Quetta (ANN): The Balochistan Assembly session, chaired by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, began with a delay of 55 minutes and saw the unanimous passage of crucial draft legislations related to the Balochistan Levies Force, forensic science, and counter-terrorism.
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Ali Madad Jatak, presented the draft bill on the Levies Force. During the discussion, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman stressed the importance of consultation in decision-making. He argued that merging Levies into the police had failed to establish peace in certain regions and opposed the move.
Provincial Minister Mir Sadiq Umrani stated that the government has always invited the opposition to join hands in solving provincial issues, while reaffirming the Pakistan People’s Party’s commitment to collective struggle for Balochistan’s progress. Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti noted that the government had already shared its stance with the opposition and remained open to debate, while Home Minister Bugti reiterated that the doors for dialogue with the opposition are always open.
Provincial lawmaker Zareen Magsi introduced the Balochistan Counter-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2025. Raising concerns, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman questioned whether decisions made over “WhatsApp” could truly bring peace, adding that it was crucial to address the root causes of terrorism.
Clarifying, Chief Minister Bugti assured the house that the counter-terrorism law would not be applied to ordinary citizens. He emphasized that extraordinary circumstances demand extraordinary measures, citing France’s swift legislation during crises as an example. Referring to the 2016 Quetta lawyers’ massacre, Bugti noted that despite the arrest of mastermind Saeed Badini, timely trial could not take place due to lack of witnesses. “Nobody is willing to testify against terrorists,” he remarked, underlining the need for stronger legal frameworks.
The chief minister also pledged to resolve the issue of missing persons permanently, ensuring that families of detainees are immediately informed and the matter is addressed transparently. “We are all victims of terrorism; leadership must step forward in this fight. The PPP stands committed to peace and to eradicating unemployment — we will never bow before terrorists,” he asserted.
During the session, Provincial Minister Mir Saleem Khosa highlighted heavy losses in Punjab due to recent flooding, while acknowledging the prompt response of PDMA. Minister Umrani suggested that a delegation led by the Chief Minister meet the Prime Minister to raise concerns over road blockages and damages caused by torrential rains, noting similar devastation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
After approving all bills unanimously, the Assembly adjourned until September 12.
