments. Opposition members, including Dr. Nawaz Kabezi, demanded that non-relevant PDs be removed from the process to ensure proper oversight.
The heated exchange underscores growing frustration over governance, transparency, and centralized control of development funds in Balochistan.
