QUETTA: The opposition in the Balochistan Assembly decided on Monday to launch a series of protests inside and outside the assembly against the provincial government for “deliberately ignoring public issues”.

Addressing a press conference, Opposition Leader Malik Sikandar, Asalm Rai­sani, Malik Naseer Shah­wani, Nasrullay Zee­ray, Asg­har Khan Tareen, Ahm­ed Nawaz Baloch, Abdul Wahid Siddiqui and Akhtar Hussain Langove accused the provincial government of ignoring opposition parties in the provincial affairs.

They said despite holding cabinet meetings for 12 hours the government has failed to address public issues and accused treasury members of interfering in the constituencies of opposition legislators.

“In the last nine assembly sessions, the opposition parties tabled public-friendly suggestions, but despite passage of six months the government did not start progress on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).”

Demands probe into ‘illegal’ appointments

Opposition Leader Malik Sikandar warned that it would be harmful for the people of Balochistan if PSDP funds lapsed.

“Whenever we asked about the PSDP the treasury benches distracted us by saying that the issue is in court.”

He said despite the government’s tall claims of development in education, health and water sectors, the masses were still forced to walk miles in search of clean drinking water,

“We have tabled a resolution regarding water issues in district Bhaag, but the government didn’t take it as a serious issue.”

Malik Sikandar dema­nd­ed an inquiry into illegal appointments made by the previous government in education and health departments.

In reply to a question regarding any attempt to move a no-confidence mot­ion in assembly against Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, the opposition leader said it would be done keeping in view the circumstances.

Former chief minister Aslam Raisani criticised the federal government for not proceeding smoothly.

“We have been demanding that the democratically elected people should be allowed to run the government because two parallel governments can’t be run simultaneously in the country,” he said.

Mr Raisani said the government should be questioned for its wrongdoings and “I am ready to answer what I had done as a chief minister of Balochistan from 2008 to 2013”.

He said the ruling party had been appointing its defeated candidates on top positions.

He said the federal government had been exploiting the rights of small provinces, but now political leadership and masses of Punjab were being suppressed by the establishment.

“People of Punjab need to stand up against suppression on their basic rights,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2019