CM Sarfraz Bugti Condemns Terrorism, Calls for Protection of National Languages
Quetta: Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti has strongly condemned incidents of terrorism in the province, stating that political parties, including the National Party Pakistan, have suffered significant losses during the war against terrorism.
Addressing a session of the Balochistan Assembly on Friday, Bugti emphasized that protecting national and regional languages is the collective responsibility of all citizens. He also highlighted government efforts to improve governance and reduce unnecessary spending.
The chief minister said the provincial government saved around 14 billion rupees from non-development expenditures last year and abolished 435 unnecessary positions in the Chief Minister’s House. He added that a health insurance system worth 12 billion rupees has been introduced to provide better healthcare facilities to the public, while steps are also being taken for the welfare of government employees.
Bugti referred to the issue of missing persons, noting that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had also raised the matter in her last speech. He said the state has now developed a formal mechanism and legislation to address the issue, adding that the number of missing persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is higher than in Balochistan.
The chief minister stressed that political disagreements should not lead to disrespect among individuals. Addressing overseas self-proclaimed Baloch leaders, he urged them to “give respect and receive respect.” He further alleged that the Bashir Zeb Group has been responsible for the killing of 190 Baloch individuals.
Bugti said some elements are pushing Baloch youth toward what he described as a futile conflict. He added that meeting families of victims brings both grief and anger.
He concluded by stating that his first identity is as a Pakistani and then as a Baloch, reaffirming that ensuring the security and welfare of the people of Balochistan remains the government’s top priority.
