Balochistan: Misuse of official vehicles
Editorial :
Misuse of official vehicles is nothing new in Balochistan like in other parts of the country. Other provinces might be trying to restrict officials not to use vehicles for personal use. In Balochistan, some officers, government ministers/advisers/special assistants/parliamentary secretaries consider themselves above the law.
They use a maximum number of vehicles under their command in offices. It is a common practice, sons, daughters and other close relatives of Sab drive official vehicles with no check and balance.
A recent report in this daily about the missing vehicles in the Communication and Works (C&W) Department exposes the government’s slogan of so-called austerity and good governance.
The report in this daily prompted the Secretary C&W to issue strict letters to the project directors/ chief engineers and executive engineers to return official vehicles. A project director is yet to return 13 vehicles after completion of the project despite repeated notices by the department.
Official vehicles can be easily spotted outside schools and bazaarsÂ
Especially, one can spot official vehicles during school timing. Official vehicles are for official use rather than carrying family members or goods all the time. Since the officials do not pay for the repair of the vehicles, therefore, the drivers can always be seen recklessly driving.
For instance, the C&W Department spent Rs.1 billion from 2010 to 2021 on purchase of vehicles. Nobody knows, what is the condition of these vehicles. A senior official of the department mutely acknowledged that missing vehicle is a longs-standing issue here.
Balochistan is facing serious financial crisis
As always, Balochistan is facing serious financial crisis. The pace of development is slow and living standard of the people is low as compared to other parts of the country as per the Human Development Index (HDI). Poverty and unemployment ratio continues to increase.
Despite this all, there is misuse of official vehicles. This is unacceptable. Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan has to take notice of grim state of affairs and translate his words of good governance into action. Action speaks louder than words.
