Historic Move: Controversial Public Place Names Changed in Balochistan
A meeting of the Balochistan Provincial Cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.
The provincial cabinet strongly condemned the recent terrorist incidents, including the attack on the Jaffar Express and the terrorist activity in Nushki. The cabinet praised the swift and effective response of security forces, stating that their timely action prevented a major catastrophe in Balochistan.
The cabinet paid tribute to the brave soldiers who were martyred in these attacks and offered prayers for their souls. Expressing concern over the targeted killings of religious scholars, the cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating those responsible with the cooperation of the public. It was unanimously agreed that the people of Balochistan stand firmly with their courageous security forces in the fight against terrorism.
The Balochistan cabinet approved an exemption of the Chief Minister’s Youth Skills Development Program from the Balochistan Sales Tax. It also allowed the sale of stored wheat in the open market based on the recommendations of a special committee.
Additionally, the cabinet approved the Balochistan Women’s Economic Empowerment Endowment Fund Utilization Policy 2024, which aims to provide interest-free loans to women for economic stability and growth. Another major decision included amendments to the Workplace Harassment Protection Law to strengthen protections for women at workplaces.
Furthermore, the cabinet approved the renaming of two public places, changing Goli Mar Chowk and Kachra Road to Shaheed Zakir Baloch Chowk and SR Ponigar Road, respectively, to honor martyrs and improve the image of public spaces.
Regarding education, the cabinet instructed the education department to ensure a merit-based recruitment process. All initial appointments will be on a contract basis for 18 months, with the possibility of an extension based on performance.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti emphasized that terrorism has been rejected by both the Balochistan government and the people. He commended the security forces for their brave and immediate action, which prevented significant damage.
He stressed that meritocracy and good governance are the only sustainable solutions to public issues, stating that disenfranchised youth can only be brought back into the fold through fairness and equal opportunities. He further clarified that governance failures should not be mistaken as a failure of the state.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education and health, declaring that reforms will continue, and contract-based hiring in these sectors will bring significant improvements.
