Balochistan Assembly Holds Session: Key Legislative Updates and Political Discussions

Quetta:The **Balochistan Assembly** convened on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Speaker **Captain (R) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai**. During the session, **Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA)** **Mir Ali Hassan Zehri** took the oath of office. The ceremony was attended by **Chief Minister Balochistan** **Mir Sarfraz Bugti**, **Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai**, Provincial Ministers **Raheela Hamid Durrani**, **Mir Saleem Ahmed Khoso**, **Nawab Sanaullah Zehri**, **Leader of the Opposition** **Mir Younis Aziz Zehri**, **MPA Asghar Ali Tareen**, **Mir Zabad Ali Reki**, and others who congratulated Mir Ali Hassan Zehri.

**Issues Raised in the Assembly:**
During the session, **Mir Zabad Ali Reki** raised a point of order regarding a protest outside the assembly related to the recruitment of teachers under the **Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University**. **Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hamid Durrani** responded, explaining that the education department had faced various challenges in this regard, but efforts were being made to resolve the issues quickly. She noted that results from **23 out of 37 districts** had been received and that there was a provision for objections. She also emphasized that, due to high absenteeism, appointments were being made on a **contractual basis**.

Durrani further assured that the government was committed to providing employment and was addressing issues such as **SKB** (Social and Knowledge-Based) committees and delays in results. The Chief Minister also reassured the house that recruitment would be carried out according to policy and once all results were received, proper appointments would be made.

**Discussion on Public Issues and Security:**
In his address, **Former Chief Minister and MPA Nawab Sanaullah Zehri** emphasized the need for the **Chief Minister** to focus on peace and security in the province. He pointed out that **bribery** at **checkposts** was a serious issue and that **parliamentary politics** had lost public trust. He stressed that **local people** should have the first right to jobs in **Hub Industrial Zone**, which is progressing on the path of development.

In response, **Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti** explained that the checkposts had been established for security reasons in light of ongoing **terrorism** threats. He assured that the security personnel stationed at these posts would be directed not to harass the public. Bugti also committed to discussing the issue of checkposts with the **corps commander**.

**Legislative Matters and Reports:**
The session also featured discussions on several **bills**:

1. **Ghulam Dostgir Badini**, MPA, presented a report on the **Balochistan Employees Social Security Institution (Amendment) Bill, 2024**. The bill was passed by the assembly after being recommended by the relevant standing committee.

2. **Parliamentary Secretary for Law**, **Nawabzada Zareen Magsi**, presented the **Balochistan Dispute Resolution (Amendment) Bill, 2024**, which was referred to the relevant committee for further review.

3. **Provincial Minister for Revenue**, **Mir Asim Kurd Gelo**, introduced the **Balochistan Tax on Inland and Agricultural Income (Amendment) Bill, 2024**, which was also referred to the standing committee for detailed scrutiny.

The session concluded with the decision to adjourn the assembly until **December 27**, 2024.

**Key Points:**
– **Mir Ali Hassan Zehri** took the oath as MPA.
– Issues related to **teacher recruitment** and **contractual appointments** discussed.
– Concerns raised regarding **security checkposts** and **bribery**.
– Legislative amendments passed on **social security**, **dispute resolution**, and **taxation**.
– The next assembly session will be held on **December 27**.