QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday discussed the law and order situation and the losses caused by recent torrential rains in the province.

Qadir Nayal presided over the session as Speaker Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo and Deputy Speaker Babar Khan Musakhail were not present in the house.

Initiating the debate, Leader of the Opposition Malik Sikander Khan said heavy losses were reported in the recent rains and snowfall, which rendered thousands of people homeless.

The government has not presented details of the losses caused by rains and snowfall in the assembly so far, he added.

Mr Khan said that some people had been provided relief, but a majority of them were still waiting for their rehabilitation.

Talking about the law and order situation in the province, the opposition leader said that the government had failed to protect the life and property of the people as a few days ago more than 80 shops were robbed in one night in Quetta, while six Levies personnel were gunned down in Sanjavi.

He said the government should take steps to maintain law and order and develop police on modern lines.

Mir Akhtar Hussain Langove of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal criticised the government for not taking the law and order situation seriously as senior officials, including the home secretary and the inspector general of police, were not present in the assembly’s gallery.

He asked the government to constitute a judicial commission to investigate the killings of Levies personnel in Sanjavi.

Nasarullah Zerey of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party criticised the government and said that most of members belonging to the treasury benches were not present in the house to answer opposition’s questions.

The ministers were not taking interest in resolving the problems being faced by the people, he added.

Provincial minister Zamarak Khan Piralizai expressed serious concern over the recent terror attacks that took place in Loralai, Sanjavi and Chaman and said the government was making all-out efforts to fight terrorism.

He said Rs40 million had been released for payment of compensation to the heirs of Levies personnel who were martyred in Sanjavi.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2019