Caretaker Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai has accused the bureaucracy of not giving due importance to the interim setup which has apparently caused difficulties for the resource-rich but backward province.

“As per the vision of army chief General Asim Munir, steps are being taken under the Special Investment Facilitation Council, but most of the difficulties are coming from the bureaucracy side,” he told reporters in Quetta on Friday.

He was speaking about the law and order situation and decisions taken to boost the economy. Achakzai warned against strict punishment for people found abetting terrorist activities.

“In this regard, people’s issues are increasing due to incompetence of Balochistan’s bureaucracy,” the interim information minister said and lamented that the interim provincial setup was not given due importance which it should be given under the Constitution.

He went on to add that the caretaker government was facing severe criticism because of such a situation. Except Balochistan, Achakzai claimed that all development works were on track in other provinces and added that there was a perception that billions of rupees of projects could not be completed on time.

Achakzai claimed that in many instances the caretaker prime minister’s instructions were not followed, adding that the inquiry into the alleged corruption related to funds for Balochistan was not started.

“Despite the directives of the Balochistan chief ministers, the details of cars and perks for bureaucrats were not provided to the cabinet,” he said and added that the anti-corruption body has so far not been strengthened.

There were concerns related to alleged corruption, he added.

According to the Achakzai, the ministers were facing criticism related to mis-governance while performing their duties.

So, around 400,000 illegal immigrants have left the country, Achakzai said and added: “We are receiving complaints that the interim Afghan government was not taking care of returning refugees and appealed that refugees should be rehabilitated.”