Qaseem Shah:
QUETTA – The Government of Balochistan is fully prepared to hold the upcoming local body elections upon the completion of the current term in February 2027, with no delays or excuses, Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti announced on Monday.
Speaking at the launch of the Municipal Services Initiative 2026 at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) headquarters, Chief Minister Bugti reaffirmed his government’s commitment to empowering local governance and modernizing municipal infrastructure across the province.
Modernizing Municipal Services Across Balochistan
Under the first phase of the initiative, municipal committees across Balochistan are receiving heavy machinery and sanitation equipment to overhaul waste management and drainage systems. The second phase will expand these services to union councils, small towns, and rural areas.
”Balochistan is currently the only province in Pakistan with an active local governance system in place,” Bugti noted. “Local government is the closest tier of administration to the public. Strengthening it directly elevates the quality of governance.”
Addressing the reliance on limited human resources, Bugti stressed that modern technology is essential for long-term urban management.
Key Equipment Delivered in Phase 1:
15 Sewage Suction Trucks
87 Sanitation Rickshaws (designed for narrow streets)
350+ Garbage Containers
500 Heavy-Duty Handcarts
700+ Dedicated Waste Bins
Accountability, Citizen App, and Environmental Measures
To ensure performance tracking, the provincial government has introduced dedicated mobile applications allowing citizens to lodge municipal complaints directly to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Bugti warned that local administrative officers and municipal staff would face strict accountability for neglect or poor service delivery.
Four-Month Countdown to Plastic Ban
Highlighting environmental hazards, Chief Minister Bugti directed Local Government Advisor Nawabzada Baba Amir Hamza Zehri to oversee an awareness campaign targeting single-use plastic bags. Following a four-month public campaign, a province-wide ban on polythene bags will strictly come into effect.
Addressing Infrastructure Projects and Constructive Criticism
Referring to the recently launched Quetta Metro Railway Service, Bugti addressed recent public criticism over minor mechanical issues during its initial runs.
”Attributing minor technical glitches like loose bolts to corruption is unfair,” Bugti stated. “This is a key public transport facility that needs time to mature. Constructive feedback helps us adjust our direction, but continuous negativity harms progress.”
He also cited a success story in Chaman, where district authorities successfully cleared years of accumulated waste and established proper dumping protocols, demonstrating that administrative resolve can overcome long-standing service breakdowns.
