* Provincial assembly says local government system responsible for
worsening provincial security situation
By Malik Siraj Akbar
QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly (BA) on Wednesday appealed to the federal government to bring police under the provincial government’s control and restore the office of district deputy commissioner (DC). The BA said the move could help control prevailing lawlessness in several parts of the province.
Responsibility: In an extensive debate on provincial law and order, the BA expressed dissatisfaction over the current of law and order situation in the province, blaming the local government system for the poor performance of law enforcement agencies. "The current set-up does not favour the people of Balochistan," said senior parliamentarian Jaffar Khan Mandokhel, who presented a resolution in the BA demanding the restoration of the DC office. He said that the police were unwilling to work under the directives of either the provincial government or the local district government, adding there was confusion as to who the police was answerable to.
The BA was informed that around 30 percent of school buildings had been destroyed in the areas hit by the October 2008 earthquake.
Balochistan Education Minister Shafiq Ahmed said the next academic year was to start in March and his ministry was in desperate need of funds to refurbish the damaged schools. He also criticised the Finance Department for not cooperating with the Education Ministry.
The BA was also briefed on increasing acts of violence against the Hindu community in parts of the province. Newly-inducted minister Basant Lal Gulshan said a Hindu youth was abducted from Jhal Magsi district this week and the police had so far taken no measures to ensure his release. The provincial assembly later passed a resolution demanding the federal government restore a defunct cotton mill in Hernai district, which earlier provided employment to thousands of people. The joint resolution demanded the government install modern machinery at the mill so that its operations ensure economic development in the area.
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