Balochistan cabinet approves first transgender policy, minority fund

The Balochistan cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, on Friday approved a series of major initiatives, including a province-wide ban on the publication of hate material, establishment of an endowment fund for minorities, and the province’s first transgender policy.

Presiding over the cabinet’s 19th meeting, CM Bugti said the decisions reflected transparency, good governance, and the government’s commitment to inclusive progress in Balochistan.

The cabinet approved the Provincial Aviation Strategy along with a three-year Aviation Development Plan, while also upgrading Sakran and Karbala to the status of tehsils.

In another landmark move, the cabinet gave the green light to the first-ever Transgender Policy for Balochistan and endorsed the Law of Evidence (Amendment) Bill at the provincial level.

Acting on the recommendations of the Home Department, the cabinet imposed a complete ban on the publication of hate material and ratified the integration of technical institutes under the Balochistan Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (B-TEVTA).

Read more: Man allegedly kills son over 'transgender friendship' in Karachi

To strengthen healthcare, approval was granted for the establishment of a modern Prince Fahd Hospital in Dalbandin, while the cabinet also approved the Hospital Waste Management Rules 2025.

The meeting further decided to restore the original names of Khaliqabad and Shaheed Sikandarabad, in line with a Supreme Court judgement.

Additionally, the cabinet exempted World Food Programme consignments bound for Afghanistan from development charges, underscoring humanitarian cooperation.