Balochistan CM Says No Compromise on Merit Despite Political Pressure
**QUETTA:** Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that his government will strictly follow merit and transparency in appointments and administrative matters, making it clear that no political pressure will be allowed to compromise merit.
He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of Indus Hospital & Health Network, led by its President Dr. Abdul Bari Khan and Planning Commission Member Shabana Haider.
The meeting discussed matters related to the network’s projects in Balochistan, healthcare facilities in Dera Bugti, various collaborative initiatives in the health sector, and measures to provide quality medical services to the people of the province. Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar and Health Secretary Mujib-ur-Rehman Panizai were also present.
CM Bugti said that healthcare reforms and the provision of quality medical facilities were among the top priorities of the Balochistan government. He said providing better healthcare to poor and deserving people was a fundamental responsibility of the government, and all available resources were being utilized for this purpose.
He emphasized that improving the health sector required more than medical centers and modern equipment, saying trained and competent human resources were equally essential. He said the provincial government was committed to promoting meritocracy and appointing competent people to institutions to ensure professionalism and efficiency in the public sector.
The chief minister clarified that no recommendation had ever been made by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat for any appointment or posting. “We will work on merit. I am prepared to face political pressure, but there will be no compromise on merit,” he said.
CM Bugti said the provincial government was also willing to benefit from the experience and expertise of private and non-governmental organizations in the healthcare sector. He noted that collaboration with institutions such as Indus Hospital & Health Network could help improve healthcare facilities in remote areas and provide quality medical services to people at their doorstep.
During the meeting, proposals concerning the Indus Hospital & Health Network’s projects in Bakhter, Dera Bugti, healthcare facilities, human-resource training, improvement of the health system and future collaborative initiatives were reviewed.
The chief minister reaffirmed that coordinated measures would continue to modernize Balochistan’s healthcare system in line with contemporary requirements and ensure dignified, timely and quality medical services for the people.
