Balochistan Assembly passes resolutions on CDWP, human rights

QUETTA: Members of the Balochistan Assembly passed two resolutions unanimously on Monday related to the Capital Development Working Party (CDWP) and human rights funds issues respectively.

The assembly sitting started with Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhootani in the chair. Provincial ministers Aslam Bezinjo, Abdur Rehman Mengal, Hamal Kalamati, Zahoor Buledi and Shah Nawaz Marri moved a resolution which stated that the agenda of the meeting of the CDWP held in Islamabad on November 3, 2010 did not include development schemes for Balochistan. To protest it, Chief Minister Aslam Raisani asked the Balochistan finance minister and other officials not to attend the CDWP meeting.

Later, a parliamentary delegation of Balochistan lawmakers, headed by Raisani, called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and apprised him of their reservations on the issue.

The prime minister promised the delegation that the next meeting of the CDWP will be arranged in Quetta in December, which will include uplift schemes for Balochistan. The resolution recommended the provincial government to approach the federal government, reminding it to fulfill the promise of the PM of holding the CDWP meeting.

On the resolution, MPA Jaffar George said CDWP had deferred development schemes 2008-09 for Balochistan on the pretext that these would be adjusted in the 7th NFC Award. He said these schemes should be provided sanctioned funds instead from the NFC Award. Minister for Social Welfare alleged that Islamabad never responded to resolutions passed by the Balochistan Assembly. He urged Raisani to adopt a stern stance in this regard.

Finance Minister Asim Kurd Gailo recalled that in a meeting with Prime Minister Gilani, the Balochistan delegation headed by Raisani had requested him that relevant ministries should ensure that funds allocated for development schemes for Balochistan should be adjusted in next year schemes and they should not lapse. The speaker put the resolution to the house that passed it unanimously.

Meanwhile, Minister for Human Rights Basant Lal Gulshan tabled a resolution which stated that the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan empowered parliament to legislate the establishment of the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Fund for Human Rights.

The resolution recommended the provincial government to approach the federal government to ensure legislation in this regard so that projects could be initiated with the Rs10 million funds. The MPAs did not debate on the resolution, however, it was put to lawmakers, who adopted it unanimously.

Speaking on a point of order, Minister for Revenue Zamarak Khan and Tariq Hussain Bugti said the new generation is suffering as the Nadra and district administration are putting hindrances in the issuance of National Computerised Identity Cards (CNICís) and local certificates to them.


(2010-12-14/thenews.com)