QUETTA: Opposition in the Balochistan Assembly on Saturday demanded proper implementation of the Balochistan High Court’s judgement on the provincial Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

“Unfortunately, 80 per cent development schemes included in the PSDP are totally opposed to the Balochistan High Court’s judgement. The schemes should have been prepared under Article 38 of the Constitution,” said Sana Baloch, parliamentary leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), during the assembly session presided over by Deputy Speaker Sardar Babar Musakhail.

Criticising flawed policies of the previous government, Mr Baloch said as a majority of schemes included in the PSDP were illegal and harmful to the national treasury, new schemes must be included in the programme following the BHC judgement.

Responding to the opposition’s reservations, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Aliyani said the BHC had pointed out corrupt practices in around 1,500 schemes and subsequently his government directed the relevant authorities to review annual PSDP in the light of the court directive.

“A report presented during the last cabinet meeting revealed that many development schemes from the PSDP were cancelled after completion of 70 to 80pc work. A final report on the subject will be presented during the next cabinet meeting on Sept 26,” he said.

Opposition member from the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) Malik Sikandar said a committee comprising government and opposition members should be set up to review the PSDP citing the petition pending before the high court. “The opposition parties will support positive steps of the provincial government because all members of the house want Balochistan’s development,” he added.

Balochistan Minister for Information Technology Abdul Rehman Kethran held the previous provincial government responsible for all problems related to the PSDP. He also praised police, Frontier Corps, Levies and Pak istan Army for maintaining peace during Muharram across the province.

An adjournment motion tabled by opposition member Nasrullah Zeray over the recent killing of Levies personnel in Qilla Saifullah was unanimously approved for debate. Home Minister Saleem Khosa informed the house that investigation into the targeted killings of Levies personnel was under way.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2018