QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly has passed four resolutions condemning the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, vandalism of Pakistan’s consulate in Germany, and the desecration of national flag.

The resolutions adopted on Thursday late night also called for the construction of a dam in Washuk, as well as relocation of the trauma centre outside Quetta.

One of the resolutions, moved by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) lawmaker Shahida Rauf on behalf of various MPAs including Mir Younus Aziz Zehri, Asghar Ali Tareen and Mir Zabid Ali Reki, strongly condemned the assassination of “the great leader of the Palestinian liberation movement and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh”.

The lawmakers said the martyred Hamas leader had dedicated his life to advocating for the rights and freedom of the oppressed Palestinian people and highlighted the Palestinian issue on the international stage while exposing Israel’s aggressive actions.

The members paid tribute to his selfless services to the Palestinian people and expressed heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family and the Palestinian people.

Another resolution, tabled by BAP lawmaker Farah Azim Shah and adopted unanimously, condemned the desecration of the Pakistani flag and vandalising of the consulate in Germany.

Ms Shah said it was a planned attack by a few miscreants, stressing that flags are symbols of a country’s identity and must be respected by everyone. This shameful act has hurt Pakistanis worldwide, she added.

She said the assembly not only strongly condemns this incident but also urges the federal government to contact the German government immediately to ensure that the perpetrators are promptly arrested and given punishment to prevent such incidents in future.

Mir Asim Kurd Gelo, Haji Ali Madad Jatak, Syed Zafar Agha, Meena Majid, Hadiya Nawaz and other lawmakers said Pakistan’s integrity is dear to all of them, and such incidents are unacceptable. The German government and embassy should ensure the protection of Pakistanis and take measures to prevent such events, they demanded.

The resolution presented by JUI-F’s Zabid Ali Reki called for constructing a dam in Washuk district. He said that due to the declining underground water levels, there is a water shortage in almost all districts of Balochistan. Most districts, especially Washuk, lack sufficient dams, leading to water wastage.

Therefore, the assembly recommends that the provincial government approach the federal government to take practical steps for constructing the Tangi Zorati dam in Washuk to boost agriculture in the district.

The resolution moved by National Party’s Mir Rahmat Saleh Baloch sought relocation and expansion of the trauma centre outside Quetta city. He explained that the trauma centre, located inside the Civil Hospital, provides emergency medical care to patients from across the province. Since Quetta experiences heavy traffic, patients coming from remote areas face significant difficulties in reaching the trauma centre.

Considering these difficulties, the resolution recommended that the provincial government take immediate steps to relocate the trauma centre outside Quetta and expand it to a 200-bed provincial trauma centre.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2024