No Possibility of Change in Balochistan Government, Says Parliamentary Secretary Mir Asghar Rind

TURBAT: Balochistan Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Mir Asghar Rind has said that, in his personal view, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti is likely to continue in office, while emphasizing that the final decision rests with the party leadership.

Speaking during a media briefing at his residence in Turbat, Rind said he was bound by the decisions of the party leadership and would accept whatever decision it made.

He acknowledged that Balochistan was facing numerous challenges and that all issues in the province had not been fully resolved. However, he said Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti was managing affairs according to his own approach.

Rind said the chief minister was taking provincial assembly members, ministers and the public along within the scope of his authority. Therefore, he said, he currently saw no clear indication of a change in the chief minister or the provincial government.

He said there could potentially be changes in the cabinet or reshuffling of some departments, but he did not foresee a complete change of government.

Discussing his own performance during the past two and a half years, Rind said he was not “100 percent satisfied,” but was also not disappointed with his overall performance and efforts. He said the people were the best judges of his performance.

Rind said several development projects had been completed in his constituency according to available resources, particularly in electricity, roads, solarisation, health and education.

He described the establishment of Tump as a new district, achieved with the support of Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and other colleagues, as a major achievement. However, he said further efforts and resources were required for the development of the new district and improvement of its infrastructure.

He said development work was continuing in the road sector and efforts were also underway to address electricity and load-shedding issues.

Several development projects were currently under way in Nasirabad, he said, adding that efforts were being made to start work on remaining schemes next month.

Rind said he was not completely satisfied with progress in employment and development but was not discouraged either. He said efforts were continuing to create employment opportunities, develop Tump and launch various projects from Kalatuk in Kech district to Tump.

He said he had also contacted senior officials and the deputy commissioner after development schemes for Tump were not included in the current year’s Balochistan Annual Development Programme (BTI). He expressed hope that schemes covering Tump, Nasirabad and Kalatuk would be included in the next budget.

The parliamentary secretary said several projects for his area had been included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PHDIP), including water supply schemes, home solar systems, agricultural solar projects, high-tension poles and transformers, buildings for educational and health institutions, a cultural centre and other development schemes.

Rind said efforts were being made to utilize Rs500 million in MPA funds so that development work could be seen in every area and, at minimum, in every union council.

He said the tendering process for these projects was currently under way and that tangible development work would become visible to the public once the tendering process was completed.