Balochistan Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill approved: Cabinet approves establishment of Center of Excellence on the Countering violent extremism
Balochistan Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill approved: Cabinet approves establishment of Center of Excellence on the Countering violent extremism
QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet has approved the Balochistan Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill 2025, in order to make counter terrorism laws more effective in the province.
The cabinet also approved establishment of the Center of Excellence on the countering violent extremism for prevention of terrorism and heinous crimes, conducting investigations and tackling the issue of missing persons more effectively.
The provincial cabinet accorded these and similar other approvals during its lengthy meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, here on Tuesday.
The cabinet also approved the Balochistan Establishment of Special Court Overseas Pakistanis Property Act 2025 for protection of the properties of overseas and resolving disputes in this regard.
Besides, the cabinet approved the Balochistan Civil Servants and Employees Benefit and Death Amendment Policy 2020 so as to provide every possible relief to the government employees and their families.
It also approved the formation of the National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority and related frameworks.
In support of labor rights, the cabinet ratified the Balochistan Labour Rules, which aim to eliminate forced labor and protect home-based workers. Rules concerning persons with disabilities (Rules 2024) were also approved to ensure better support and inclusion.
Amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules 1969 under the Excise and Taxation Department were approved to align regulations with modern needs. The cabinet introduced a four-tier service structure for pharmacists and drug inspectors to enhance career progression and healthcare delivery.
Approval was also granted for the Balochistan Local Councils Street Rules 2025 and several development projects announced by the Chief Minister.
The cabinet decided to publicly advertise all vacant posts from grades 1 to 15 to ensure transparent, merit-based recruitment, thereby enhancing employment opportunities in the province.
To support environmental protection, the cabinet passed the Balochistan Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships Bill 2025. In a bid to safeguard food security, the cabinet directed the Food Department to sell the current wheat stock in the open market before spoilage. A bid acceptance committee, led by the Secretary Food, will determine pricing based on market conditions. It was decided that wheat sales must adhere to the department’s minimum pricing guidelines. The cabinet also agreed, by majority, not to procure new wheat this year.
For public safety, the cabinet approved the release of Rs. 140 million for the Quetta Safe City Project and directed the Secretary IT to ensure its completion by June 2025. Finally, the appointment of the Chairman of the Balochistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education was formally endorsed.
Concluding the session, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti stated that the Government of Balochistan is committed to the province’s development, peace, and public welfare with sincerity, integrity, and determination.
He emphasized that the cabinet’s decisions would mark the foundation of a stable, prosperous, and progressive Balochistan where the justice, merit, transparency and rule of law would prevail.
