QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo has announced the boycott of the federal budget session in Islamabad on Friday.

“Balochistan Awami Party’s MNAs and senators will not participate in the budget session of the National Assembly,” he said in a statement issued here on Thursday.

The CM, who was also BAP president, said clear instructions had been issued to National Assembly members and senators belonging to his party to not attend the budget session in protest, adding that strict disciplinary action would be taken against the lawmakers violating the party policy on the matter.

He said the boycott of the budget session was due to the federal government’s ignorant attitude towards Balochistan which was also the reason for not attending the National Economic Council meeting on Tuesday.

“Balochistan is facing severe financial problems. The fundamental reason behind these issues is the lack of cooperation and ignoring suggestions and development projects of the province. We have no personal grudges against the federal government; the differences are based on principles,” Mr Bizenjo said.

He added that despite plea and reminders, constitutional rights of the province were not being granted.

“The federal government makes promises and gives assurances to resolve issues of the province, but noting was delivered by Islamabad, despite the fact that our demands are based on constitutional grounds; we are not making any illegitimate demands.”

He said that the projects of Balochistan included in the federal PSDP were incomplete as the funds were not being released for them. He said national highways of Baloch­istan were badly damaged by last year’s floods, but the National Highway Authority did nothing for thier reconstruction and repair.

He said the share of Balochistan from the NFC Award was not given to the provincial government, and it has also been reduced.

“We stand firm on our legitimate demands and constitutional position,” he said, urging Asif Ali Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal as well as provincial leaders to strengthen the stand of the provincial government.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2023