Balochistan passes bills on child labour, reproductive health

Quetta witnessed a significant legislative session on Monday, with the Balochistan Assembly passing several bills and resolutions. Among these were the Balochistan Employment of Children (Prohibition and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Balochistan Protection and Promotion of Reproductive Healthcare Rights Bill 2026. The Assembly also approved a plan for constructing safe homes in various districts and a resolution aimed at effective implementation of the National Action Plan to bolster law and order, combat terrorism, extremism, and unrest.

The session was presided over by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, and it included a debate on the province's overall law and order situation. Both treasury and opposition members called for a joint strategy and an in-camera session to tackle security challenges facing Balochistan. Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti addressed the assembly, revealing that liquor shops in the region were originally intended for non-Muslims and had been in existence prior to Pakistan's creation.

He affirmed that he abstains from alcohol and stated that if any liquor shop was named after a specific locality, the government would either alter its name or shut it down.

MPA Rahmat Saleh Baloch sought a call-attention notice for the implementation of employment quotas for families of deceased individuals in Panjgur, which was resolved after a promise from the provincial health minister. MPA Maulana Hidayatur Rehman's call-attention notice on dams and canals was addressed by the provincial irrigation minister, who confirmed that 886 dams had been built in Balochistan while 223 were under construction. The notice was closed after the minister’s reassurance.

A joint resolution was adopted to address acid attacks in the province, condemning the incident involving Dr. Mahnoor Nasar. The Women Parliamentary Caucus moved this resolution on behalf of its members. While heated exchanges took place among lawmakers during the debate, female members later expressed solidarity with women who had been victims of acid attacks.