18th Amendment historic, consensus document: Dr. Malik Baloch
Staff Reporter:
QUETTA: Chief of National Party (NP) and former Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr. Malik Baloch has termed the 18th amendment a historic and consensus document. “This amendment guarantees the rights of smaller provinces”, he told a seminar organized by UNREATH, a non-governmental organization at Quetta Press Club on Saturday.
Leaders of various political parties, senior bureaucrats, journalists, students, and members of civil society participated in the seminar. Key speakers spoke at length about the 18th amendment, the national finance commission award, and the socio-economic condition of Balochistan during the seminar. Abdul Mateen Akhudzada, the former provincial amir Jamaat e Islami (JI) conducted the seminar.
“Despite all odds, the political leadership adopted 18th amendment”, Dr. Malik Baloch said. He however lamented that successive governments failed to improve social sectors in Balochistan. “We failed to make sure the presence of teachers and doctors in schools and hospitals”, Dr. Baloch stated.
Speaking on the occasion, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, the Jamiat ul Ulema e Islam (F) idealogue lashed out at Islamabad for what he called usurping the rights of Balochistan. The province has been ignored, lamented.
He said when Balochistan’s share in NFC doubled, the currency notes came of water tanks, referring to the mega corruption scandal.
Sanaullah Baloch of the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) stated a political uprising ensured adopting the 18th amendment. He said people of Balochistan shed blood to pass the constitutional amendment. Mr. Baloch painted a bleak picture of health and education sectors in the province. “It is irony of fate that 82 percent PSDP being spent on construction of roads”, Mr. Baloch claimed.
Finance Secretary Balochistan, Noor ul Haq Baloch said the total volume of the province’s budget was less than Rs. 50 billion before consensus about NFC award.
