Balochistan budget debate: Call for improving govt schools

Published June 25, 2013
A view of the Balochistan Assembly.—File Photo
A view of the Balochistan Assembly.—File Photo

QUETTA: Members of the Balochistan Assembly from treasury benches said on Monday that huge funds allocated in the provincial budget for health and education sectors would bring improvement in people’s lives.

During the session presided over by speaker Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali, opposition members emphasised that their suggestions should not be ignored in identifying development schemes.

From treasury benches Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai, William Barkat, Spozmi, Nasrullah Zeray, Sardar Ghulam Mustafa Tareen, Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, Masuma Hayat, Samina Khan, Khalid Lango, Handey Maseih, Azeem Buledi and Yasmeen Lehri took part in the debate.

They said 300 primary schools would be established in the province and Rs5 billion had been allocated for scholarships to be provided to students.

They stressed the need for improving the condition of government schools and asked the government to take notice of the absence of schoolteachers from their duties.

The legislators said allocation for the health sector was aimed to improve health facilities in public sector hospitals. They expressed concern over the condition of hospitals in rural areas, saying the government should take action against doctors who frequently remain absent.

They said the issue of missing persons and targeted killings of political activists needed urgent attention of the government. They pointed to the establishment of checkposts by private militia on the Quetta-Chaman road.

The legislators also asked the government to solve the problem of drinking water shortage in Quetta.

Opposition members Zamarak Khan Piralizai, Mufti Gulab Shah and Maulana Mahazullah Musakhel cautioned the government against non-allocation of funds for ongoing development projects.

They criticised the government for not identifying projects in the public sector development programme.

The session was adjourned till Tuesday.

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