Syed Muhammad Qaseem, Asmat Hanafi:
Quetta/Pishin, August 14 – Balochistan celebrated Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day with flag hoisting ceremonies across the province, including a major event at the Balochistan Assembly premises in Quetta. Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq were among the dignitaries who participated in the ceremony, which was attended by other high-level officials.
Following the ceremony, Chief Minister Bugti traveled to Pishin district, where he addressed a gathering organized in connection with Independence Day celebrations. In his speech, the Chief Minister lauded the people of Pishin for their unwavering loyalty to Pakistan, noting that the elders of the district have always stood by Quaid-e-Azam and the nation.
During the visit, Chief Minister Bugti made several significant announcements aimed at improving the quality of life in Pishin. He revealed plans for the construction of a 50-bed hospital to enhance healthcare services in the district. Additionally, a Rescue 1122 center will be established on the Pishin highway to provide emergency response services.
Education was also a key focus of the Chief Minister’s address. He announced the upgrading of a middle school to a high school and expressed his intention to consider the construction of a Balochistan University campus in Pishin. Emphasizing the importance of education, Bugti stated that teachers must fulfill their duties and cannot be allowed to stay home while drawing government salaries. To address this issue, a committee headed by Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Noshirwani will be formed to review and resolve related matters.
The Chief Minister also announced a significant increase in the grant for local councils, doubling the amount from Rs. 16 crores to Rs. 32 crores. He invited local council members and district chairmen from across the province to Quetta to discuss ways to improve governance. Additionally, Bugti announced a grant of Rs. 10 crores specifically for the Pishin Local Council.
The visit concluded with a distribution of tablets to students, as well as the Chief Minister being presented with a traditional Pashtun turban. Assembly members from Pishin, including Asfandiar Khan Kakar, Syed Zafar Ali Agha, and Asghar Khan Tareen, expressed their gratitude for the Chief Minister’s visit and welcomed the public welfare projects announced for the district.
