The Balochistan government has made the HB Electrophoresis test mandatory before marriage to curb the rising cases of thalassemia in the province. Health Secretary and Chairman of the Balochistan Blood Transfusion Authority, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Panizai, said the high number of cases is linked to cousin marriages in tribal society. The government will provide testing facilities in public laboratories and may amend existing laws to ensure implementation. Along with mandatory testing, a province-wide awareness campaign will be launched to educate people about thalassemia prevention and the new pre-marital requirement.