Challenges for new CM Balochistan Quddus Bizenjo
Editorial :
Political uncertainty came to an end after coalition partners and opposition parties developed consensus over the nomination of Abdul Quddus Bizenjo as the leader of the house in the Balochistan Assembly. The official activities came to standstill a month ago when serious differences surfaced within the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).
The BAP angry ministers, advisers, and parliamentary secretaries abandoned official activities in protest against the former chief minister, Jam Kamal Khan Alyani. The deadlock severely affected development projects, the process of tests and interviews for jobs, and the transfer and postings of officials.
As Quddus Bizenjo is all set to take oath as the 17th CM of Balochistan, which is facing a host of issues. The finance department has meager resources to fund ongoing development projects in Balochistan. Out of 172 billion rupees’ public sector development program (PSDP), the province has spent Rs.40bs and currently possesses Rs.40bs for the remaining financial year. The issue with Balochistan is meager resources that too are poorly managed and spent.
Balochistan has only Rs.40bs to fund PSDP projects
As always, the deficit was high in the financial budget for the year 2021-22. Only a strict financial discipline can ensure the completion of development projects. The province is currently funds-starved as non-development expenditures continue to increase and the province has no better mechanism to generate its own resources.
Law and order is going to be one of the key challenges for Mr. Bizenjo and his cabinet members. The province is plagued by bomb explosions, targeted killings, and kidnappings during the last more than two decades. The new government needs to find a political solution to issues relating to Balochistan and avoid using force.
Successive governments have failed to enroll more than 1.5 million out-of-school children in Balochistan. Despite the allocation of more than Rs. 75 bs, the government has not been able to improve the quality of education and bring out of school children into schools. This is one of the challenges for the new CM.
Government-run hospitals in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan paint a bleak picture. Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan has been observing a boycott of OPDs for last more than a month. So far, no negotiations with the YDA and the government to bring an end to the suffering of the patients.
Balochistan prone to all-natural disasters
Balochistan is prone to all-natural disasters including earthquakes, drought, floods, etc. The new government should evolve a strategy to ensure the construction of delay and check dams in Balochistan to maintain the depleting water table. Harnai has been hit hard by the recent earthquake, the political uncertainty overshadowed the sufferings of earthquake survivors. The government should take all possible steps to rehabilitate the displaced people.
The government should establish of task-force comprising experts to prepare recommendations regarding the impacts of climate change and the strategy to mitigate the impact of global warming.
The Bizenjo led government should translate its words into action and give practical relief to the masses of Balochistan.
