Balochistan cabinet approves important decisions concerning climate change, urban transport facilities, fiscal reforms

Independent Report

QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet has approved important decisions concerning climate change, urban transport facilities, financial reforms, establishment of the Bank of Balochistan, improvement of administrative structure, education, environment and public welfare.
The cabinet accorded approval to certain important decisions and matters during its 22nd meeting held with Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti in the chair, here at the CM’s secretariat on Friday.
Almost all the provincial ministers, advisors and parliamentary secretaries were in attendance.
The cabinet approved additional routes and more buses for the Green Bus Service to improve urban travel facilities. The Chief Minister stated that, for the first time in Balochistan’s history, a “Pink Bus Service” is being launched exclusively for women—an important practical step toward safe and dignified travel for women.
Terming climate change a major challenge, Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the province has established its first Climate Fund, which will support environment-friendly policies and climate-resilient projects. To reduce environmental pollution, the cabinet agreed to impose a phased ban on rickshaws and motorbikes and to introduce electric bikes and electric rickshaws in the province.
As a major development in the financial sector, the provincial cabinet granted in-principle approval for the establishment of the Bank of Balochistan. The Chief Minister directed that the bank should become operational by next year and that its management board must be formed with complete transparency and 100% merit. He made it clear that the Bank of Balochistan will be kept entirely free from political pressure and compromise.
The cabinet also approved the appointment of the Chairperson of the Balochistan Environmental Protection Tribunal, the Birth and Death Registration Model By-laws 2022, and a Special Marriage Act for the minority Bahai community.
Un order to strengthen legal facilitation in the province, cabinet decided to delegate the powers of Justice of the Peace to Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners, and Assistant Commissioners.
The meeting was informed that the Justice of the Peace will be empowered to direct police to register FIRs in cognizable cases, address harassment complaints immediately, and serve as an active platform to reduce delays caused by legal complexities.
In a major decision in the education sector, the cabinet exempted from taxes the expenses of building additional rooms and facilities—constructed through Parent-Teacher Committees—in 3,000 single-room schools. A target was set to upgrade 90% of the province’s single-room schools to two-room schools within the next three years.
In the development and economic sectors, the cabinet approved the establishment of a Project Management Unit in the Planning & Development Department, the Balochistan Livelihood Support Project, Tax on Land and Agriculture Income Rules 2025, and amendments to the Balochistan Levies Force Service Rules 2023.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the provincial cabinet is committed to modernizing the province’s financial structure, improving urban facilities with transparency and speed, and making decisions whose positive effects will become increasingly visible in the coming years. He added that practical steps have already begun to tackle climate change, modernize urban transport, strengthen the education system, and place the economy on sustainable foundations.
“We are moving toward becoming a province where progress is measured not by decisions but by results—and where every citizen feels the government stands with them, works for them, and is securing their future.
In the end, prayers were offered for the elevation of ranks of the martyred security personnel and civilians, as well as special prayers for the early recovery of Provincial Irrigation Minister Muhammad Sadiq Umrani.