Qaseem Shah:
Quetta, September 1, 2025 – Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti met UNICEF’s Country Representative in Pakistan, Pernille Ironside, at the Chief Minister’s House in Quetta on Monday. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration in polio eradication, routine immunization, education, and public health.
During the discussion, both sides agreed that effective coordination and integrated strategies are essential to ensure long-term public welfare. UNICEF also offered specialized training programs to enhance the technical capacity of Balochistan’s health department staff.
Chief Minister Bugti highlighted the provincial government’s ongoing reforms in health and education. He said that extraordinary resources have been allocated to strengthen the primary healthcare system, improve routine immunization campaigns, and accelerate the fight against polio.
He noted that the government is rapidly hiring staff on a contract basis to address shortages in the health and education sectors, ensuring that communities at the grassroots level have access to essential services. The Chief Minister added that over the past year, 3,200 previously closed schools have been reopened, while 1,200 new community schools are planned for this year. “By the end of this year, no school in Balochistan will remain closed,” he vowed.
Bugti also shared that the provincial government is closely monitoring potential flood threats in districts bordering Sindh and has finalized precautionary measures to minimize risks to local populations.
On women’s empowerment, he announced the establishment of the province’s first Women Economic Empowerment Endowment Fund, which aims to promote female participation in the economy and foster self-reliance among women.
The Chief Minister appreciated UNICEF’s ongoing support in health, education, and child welfare, emphasizing that international partnerships are making development projects in Balochistan more sustainable and impactful.
UNICEF Country Representative Pernille Ironside reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to working with the Balochistan government. She stressed that improving children’s education, health, and protection remains UNICEF’s top priority in the province.
