QUETTA, Nov. 16: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf has urged members of parliament, women, ulema and NGOs to jointly strive for the development of the province, irrespective of their political affiliations and extend support to encourage institutions working in the field of reproductive health.

He was speaking at the concluding session of a three-day seminar on “reproductive health” organized by the Balochistan Foundation for Development for legislators. Members of the provincial assembly Shafiq Ahmed Khan, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, Mir Jan Mohammad Buledi and Mrs Samina Saeed and president of the BFD Dr Ruquiya Saeed Hashmi also spoke on the occasion.

The chief minister said that the world should be informed that these institutions and the government were working to provide relief to the people of the province who wanted speedy development.

He said that the provincial government was extending all possible help and cooperation for solving problems related to reproductive health in Balochistan despite its limited resources.

He lauded the efforts of the Balochistan Foundation for Development for solving the problems of reproductive health being faced by people and assured that his government would extend all possible help and cooperation in this regard.

He said that the provincial government always gave priority to health issues. He said that all institutions and people should jointly work to check the rate of population growth in Balochistan. He said that elected representatives, ulema and NGOs could play a positive role in this regard. He said that all concerned institutions should work in areas where mortality rate was high and the government would help them.

Mrs Samina Saeed rejected the western concept of population control and said that “we should follow Islamic teachings.” She suggested that all members of the assembly should provide funds for areas which faced serious health problems.

She said that doctors should be posted in areas from where they had got their seat in medical colleges.

Mr Shafiq Ahmed Khan said the mortality rate was increasing in various areas of Balochistan due to lack of medical facilities.

He said the government should provide more medical facilities to rural areas.

Mr Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal said that Balochistan should be given more funds for solving health problems in view of the scattered population in the province.

Dr Ruquia Saeed said that legislators should include the problem of women and children in their agenda.