No representation of women, minorities in Balochistan cabinet

Published October 16, 2013
A view of the Balochistan Assembly. — File photo
A view of the Balochistan Assembly. — File photo

QUETTA: The provincial coalition government headed by Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has not inducted any minister from women and minority groups into the 14-member cabinet.

The Balochistan Assembly has 12 women members — 11 on reserved seats and Rahat Bibi Jamali elected on a general seat from Jaffarabad. Three minority MPAs were chosen on reserved seats.

This is the second time in the parliamentary history of Balochistan that women and religious minorities have not been given representation in the cabinet. There was no woman or minority minister in the first elected government of Balochistan headed by Sardar Attaullah Mengal that was formed in 1972.

Women MPAs expressed their reservations over lack of their representation in the cabinet.

They said the National Party was considered to be a strong supporter of women’s rights and their representation in democratic institutions.

The Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and the Muslim League-N have also not nominated any woman or minority MPA as minister.

“It will be an injustice with the women of Balochistan that a man will head the ministry of women development,” a senior woman legislator said.

“At least the woman elected on a general seat after defeating male candidates should have been inducted into the cabinet,” Dr Ruqayya Hashmi of the PML-Q said.

The minority MPAs were also unhappy over having been ignored by the coalition partners.

Opinion

Editorial

First steps
29 May, 2024

First steps

IT is, without doubt, a positive development. The chief minister of KP seems to have reached an arrangement that ...
Rafah inferno
29 May, 2024

Rafah inferno

THE level of barbarity witnessed in Sunday’s Israeli air strike targeting a refugee camp in Rafah is shocking even...
On a whim
29 May, 2024

On a whim

THE sudden declaration of May 28 as a public holiday to observe Youm-i-Takbeer — the anniversary of Pakistan’s...
Afghan puzzle
Updated 28 May, 2024

Afghan puzzle

Unless these elements are neutralised, it will not be possible to have the upper hand over terrorist groups.
Attacking minorities
28 May, 2024

Attacking minorities

Mobs turn into executioners due to the authorities’ helplessness before these elements.
Persistent scourge
28 May, 2024

Persistent scourge

THE challenge of polio in Pakistan has reached a new nadir, drawing grave concerns from the Technical Advisory Group...