In a first-of-its-kind meeting, Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti and the Balochistan cabinet on Friday, abstracted a policy sleight on social inclusion mechanics and infrastructure development, including the first policy document on transgender rights in the province.
Social Inclusion and Rights
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Transgender Policy: Transgender policy of Balochistan is the first-of-its-kind and intended to protect the rights of individuals of the transgender community. Government of Balochistan noted that the policy is a step in the right direction to Integrate the community that remains underrepresented in the formulation of policy and public discourse.
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Minority Endowment Fund: In a right to practice religion, the cabinet endorsed a Minority Endowment Fund to improve access and avenues for religious minorities. These policies represent a proactive approach to policymaking which is lacking in the rest of the Under developed region of Pakistan.
Aviation and Infrastructure Development
The province also critically endorsed the aviation sector with the Provincial Aviation Strategy and a detailed three-year Aviation Development Plan (2025–2027) to boost interconnectivity for the region. The cabinet also applauded the aviation directorate for a recent humanitarian achievement including the successful rescue airlift of three critically injured patients from Turbat to Karachi.
Administrative Changes and Reforms in Governance
As an example of governance, the upgrading of Sakran and Karbala to the status of tehsils is expected to improve the decentralization of services and access by the local populace.
The cabinet also endorsed two legislative changes:
- The Law of Evidence Amendment Bill
- The Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2024.
Also, the Home Department argued that for the sake of social fabric, a Province-wide restriction was needed to stop the publication and circulation of hate material.
Health and Education Infrastructure
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Prince Fahd Hospital: The remote area of Dalbandin was also boosted by the approval of Prince Fahd Hospital, which is expected to provide modern health care services.
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Waste Management: The government also implemented the Hospital Waste Management Rule 2025, which should alleviate the problem of the unsafe disposal of medical waste.
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Education Oversight: In the education sector, Technical Education and Vocational Training Institutes (TEVTIs) will be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Balochistan Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (BTEVTA) for improved oversight and standardization.
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District Names: Furthermore, in accordance with a directive of the supreme court, the cabinet also restored the original names of Khaliqabad and Shaheed Sikandarabad districts.
Humanitarian Aid and Welfare Decisions
- Cross-Border Aid: It has been agreed that development charges should not apply to World Food Programme (WFP) consignments headed to Afghanistan to which the provincial government has tom Balochistan’s cross-border humanitarian stance.
- Drug Rehabilitiation: Commendations went to the Social Welfare Department for the removal of drug addicts from the banks of Sari Nala, although the cabinet was of the opinion that further long-term rehabilitative policy measures should be drafted by a new committee.
A Wider Perspective on Development
Agenda presentations were made and approved for implementation by departments on:
- Livestock and forestry
- IT
- Higher education
Leadership Statement
Chief Minister Bugti, before adjourning the meeting, reframed the decisions of the day to be part of a wider strategy meant to promote “inclusive development, transparency, and good governance”. He insisted that there would be a policy priority to invest on infrastructure, health, education, and also support for minorities, women, and transgender people.
“The people of Balochistan and the development of this region are at the heart of our plans, and that’s what these steps are aimed,” said Bugti.
