QUETTA: The newly appointed governor of Balochistan, Malik Abdul Wali Kakar, took the oath of his office on Sunday, two days after his appointment was approved by President Arif Alvi on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The chief justice of the Balochistan High Court Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan administered the oath to Mr Kakar as 23rd governor of the province at a simple but impressive ceremony held at the lawns of Governor House.

Besides provincial ministers and Chief Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili, high court judges, prominent tribal elders, vice chancellors of public sector universities and a large number of social and political workers attended the oath-taking ceremony.

On the occasion, Mr Kakar, who is also senior vice president of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal, pledged he would bridge a gulf between the federation and the province to resolve the issues being faced by people from different backgrounds.

He said the gulf between the centre and Balochistan was a major hurdle in the way of resolving the issues in the province and he would play his role in reducing the gap. He said concerted efforts were needed to end the sense of deprivation prevailing among the masses.

“I am a political person and my door would remain open for every citizen of the province,” he said, adding that his efforts would be to reduce the difficulties facing the people. He said he would be the governor of all nationalities, living in the province, as every individual was respectable to him.

Talking about his priorities, Mr Kakar said no society could progress without education. He said education and health sectors would be his top priority. “Till the time I have this responsibility, I will work for providing education, health and other basic facilities to the people of the province,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2023