QUETTA: The Balochistan government is all set to present its budget for the financial year 2022-23, which was delayed for one day, on Tuesday (today) after sources said Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo met the demands of lawmakers, who were dissatisfied with the omission of development schemes for their areas.

“In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Article 109 (a) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, I, Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali, [the] acting governor [of] Balochistan, hereby summon the provincial assembly of Balochistan to meet in the provincial assembly hall, Shara-e-Zarghoon Quetta on Tuesday, the 21st June, 2022 at 4:00pm instead of Monday, 20th June, 2022 at 4:00pm,” said the notification issued by the provincial assembly secretariat on Monday.

Sources said the development came against the backdrop of CM Bizenjo-led faction in the Balochistan Awami Party meeting with the parliamentarians from the former chief minister Jam Kamal faction. Bizenjo managed to win their trust after accepting their demands.

Salient features

• More than Rs600 billion of budget
• Rs100 billion of deficit
• Rs385 billion earmarked for non-development expenditures
• From Rs160 billion to Rs165 billion allocated for development schemes

Relief to government employees

• 15% disparity reduction allowance
• 15% adhoc relief allowance
• 15% increase in pension
• 100% increase in Health Professional Allowance and House Rental Allowance of paramedics and other technical staff of Health Department
• Grant of one basic salary as additional incentive for doctors posted in Sheikh Zayed Hospital Quetta
• 40% increase in house requisition allowance for secretariat employees
• Regularisation of 1,400 Global Partnership for Education project teachers
• Regularisation of Balochistan Development Authority project employees
• Regularisation of Communication and Works Department employees
• Reinstatement of fisheries department employees
• Timely processing of promotion cases

Fissures in the ruling BAP emerged when CM Bizenjo was elected the new party president in intra-party elections held in the assembly in the general council meeting on Sunday, prompting rejection and ire from “incumbent” president Jam Kamal.

Kamal, who lost his seat in a confidence vote before Bizenjo, has summoned the party’s general council meeting on August 19.