QUETTA, Aug 11: Balochistan Minister for Social Welfare Nasreen Khetran has said that a total of 148 population welfare centres are functioning in the province. Replying to a question, raised by opposition MPA Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal during question hour of the provincial assembly on Saturday, she said of these centres, 15 were located in the provincial capital, nine in Pishin, two each in Noshki and Kohlu, four each in Chaghi, Kharan and Nasirabad, 10 in Sibi, five each in Bolan, Killa Abdullah, Ziarat, Jaffarabad, Kalat, Killa Saifullah, Panjgur and Mastung, seven in Musakheil, 12 in Barkhan, six each in Zhob Turbat, one in Washuk and three each in Gwadar, Awaran, Dera Bugti and Jhal Magsi districts.

She said that 10 population centres had been opened during the 2005-6 year.

Questions about the provincial social welfare, revenue and home departments were deferred to the next session due to absence of the ministers concerned.

MPA Samina Saeed regretted that no treasury MPA had so far visited the women observing a hunger strike outside the Quetta press club for many days in protest against alleged missing of their relatives. Provincial minister Abdul Rehman Jamali suggested her to visit the women camp along with another member of the house to ascertain their problems.—APP