Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has said that terrorists cannot occupy even an inch of land for long. He spoke after meeting participants of the 16th National Workshop Balochistan in Quetta. Bugti stressed that understanding Balochistan’s past is key to solving its current problems. He added that outsiders often have false views about the province. According to him, the real situation is different and misunderstood.
The chief minister rejected the idea that unrest in Balochistan is due to unemployment or uneven development. He said the government plans to reach out to discontented youth. “We will solve their complaints and welcome them,” he stated. However, he made it clear that the state will not talk to those who break the constitution. He also said that peace efforts are ongoing and will not stop.
Bugti announced that a Provincial Action Plan has been made to improve peace and security in the region. He confirmed that security forces are working in high-risk areas known as grey zones. It is hard to tell friend from enemy, he admitted, but terrorists cannot gain or keep control. He praised the efforts of law enforcement in keeping the situation under control.
The chief minister also spoke about missing persons, saying new laws have been passed to handle the issue. He warned that the Baloch people are being pushed into a useless war. Alongside this, Bugti shared that reforms are underway in governance and public services. He said 99% of hiring in health and education was done on merit. Students are also getting local and international scholarships.
Bugti responded to a recent double murder case, saying there was no marriage between the man and woman who were killed. Investigations are still going on, he added. No relatives have come forward to file a case. Because of this, the state itself has taken the role of complainant. He promised that justice will be done.