QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet has approved the province’s first-ever transgender policy and a series of other major reforms, including a minority endowment fund, a provincial aviation development plan and new measures in health, governance and social welfare.

The cabinet’s 19th meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, endorsed some previous decisions, reviewed implementation progress and introduced fresh initiatives aimed at inclusion, welfare and sustainable development.

In a landmark move, the cabinet adopted Balochistan’s first-ever transgender policy to safeguard rights and ensure social and economic inclusion of the transgender community. An Endowment Fund for Minority Welfare was also approved to provide equal opportunities and facilities for minority groups.

The meeting adopted a Prov­in­cial Avia­tion Strategy and a three-year Aviation De­­ve­lopment Plan (2025-27) to modernise air travel infrastructure. Members commen­ded the aviation directorate for its recent emergency air rescue that airlifted three injured persons from Turbat to Karachi.

Other decisions included granting teh­sil status to Sakran and Karbala, endorsing two bills — the Law of Evidence Ame­n­d­m­ent Bill and the Constitutional Ame­n­­d­ment Bill 2024 — and, on the recommendation of the Home Department, appr­­ov­ing a ban on the publication of hate material.

The cabinet also approved the integration of Technical Educ­a­tion and Vocational Training Ins­titutes under BTEVTA and sanctioned the establishment of the Prince Fahd Hospital in Dalban­din to provide quality healthcare.

It endorsed the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2025 and restored the original names of Khaliqabad and Shaheed Sikan­darabad districts in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling.

Humanitarian exemptions were granted to World Food Programme consignments bound for Afghanistan, while the Social Welfare Department’s campaign to clear drug addicts from Sari Nala was acknowledged. A committee was formed to propose further measures.

Key agenda points from departments, including Livest­o­­ck and Dairy Development, Local Government, Law, Forest, Board of Revenue, Science and IT, Mines and Minerals, Higher Education, Social Welfare, and Communication and Works, were also reviewed.

CM Bugti said the cabinet’s decisions reflected the government’s commitment to good governance, public welfare and the inclusion of all communities, particularly minorities, women and transgender people.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2025