The Balochistan Assembly session on Tuesday witnessed the passage and presentation of several key legislative measures, along with debate on inter-provincial issues and other matters of public importance.
During the session, Abdul Rehman Khetran presented the Aga Khan Properties (Succession and Transfer) Bill 2025, which was approved by the House.
Provincial Finance Minister Shoaib Noshirwani tabled the Public Private Partnership Amendment Bill, which was also approved by the Assembly.
He later presented the Balochistan Agricultural Produce Markets Bill 2025, which was referred to the relevant standing committee for further consideration.
The House also presented the Balochistan Animal Slaughter Control Bill 2025 and referred it to the concerned standing committee.
Raising an inter-provincial issue, Haji Nawaz Kebzai said that transport from Balochistan was being restricted in Punjab. Responding to the concern, Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said the Punjab government was implementing the law and that compliance with the law was mandatory for all.
The chief minister informed the House that the Mines and Minerals Act had been passed unanimously.
He said the bill had been discussed again and alleged that certain “loopholes” were being deliberately removed. Bugti said the opposition and other political parties had been invited for dialogue on the Mines and Minerals Act, questioning how long the legislation could be blocked.
In a ruling, the Speaker urged all opposition parties to sit together at the earliest and present their stance on the issue.
The House also took up an issue related to India, where a chief minister allegedly removed the hijab of a female doctor during a ceremony. Farah Azeem Shah termed the incident condemnable and an attack on Muslim women. The Speaker strongly condemned the incident, calling it inhuman, and said the entire world should denounce such actions.
In further rulings, the Speaker directed all departments to conduct test interviews at the divisional level, stressed respect for members of parliament at all ports and highways, and instructed the Planning and Development Department to complete development projects in Quetta. The Speaker also called on the provincial government to immediately contact the Sindh government to ensure that traders and residents of Balochistan are not harassed.
The Balochistan Assembly session was adjourned until 3:00pm on December 19.
Reporter: Essa Tareen