QUETTA: The government of Balochistan is committed to ensuring safe and secure environment to women in the province. It plans to set up anti-harassment cells at division and district levels.

These views were expressed by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani during a meeting with activist and social scientist Dr Fouzia Saeed on Wednesday.

Dr Saeed met him to discuss particularly the torture and harassment of women and child abuse in the province. “Several articles of the Anti-Harassment Act are being implemented along with securing the protection of women and children under the tribal norms,” the CM told Dr Saeed, according to a press release.

Dr Saeed’s visit comes in the wake of instances of alleged blackmailing and harassment of students at University of Balochistan through “objectionable videos” discreetly made at its Quetta campus which emerged a month ago when the Balochistan High Court asked the Federal Investigation Agency to investigate the matter.

Moreover, on Nov 20 the Balochistan Assembly adopted a resolution that called for legislation to stop child labour and abuse of children in the province.

Appreciating Balochistan government’s efforts, Dr Saeed said that the province, as compared to other provinces, was leading in legislation and implementation of acts and bills relating to women and children.

She also welcomed the appointment of Advocate Sabira Islam by the chief minister as the first provincial ombudsperson for Balochistan under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act. “The appointment of female ombudsperson will help decrease harassment cases in the province, as women will not feel any hesitation and will be allowed to lodge their complaints,” she said.

Disaster Management Fund

Also on Wednesday, while presiding over a meeting to review the performance of Provincial Disaster Manage­ment Authority (PDMA), CM Alyani approved Balo­chistan Disaster Manage­ment Fund in case of catastrophes or emergency-like situation in the province and directed authorities to submit documentation for the proposed fund, according to a press release.

The PDMAs in each province were constituted under the National Disaster Management Ordinance in 2006.

The chief minister also approved the provincial disaster management commission in Balochistan.

He emphasised profiling of all districts affected by flood, earthquakes and natural disasters for future safety precautions.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2019