The joint opposition in the Senate on Tuesday staged walkout on the derogatory remarks of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sher Afgan that Baloch people are incompetent for employment in the federal government.
Earlier, Dr Ismail Buledi raised a question regarding ignoring Balochistan people in the employment quota of federal government jobs. Leader of the Opposition Raza Rabbani said, "The parliamentary affairs minister should not use such kind of remarks against the people of Balochistan and should apologise on the floor of the House. How can he say that Baloch people are incompetent, if Balochistan people are incompetent then the Cabinet is the most incompetent authority, he said.
He said that Baloch people represent the entire Pakistani nation and parliamentary affairs minister cannot say that Pakistani people are incompetent.
Much heated words were exchanged between the opposition and treasury benches, but Sher Afgan said that he has not uttered these words.
Senator Liaquat Ali Bangalzai said that this is injustice to Balochistan province, as the people of the province were being kept backward through preplanned policy.
He said that Baloch people are treated as third degree citizens through a preplanned government policy based on prejudices against the province.
Dr Ismail Buledi said that only one employee from Balochistan was recruited in PSO, whereas no employee was recruited from Fata.
He said that 500 candidates from Balochistan appeared in written test, but after repeated inquiries, results were delayed.
As the Petroleum Minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon was not present in the House, Sher Afgan tried to cover the issue, saying that the employees are being hired from universities, professional institutions and posts were advertised, but was unable to give any justification for low employment quota of Balochistan.
Senator Abdullah Riaz criticised the policies of Petroleum Ministry, saying that oil and gas is discovered from the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh, but these provinces were being deprived of oil and gas.