Staff Reporter:
QUETTA: The Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) has strongly rejected the Balochistan government’s budget for the fiscal year 2026–27, describing it as a “cruel joke” on the province’s long-suffering people.
In a statement issued by the party’s central leadership, HDP said the provincial government, which it claimed survives on federal royalty support, has failed to present a budget capable of addressing the province’s longstanding challenges. The party alleged that despite Balochistan’s vast coastline and abundant natural resources, the government is pushing the province backwards instead of towards modern development.
The statement maintained that the budget contains no meaningful relief for the poor and fails to address the basic needs of ordinary citizens.
Expressing concern over the situation in Quetta, the party leaders criticized the provincial administration, alleging that those imposed through “Form 47” have little interest in the city’s welfare or the hardships faced by its residents. They claimed this was reflected in the government’s Rs106 billion Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), which, according to the party, does not include any significant development project for the provincial capital.
HDP further stated that despite living in the modern era, the people of Quetta continue to face severe shortages in education, healthcare, clean drinking water, essential municipal services, and employment opportunities.
The party also criticized the allocation of development funds to certain members representing Quetta, alleging that funds earmarked for projects such as the installation of interlocking paving tiles would ultimately be lost to corruption and misuse. According to the statement, these allocations are intended to reward what it described as “purchased seats” rather than serve the public interest.
