The Balochistan Assembly on Monday passed several bills and resolutions, including legislation aimed at addressing child labour, protecting reproductive healthcare rights and establishing safe homes across the province.
The House approved the Balochistan Employment of Children (Prohibition and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Balochistan Protection and Promotion of Reproductive Healthcare Rights Bill 2026 during a session chaired by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai.
Lawmakers also passed legislation providing for the construction of safe homes in different districts of Balochistan.
Assembly Calls for Stronger Security Measures
The provincial assembly adopted a resolution calling for effective implementation of the National Action Plan to improve law and order and address terrorism, extremism and unrest.
Lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches discussed the province’s security situation and called for a joint strategy to tackle growing security challenges.
Members also proposed holding an in-camera session to discuss sensitive security matters.
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Water Resources Management Bill 2026 and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Balochistan Amendment) Bill 2026 were referred to the relevant standing committees for further consideration.
Sarfraz Bugti Addresses Liquor Shop Issue
During the session, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti addressed concerns regarding liquor shops operating in Balochistan.
Bugti said such shops were intended to serve non-Muslim citizens and had existed in the region since before the creation of Pakistan.
The chief minister said he did not consume alcohol and added that if any liquor outlet had been named after a particular locality, the government would either change its name or close it.
Assembly Discusses Employment Quota and Dams
MPA Rahmat Saleh Baloch raised a call-attention notice concerning the implementation of an employment quota for families of deceased employees in Panjgur.
The notice was disposed of after the provincial health minister assured the House that the matter would be addressed.
MPA Maulana Hidayatur Rehman also raised concerns regarding dams and canals in the province. In response, the provincial irrigation minister told lawmakers that 886 dams had been completed in Balochistan, while 223 others were under construction.
The call-attention notice was subsequently disposed of following the minister’s assurance.
Balochistan Assembly Seeks Action Against Acid Attacks
The House also unanimously adopted a joint resolution calling for effective legislation to prevent acid attacks and strengthen protections for victims.
MPA Shahida Rauf moved the resolution on behalf of the Women Parliamentary Caucus. The resolution condemned the acid attack involving Dr Mahnoor Nasar and called for stronger legal measures to prevent similar incidents.
The debate included heated exchanges among lawmakers, after which female members of the assembly expressed solidarity with women affected by acid attacks.
The latest session covered a range of legislative, security and social issues, with lawmakers calling for stronger enforcement of existing laws and additional measures to address challenges facing communities across Balochistan.
