State’s Authority Top Priority; War Against Terrorism Is Everyone’s Fight: Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti

QUETTA: Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, has said that maintaining the writ of the state is his government’s foremost priority, adding that the war against terrorism is not just the responsibility of the army, Frontier Corps, or security forces, but a collective struggle that every citizen must participate in.

Addressing a ceremony at Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University in Quetta to mark *Iqbal Day*, CM Bugti paid tribute to Allama Iqbal’s vision, saying that Pakistan is the realization of Iqbal’s dream of a free homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent. He emphasized that Iqbal’s philosophy of *selfhood, awareness,* and *resilience* remains a guiding light, particularly for the youth, and that nations can only progress through education and action.

He announced several development initiatives for the university, including **Rs 10 million for the library**, **complete solarization of the campus**, **construction of a modern auditorium**, and the **provision of 10 new buses, 100 laptops for faculty, 300 laptops for students**, and **10 electric vehicles to be driven by female students**. He also announced the expansion of the *Pink Scooty Scheme* for women, saying Balochistan’s students would get scooters at 40% less than Punjab’s rates.

Speaking about security and extremism, CM Bugti said that enemies have long attempted to weaken Pakistan through terrorism, propaganda, sectarianism, and linguistic divisions, but the people of Pakistan have always stood firm. He revealed that a second-year student was found involved in the assassination of former Balochistan Chief Justice Noor Muhammad Muskanzai, radicalized through social media.

Bugti warned students against falling prey to anti-state propaganda, urging them to honor their parents’ sacrifices and focus on education. He said that **the state stands with the oppressed**, and that **no one advocating Pakistan’s disintegration will be tolerated**.

The CM further clarified that temporary internet shutdowns in some parts of Balochistan were a security necessity, assuring that educational institutions would be provided with cable internet to prevent disruption of studies.

Referring to the province’s peace efforts, Bugti said:

> “We are turning the entire province into an ‘A area’ to ensure uniform enforcement of law. The fight against terrorism is not just the army’s or FC’s — it is every citizen’s war.”

He added that despite past terrorist attacks, such as the one targeting the students of Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, the people’s resilience doubled, proving that extremists cannot suppress the spirit of Balochistan.

Bugti reaffirmed that the government had fulfilled its promise of keeping all roads open, and praised the security forces for defending every inch of Pakistan, even in “grey zones where it is hard to distinguish friend from foe.”

The ceremony was also addressed by Provincial Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani and Vice Chancellor Dr. Rubina Mushtaq. Provincial Health Minister Bakh Muhammad Kakar, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, and other senior officials attended the event.