Senate seeks verified details of Balochistan’s Rs348 billion development programme

A Senate subcommittee has raised questions about the implementation of Balochistan’s Rs348 billion development programme demanding verified financial records updated project reports and details of employment opportunities promised under the Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan Package.

ISLAMABAD: A Senate subcommittee has raised questions about the implementation of Balochistan’s Rs348 billion development programme demanding verified financial records updated project reports and details of employment opportunities promised under the Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan Package.

During a meeting at Parliament Lodges in Islamabad the Senate Subcommittee on Problems of Less Developed Areas expressed concern over inconsistencies and gaps in information provided by officials from the Establishment Division and Planning Division. Senator Jan Muhammad chaired the meeting which was also attended by Senators Dinesh Kumar and Syed Kazim Ali Shah.

Senator Dinesh Kumar called for accurate information on approved development schemes including their responsible departments allocated budgets released funds expenditure and completed work. He pointed out that some projects appeared in official records but their actual progress remained uncertain.

The committee directed relevant authorities to submit comprehensive reports covering the total cost of individual schemes financial allocations and spending to date. It also expressed concern about reports being submitted shortly before meetings, leaving members insufficient time to review them. Departments were instructed to provide documents at least 48 hours before the next session.

Employment commitments under the Balochistan package were another major concern. The committee requested a complete record of the 5,000 promised jobs including recruitment measures, filled vacancies and the current status of the initiative.

Members also discussed teachers holding master’s and PhD degrees who remain employed on contracts despite serving in Grades 14, 15 and 16. The committee raised questions about measures to provide these educators with permanent employment and greater job security.

Fisheries initiatives, road construction, dams and other infrastructure schemes also came under review. Senators sought details of their operational status, progress and the use of allocated funds.

Senator Jan Muhammad described the Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan Package as an important initiative intended to promote development protect citizens’ rights and address longstanding concerns in the province. He noted that implementation gaps had limited its intended benefits.

The meeting also covered professional training and capacity-building opportunities for Balochistan’s officers including civil service training, examination opportunities and age-limit relaxations.

The committee directed all relevant departments to submit complete and verifiable information at the next meeting to help assess progress and identify areas requiring improvement.