QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly unanimously passed on Friday three resolutions calling for switching of electricity-run tube-wells to solar energy, seeking jobs for Balochistan’s youths in federal departments and demanding action against people involved in the sale of sub-standard soft drinks.

The house, presided over by Dr Ruqayya Saeed Hashmi, also unanimously adopted four bills on private educational institutions, kidney disease, thalassaemia and industrial relations.

One of the resolutions was moved by Nasrullah Khan Zeeray of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP). He pointed out that federal government in its budget had allocated funds for the shifting of 10,000 agricultural tube-wells to solar energy and urged the provincial government to approach the centre for providing funds to the province for switching its 5,000 tube-wells to solar energy.

The mover said farmers in the province would get rid of prolonged loadshedding if their tube-wells were switched to solar energy.

He said farmers in Sindh and Punjab received water from the canal system, but in Balochistan they had to depend mostly on tube-wells.

The other resolution was tabled by Syed Liaquat Ali Agha, also of the PkMAP. It said a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee held in Quetta on Sept 4 had revealed that 3,000 to 4,000 jobs of Balochistan’s quota were lying vacant in electricity supply companies of Wapda.

The resolution reads: “This house recommends the provincial government to approach the federal government for recruitment of youth of Balochistan against these vacant posts”.

The resolution moved by Husan Bano Rakhshani of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam

(JUI-F) called for action against people involved in the business of sub-standard soft drink.

Minister for Planning and Development Dr Hamid Achakzai tabled the Development and Rules and Regulations of Private Educational Institutions Bill, 2015.

Shahida Rauf of JUI-F raised objection on the bill, saying that it should first be presented before the Standing Committee on Education. Protesting over the bill, the JUI-F members staged a walkout.

The chair put the bill before the house which adopted it unanimously.

Health Minister Mir Rehmat Saleh Baloch tabled two bills — Centre for Treatment of Kidney Diseases and Prevention of thalassaemia in Balochistan.

The house unanimously adopted the bills.

Adviser to Chief Minister on Labour and Manpower Haji Mohammad Khan Lehri tabled the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill, 2015, which was unanimously adopted.

The house was adjourned till Oct 12.

Published in Dawn, October 10th , 2015

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