QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet in a marathon session on Monday discussed a 21-point agenda and took several decisions on important matters, including release of Rs182 billion to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for road and dam projects as well as holding of local government elections on party basis without the use of electronic voting machines.

It was the first cabinet meeting since the assumption of office by Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudus Bizenjo last month.

The cabinet approved the establishment of new subdivisions and tehsils in different parts of the province.

While briefing the media about cabinet decisions after the meeting, Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi and Minister for Commu­nications and Works Sardar Abdul Rehman Kheteran said the cabinet discussed the local bodies election in detail.

Cabinet decides to hold local govt polls on party basis without EVM use; gives approval to create new subdivisions, tehsils

Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Social Welfare Bushra Rind was present at the presser.

Mr Buledi said the cabinet decided to hold local government elections in the province soon. However, it noted that since 70 per cent of Balochistan had no power supply, it would not be possible to use electronic voting machines for the election.

While discussing the implementation of the development package, the cabinet decided to release Rs182bn to the FWO for the execution of various projects, which included construction of various roads and dams in Awaran and Panjgur districts.

He said five main roads would be built by the FWO in the province.

The cabinet approved an amendment to the Balochistan Public Procurement Act 2009 under which an electronic system would be utilised for the bidding process, he added.

The cabinet approved Balochistan Letter of Administration and Succession Bill 2021, allowing Nadra to issue a succession certificate in case of death of any person, he said.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2021