QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly session on Tuesday erupted into chaos as opposition members criticised the provincial government and staged a sit-in over the deteriorating security situation while a minister reminded a Jamaat-i-Islami’s firebrand leader that it was not a public gathering but the august house.

Speaking on the law and order and kidnapping of a young student, JI lawmaker Maulana Hidayatur Rehman criticised the cabinet for its inefficiency, stating that despite spending billions on security, abductions and other such incidents did not stop.

He also blamed security forces for prioritising secondary tasks like Customs checks over what he said was their “core responsibility” of maintaining law and order.

Minister for Irrigation Mir Sadiq Umrani, however, stood up and told Mr Rehman that he was standing in the assembly and not in a “public meeting in Gwadar where you always speak against the security forces who are part of the government.”

He said that security personnel were sacrificing their lives for the protection of the people. He blamed the JI for pursuing a similar approach when the situation worsened before the Dhaka tragedy.

Taking the floor, Mr Rehman said, “In your presence, there is no need for terrorists.”

As both sides exchanged allegations, Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai intervened and called for decorum to be maintained.

Leader of the Opposition Mir Younas Aziz Zehri then suggested that the agenda be deferred to discuss the pressing security concerns.

National Party’s Mir Rehmat Saleh Baloch accused the government of being incapable of ensuring peace, citing the killing of a party worker in Bhag and unrest in Quetta, Kalat, Panjgur and Duki.

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Protesting the government’s inaction, opposition members staged a sit-in in the assembly.

The chair then proposed dedicating a day for a detailed discussion on security, with the chief minister, chief secretary, and police chief being present in the house.

NP leader Dr Abdul Malik Baloch highlighted the need for police reforms to curb crimes like kidnapping for ransom.

ANP’s Zamrak Khan Achakzai emphasised that the student’s abduction was a tragedy not just for his family but for the entire Balochistan.

PML-N’s parliamentary leader Mir Saleem Khosa, who is also minister for communication, assured the house that efforts to recover the abducted child were underway.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2024