The Balochistan Assembly on Friday passed a series of resolutions aimed at strengthening oversight, enhancing health safeguards and addressing long-pending administrative demands.
During the ongoing session, members of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, led by Salma Kakar, presented a key resolution calling for the effective implementation of previously passed public-welfare resolutions. The House noted that although numerous resolutions are regularly forwarded to the provincial government, many are not implemented in a timely or efficient manner.
The resolution emphasized the need for a dedicated monitoring mechanism to track the progress of all approved resolutions across provincial departments and to remove any administrative bottlenecks. Lawmakers stressed that a transparent system would ensure that public issues addressed in the Assembly translate into real-world action.
Provincial Finance Minister Shoaib Nosherwani assured the House that the provincial government would formally engage with the federal government to expedite implementation. Parliamentary Secretary Farah Azeem Shah expressed concern that it was often unclear how or where resolutions were processed after approval, underscoring the need for accountability. “We solve public problems through resolutions. This House is the voice of the people,” she said.
Echoing similar sentiments, legislator Asghar Tareen termed the lack of departmental follow-through “unfortunate,” while the Speaker clarified that all resolutions are routed through the Chief Secretary to the relevant departments.
Assembly Passes Resolution to Ban Industrial Trans Fats
In another major development, the Assembly passed a public-health resolution presented by Ghazala Gola of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, calling for a strict ban on industrially produced trans fatty acids (TFAs) and partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs)—substances widely linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other non-communicable illnesses.
The resolution highlighted that many consumers are unaware of the dangerous health effects posed by TFAs commonly found in packaged and processed foods. The House urged the provincial government to align with international health standards, banning foods containing more than 2% industrial trans fats, and to introduce legislation for a phased but immediate ban on PHOs in the province.
Kali Alizai Granted Tehsil Status
The Assembly also unanimously approved a resolution to grant tehsil status to the Kali Alizai area of Pishin district, a longstanding local demand expected to improve administrative services, development planning, and accessibility for residents.
With multiple resolutions focused on governance, health, and administrative reform, today’s session marked a productive step forward, reflecting the Assembly’s renewed commitment to safeguarding public welfare and ensuring accountability across government structures.