QUETTA, Aug 22: Opposition members on Tuesday lodged a strong protest in the Balochistan Assembly against a cabinet decision about appointments in the education department to be made by the department itself, and not through the Public Service Commission.

They alleged that the chief minister, senior minister and the finance minister would appoint their favourite people.

The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani.

Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf, Education Minister Maulana Abdul Wahid Siddique and Finance Minister Ehsan Shah tried to defuse the situation by assuring the members that appointments would be made in a transparent way.