CM Sarfraz Bugti Urges Unity Against Terrorism, Says Anti-State Propaganda Aims to Mislead Public

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that while terrorists are involved in killings, violence, and the murder of innocent civilians, they are simultaneously running a misleading propaganda campaign to shift the blame for these crimes onto the state and its institutions.

Speaking during a meeting with participants of a sit-in and the families of victims near B.A. Mall in Quetta, the chief minister urged the patriotic people of Balochistan to reject the enemy’s narrative and stand shoulder to shoulder with state institutions for national unity, peace, and stability.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Quetta Commissioner Shahzaib Kakar, and other senior officials.

Bugti said he had remained in continuous contact with the protest committee since the first day and had made every effort to resolve the issue peacefully, respectfully, and on a lasting basis. He added that he shares long-standing ties of mutual respect with the affected families and their elders and would continue to stand by them.

The chief minister said terrorists brutally kill unarmed civilians, destroy families, and orphan innocent children while simultaneously attempting to create distrust between the public and state institutions through false propaganda. He stressed that the same security institutions are sacrificing their lives every day to protect the people and defend the country.

Referring to the recent martyrdom of Pakistan Army personnel in Lasbela, Bugti said the fallen soldiers were sons, husbands, and the hopes of their families who sacrificed their lives for the peace of Balochistan, the security of Pakistan, and the protection of future generations.

He further stated that Pakistan is facing multiple international conspiracies, including efforts to destabilize the country through terrorism and violence, as well as campaigns aimed at falsely blaming state institutions for such crimes to mislead the public.

The chief minister urged citizens to remain vigilant against false narratives and negative propaganda intended to weaken national institutions. He added that if the government had committed any shortcomings at any level, they would be acknowledged and addressed, and every possible effort would be made to provide justice and support to the affected families.

Bugti said that important decisions had been taken during the Balochistan Apex Committee meeting attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and assured that those decisions would be fully implemented.

He announced that the families of the martyrs would receive financial compensation, government jobs would be provided to eligible family members, and the Government of Balochistan would bear all educational expenses of the martyrs’ children.

The chief minister reaffirmed that the people of Balochistan are patriotic and that defeating anti-state conspiracies is a shared responsibility of the government, the public, and state institutions. He pledged that the provincial government would continue taking every possible measure to protect lives and property and ensure lasting peace in the province.

According to Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information and Political Affairs Shahid Rind, negotiations with the protest committee were successful. Following the talks, the committee and the families of the victims announced the end of the sit-in after expressing confidence in the assurances given by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.