Sharp Questions in Balochistan Assembly Over Journalist Layoffs, Dengue Crisis, Hospital Conditions and Poor Road Construction

Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta) — A session of the Balochistan Assembly was held under the chairmanship of Speaker Captain (R) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, where detailed discussions were held on political, social, and economic issues facing the province.
During the question hour, responses were presented by relevant departments, but much of the attention of the House remained focused on the alleged mistreatment of journalists and forced layoffs in media houses. Members of the assembly, including Farah Azeem Shah and Rahmat Saleh Baloch, raised the issue, stating that Balochistan is already underrepresented in national media and closure of bureau offices is unacceptable.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti assured the House that he would take up the matter with the Federal Information Minister and ensure that media workers are not subjected to injustice.
The Assembly also unanimously passed an important resolution regarding women’s health and hygiene, calling for the removal of GST and additional sales tax on sanitary napkins and related raw materials. The resolution highlighted that 89 percent of women in Balochistan lack access to basic hygiene products.
Another unanimous resolution presented by Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman called for the protection of minority rights in the province.
Separately, a call attention notice was raised by Rahmat Saleh Baloch over more than 2,000 dengue cases reported in the Makran Division, while MPA Mir Zabad Ali Reki highlighted delays in the appointment of heirs of government employees who died during service. The Speaker subsequently sought detailed recruitment records.
Lawmakers, including Zahoor Buledi and Mir Zabad Reki, also expressed differing views on the law and order situation in the province.
Meanwhile, strong criticism was directed at the National Highway Authority (NHA) by Opposition Leader Younus Aziz Zehri over the poor condition of the Quetta–Karachi highway, which he said deteriorated within a week of repair. The Deputy Speaker directed that NHA officials be summoned to the Assembly.
The session also witnessed heated discussion on public health, infrastructure, and governance issues. Due to lack of quorum, the Speaker adjourned the session until May 14.