QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has urged the political leadership and bureaucracy to play their role in eradicating poverty in Balochistan and fulfilling the people’s expectations. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of under-training officers at the Balochistan Civil Service Academy, he said bureaucrats are the face of the state. He said the received modern training in the academy, so it is important that they apply their knowledge and experience for public welfare. The doors of government offices should always remain open for general public and officers should make decisions on merit. He appreciated the performance of Dr Hafeez Ahmed Jamali, the director of Balochistan Civil Services Academy (BSCA), and his entire team and congratulated them on the successful training programme. He said the responsibilities of provincial governments have increased significantly after the 18th Amendment. There was a dire need to invest in training and capacity building of government officers and employees, the governor said, adding the Balochistan government had recognised this need and filled this gap by establishing a provincial institution. He said BCSA, political leadership and senior bureaucracy should be commended for investing in the training of serving officers in the province. Governor Mandokhail said Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area and is rich in natural resources and minerals. There is also a strategic coastline and long borders with Iran and Afghanistan, and through investment in our youth, we could achieve rapid economic growth, the governor added. He said elected representatives should formulate a comprehensive strategy to deal with the challenges faced by people and formulate policies as per modern needs. “It is the duty of civil servants to maintain high ethical and professional standards in the service of the people and set clear goals and priorities in their professional careers,” Governor Mandokhail said. The event was also attended by Dr Jamali; Women University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rubina Mushtaq; provincial secretaries Saira Atta, Abdullah Khan Noorzai and Abdul Rauf Baloch; Principal Secretary to Governor Hashim Khan Ghilzai; and BCSA faculty members.