Quetta Voice Special Report:
The Balochistan government has decided to increase the salaries of employees and create new vacancies to overcome the issue of increasing unemployment in the province. This was revealed by Zamarak Khan Achakzai, the Balochistan finance minister while talking to the Daily Quetta Voice in an exclusive interview.
“Definitely, we are going to increase the salaries of employees”, Mr. Achakzai said, preferring not to disclose the percent of the increase. He said the Balochistan government was looking at the federal government with regard to increasing salaries of the employees.
Rs.55 bs dues against PPL: Zamarak Achakzai
When asked about Balochistan’s financial issues, Mr. Achakzai stated that there were outstanding of a total of Rs.55 billion against the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL). “Islamabad is least bothered about the financial crisis of Balochistan”, he lamented.
Zamarak Achakzai said despite repeated appeals and requests, the PPL and the federal government were reluctant to release Balochistan’s dues. He said the Balochistan chief minister, Mir Quddus Bizenjo has taken a principled stance with regard to the province’s financial crisis.
Priority given to education and health sectors in the budget
Regarding the budget priorities, Zamarak Achakzai stated that the government has given priority to the health and education sector in the budget. “Our priorities are pro people”, he asserted.
Zamarak’s anger against the federal government has come after the CM Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo announced boycott of the federal budget session as protest against Islamabad.
