QUETTA, June 4: Chief minister-designate of Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and other members of the provincial assembly expressed on Tuesday their determination to make efforts to steer their province out of crises and to restore peace there.

They said that dumping of mutilated bodies, target killing, kidnapping for ransom and corruption were the major problems confronted by the people of the province.

Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali and Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo were sworn in as speaker and deputy speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, respectively.

Outgoing speaker Syed Matiullah Agha administered the oath to Mr Jamali who in turn swore in Mr Bizenjo.

Mr Jamali and Mr Bizenjo were elected unopposed to the offices on Monday.

In a brief speech after taking the oath of his office, Mr Jamali thanked members of the house for reposing trust in him and assured them that he would try to remain impartial while running the business of the house.

The speaker regretted that members of the previous assembly had failed to form standing committees and assured the house that he would form the committees to review the performance of the government.

Chief minister-designate Abdul Malik Baloch and other lawmakers in their addresses expressed determination to make efforts for steering the province out of the existing crises.

They said that bad security situation, target killings, kidnapping for ransom and corruption were the major issues confronted by the province.

They said continuation of democratic process in the country was the fruit of a long struggle and sacrifices rendered by political leaders and workers.

They said no compromise would be made on the rights of people.

The legislators said the province was facing numerous problems because of the wrong policies of the civil and military establishment, adding that people had now elected new members to solve their problems and restore peace.

They said their prime responsibility would be to fulfil promises they had made during their election campaigns.

They asserted that officials belonging to government departments and security forces would have to follow policies farmed by the elected government.

Those who spoke included Mir Khalid Lango, Nawab Mohammad Khan Shahwani, Yaseem Lehri, Dr Shama Ishaq, Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, Sardar Saleh Mohammad Bhootani, Zamarak Khan Piralizai, Mir Karim Nausherwani, Maulana Wasay, Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai, Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, Abdur Rahim Ziaratwal, Sardar Mustafa Tareen, Nasrullah Zeray, Manzoor Kakar, Obaidullah Babat, Spozmi Achakzai, William Barkat, Dur Mohammad Nasar, Mazharullah Musakhel, Gul Mohammad Domarh, Mir Asim Kurd, Mir Azhar Khoso, Rahila Durrani, Shahid Rauf, Sardar Abdur Rehman Khetran, Santosh Kumar, Sarfaraz Bugti, Mufti Gulab Shah, Handey Mesiah, Syed Reza, and Mir Al Majid Abro.

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