Balochistan Assembly backs new district in Pishin, revival of Pasni Fish Harbour

QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly on Friday approved two separate resolutions, one seeking the creation of a new administrative district in Pishin and the other calling for the restoration of the long-inactive Pasni Fish Harbour.

The sitting was presided over by Speaker retired Captain Abdul Khaliq Achakzai.

Resolution on new district in Pishin

JUI-F lawmaker Syed Zafar Agha moved the resolution related to Pishin. According to the resolution, the tehsils of Huramzai, Karbala and Saranan in Pishin have a combined population of around 400,000 and fulfil the requirements for being granted district status.

The resolution said that despite their population size and administrative needs, the area had not been upgraded, which had led to public unrest and a feeling of deprivation among residents.

Speaking on the resolution, Mr Agha said Huramzai was a large tehsil in terms of both population and area. He told the House that one of the three police stations in the area was not functional. He also pointed to the lack of a tehsil headquarters hospital.

JUI-F MPA Asghar Ali Tareen supported the resolution and thanked the chief minister, the cabinet and the relevant authorities for upgrading Pishin to a division.

He said Pishin’s population was about 1.2 million and added that proposals for the creation of Karezat district were also under consideration and had the support of the revenue authorities. He recommended that Huramzai and Karezat be declared districts for improved governance and to help maintain peace in the area.

The speaker directed the senior member of the Board of Revenue to submit a detailed report. The House later adopted the resolution.

Pasni Fish Harbour resolution

Another resolution was moved by Jamaat-i-Islami’s Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, who drew attention to the prolonged closure of Pasni Fish Harbour.

He said the harbour had remained non-operational for years because of silting and negligence, which had badly affected the local fishing community.

Mr Rehman said funds for rehabilitation schemes had been allocated and that foreign grants, reportedly from Japan, had also been provided, but the harbour had still not been restored.

He alleged that the money was spent on vehicle purchases, tours and administrative costs instead of rehabilitation work. He further said employees often had to wait for months to receive their salaries because of irregular funding.

After discussion, the assembly approved the resolution and called for urgent steps to make Pasni harbour functional again.

Other matters before the House

At the start of proceedings, the speaker informed the assembly that, in line with his ruling from the April 7 session, the provincial police chief had submitted a report on the killing of three people in Yaro.

He also said the industries secretary had provided details regarding hurdles in sugar supply in Hub and Nasirabad.