Balochistan cabinet approves policy guidelines for trading in carbon market

QUETTA: The spokesperson for the Balochistan government Shahid Rind has said that the Balochistan cabinet approved the policy guidelines for trading in carbon markets, the Balochistan Foundational Learning Policy, and the provision of basic facilities in schools in the remote areas of the province.

He made these announcements during a press conference at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Thursday.

He said that the cabinet approved the policy guidelines for trading in carbon markets. Under these guidelines, a carbon market working group will be established at the federal level, with representation from all the four provinces. A joint policy on carbon markets will be developed with mutual consultation between all the four provinces, including Balochistan.

Spokesperson Rind further said that the Balochistan Cabinet approved a project to provide basic facilities in schools in the remote areas of the province. This initiative will be launched with the cooperation of the World Bank to improve basic facilities and the quality of education in schools. The cabinet also approved a five-year project worth $100 million. The project aims to improve the quality of education, ensure the enrollment of out-of-school children, and address distance-related issues.

Balochistan government spokesperson also mentioned that the cabinet approved the Balochistan Foundational Learning Policy, which is expected to contribute to educational reforms in the province, improve the standard of education, and increase literacy rates. The cabinet also approved the Regularity Act 2024 concerning the appointment, deployment, and transfer of teachers. This act is intended to legalise the policy of temporary teachers recruitment, and after the cabinet’s approval, it will be presented in the Balochistan Assembly. Teachers recruited at the union council and local levels will not be transferred elsewhere.

Shahid Rind emphasised that Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti reiterated his commitment to bringing transparency to the recruitment process at the local level based on merit. The entire cabinet has agreed in principle to implement the Chief Minister’s commitment to merit.

He also mentioned that the Balochistan Cabinet had also approved the release of funds for the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Program, which will be implemented under a soft loan from the World Bank. The program aims to ensure proper use of agricultural water and improve water management.

The spokesperson also noted that the Balochistan government had planned to build a cricket academy on the land of Radio Pakistan in Saryab Road, Quetta. However, despite several efforts, Radio Pakistan did not agree to hand over the land. Since Radio Pakistan is also a state institution, the provincial government does not wish to engage in any dispute. Therefore, the decision was made to construct the cricket academy at an alternative suitable location.

Rind further said that the Balochistan Cabinet gave conditional approval for extending the lease agreement with PPL. The extension will take into account the pending case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Chief Minister Bugti informed the cabinet members about the demands accepted by PPL for public welfare. The cabinet also expressed concern over the delay in the implementation of the approved bypass project in Dera Murad Jamali and directed that a letter be sent to the National Highway Authority (NHA) regarding the pending project.