CM Bugti vows to ensure principles of transparency, merit & good governance at all levels in province

QUETTA, Apr 16 (APP): Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Thursday chaired a meeting of provincial cabinet at the Chief Minister Secretariat in which several important decisions related to the development of the province, good governance and public welfare were approved.

Addressing the provincial cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the government is committed to ensuring the principles of transparency, merit and good governance at all levels in the province.

He said that climate change, food security, employment opportunities and institutional reforms are among the top priorities of the government.

The Chief Minister reiterated the commitment that through the use of modern technology, effective policy making and integrated strategy, Balochistan would be put on the path of development and better facilities would be provided to the people.

He also appreciated the performance of Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan in implementing reform measures and good governance goals and expressed the expectation that he would continue to play his role for the betterment of the province with the same passion and professional skills in the future.

Informing the details of the cabinet meeting, Assistant to the Chief Minister of Balochistan for Political and Media Affairs Shahid Rind said that the meeting approved a comprehensive policy related to the effective use of the Balochistan Climate Change Fund.

He said that Balochistan is the first province in the country to establish a Climate Change Fund, although the province’s share in environmental pollution is negligible, Balochistan is at the top of the areas most affected by climate change, floods and natural disasters. Under this policy, a coordinated and effective strategy will be adopted to deal with climate risks.

He said that the provincial cabinet also approved the province’s first Advertisement Policy 2026, under this policy, the elimination of dummy newspapers, encouragement of authentic and active media institutions and Social media would be included under regular procedures.

It was clarified that this policy will not affect the interests of any genuine media house or journalist, but will promote transparency and merit, he said.

He highlighted that the meeting also approved the Balochistan Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, under which sustainable development, resource conservation and promotion of modern methods in the fishing sector would be ensured, while it was decided to merge the Balochistan Crystal Development Authority and Pasni Fish Harbor into the Fisheries Department to improve institutional coordination and efficiency.

He said that the cabinet, in an important decision, approved the recruitment process for posts from Grade 4 to Grade 16 through artificial intelligence, this measure would be implemented after June of the next financial year.

Along with this, all departments have been directed to dispose of pending recruitment cases as soon as possible so that employment opportunities can be provided in a timely manner. These steps are being taken to ensure transparency, merit and use of modern technology in recruitment, he noted.

He said that in an important decision regarding wheat, the cabinet agreed to the federal government’s policy under which wheat would be purchased from the private sector for strategic reserves.

“If private investors do not come forward at the local level, the federal government will be requested to purchase one hundred thousand metric tons of wheat to ensure food security in the province”, he said and added the meeting also approved providing Rs 3 billion as seed money and Rs 1 billion as arrears for the Balochistan Public Endowment Fund.

He said that through this fund, welfare projects in education, health and other social sectors would be further strengthened.