Balochistan Assembly Passes Three Bills Including Levies Force Amendment Act

QUETTA – The Balochistan Assembly on Thursday passed three important bills, including the Balochistan Levies Force Amendment Bill, while also approving resolutions related to development of the Gabd border and establishment of women’s technical and vocational training centers across the province.

During the session, lawmakers discussed several public and administrative issues, including development funds, border trade, mining leases, and women’s education.

BNP lawmaker Mir Asadullah Baloch raised concerns over the non-release of development funds for constituency PB-29 Panjgur under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for fiscal year 2024-25. He said the matter had already been decided by the Balochistan High Court, which directed authorities to allocate funds for the constituency, but the decision had yet to be implemented.

Provincial Minister Mir Zahoor Buledi assured the assembly that he would recommend allocation of funds for the constituency in the next budget, while the Speaker directed that the court decision be sent to the chief secretary for implementation.

Another notice was raised regarding the alleged allocation of large mining lease areas in Qila Saifullah to private companies, with lawmakers expressing concern over the inclusion of previously allocated mining zones.

The assembly also unanimously passed a resolution presented by Haq Do Tehreek lawmaker Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman calling for improved facilities at the Gabd border, including clean drinking water, electricity, internet access, and roads. The resolution further demanded full operationalization of the border to promote trade and economic activity.

Additionally, a resolution introduced by Deputy Speaker Ghazala Gola on behalf of the Women Parliamentary Caucus was approved, urging the provincial government to establish separate women’s technical and vocational education institutes at divisional headquarters across Balochistan.

A separate resolution seeking to rename the province’s coastal areas as “Bahra-e-Baloch” was deferred due to the absence of the mover.

Later in the session, Provincial Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove presented the Balochistan Levies Force Amendment Bill, which was passed despite opposition demands to refer it to a standing committee.

The assembly also approved the Balochistan Prisons and Correctional Services Bill and the Balochistan Control of Narcotics Bill.