QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet on Friday approved several major governance and public welfare initiatives.

The decisions, including the launch of e-bikes subsidy scheme, a comprehensive health insurance programme for government emp­loyees, and the expansion of an enterprise development initiative to underdeveloped districts, were taken at the 21st meeting of the provincial cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.

At the outset of the meeting, the cabinet expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for initiating key communication and education projects in Balochistan, describing federal support as critical to the province’s socio-economic development.

The cabinet approved the launch of e-bikes scheme to provide affordable and environmentally friendly transportation. Under the scheme, students, working women and government employees will receive e-bikes with a 30 per cent government subsidy, while citizens will also be eligible to obtain e-bikes on installments. The cabinet decided that the scheme would be implemented through bank financing to ensure wider access and financial sustainability.

The cabinet was informed that 250,000 government employees currently incur annual medical expenses of Rs6bn to Rs7bn. In response, the cabinet approved a comprehensive health insurance scheme for government employees. The cabinet also approved the audit of advance medical payments and the Public Endowment Fund.

Enterprise uplift plan extended to Gwadar, Kech and Awaran

Besides, the extension of Enterprises Development Progr­amme to Gwadar, Kech and Awaran was also approved.

Reaffirming its commitment to good governance, the cabinet agreed on ensuring merit-based appointments across provincial departments, emphasising that meritocracy remains a cornerstone of institutional reform.

Addressing the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti thanked the prime minister for his cooperation in launching communication and education projects in Balochistan. He said the electric bike initiative would be available on easy instalments for people from all walks of life.

CM Bugti stressed that resources generated through public taxation are a trust of the people and must be utilised fairly and transparently. “It is unjust that the common and poor people of Balochistan face hardships while a large share of resources is spent on a privileged few,” he said.

He announced the government was introducing a comprehensive health insurance scheme for provincial employees and said the expanded Enterprises Deve­lopment Prog­ramme would help guide more of Balochistan’s youth towards economic stability.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2026