War Will Continue Until Last Terrorist Is Eliminated in Balochistan: CM Mir Sarfaraz Bugti
Quetta – Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has stated that the war against terrorism will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated from the province, affirming that the civil and military leadership are united and clear on the issue with no ambiguity or confusion.
He expressed these views on Saturday while speaking via video link with national media anchors, senior journalists, and other representatives at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. During the interaction, a detailed exchange of views took place on the overall situation of the province, development process, minerals and mining, law and order, political affairs, and government initiatives.
Prior to the interaction, important briefings were held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat regarding the province’s social and economic sectors, minerals and mining, and law and order, reviewing the provincial government’s strategy, ongoing projects, and benefits being delivered to the public. A briefing by the Ministry of Planning and Development highlighted the provincial government’s strategy for social and economic sectors, governance, service delivery, effective use of development funds, and measures to ensure development projects benefit the public. A briefing by the Ministry of Minerals and Resources shed detailed light on the potential of Balochistan’s minerals and mining sector, ongoing projects, and steps being taken for the sector’s development, noting that efforts are underway to better utilize mineral resources to generate economic and other benefits for the people of the province. The Ministry of Interior and Tribal Affairs briefed on the law and order situation, the Provincial Action Plan, police reforms, and progress on the merger of the Levies Force into the police. The Chief Minister was also informed about the Safe City project, legislation, and effective coordination among law enforcement agencies.
Following the briefings, a detailed question-and-answer session was held with the Chief Minister, in which national media representatives asked questions about the province’s overall situation, law and order, development, political affairs, and other important matters. Responding to the questions, CM Mir Sarfaraz Bugti explained the provincial government’s position and policy priorities. The Chief Minister said that security forces are performing their duties in difficult conditions in Balochistan, and state institutions are working with complete coordination in the war against terrorism. He stated that there will be no talks under any circumstances with those who take up arms against the state.
He said that it is not possible to control the entire province while sitting in Quetta, and if new provinces are to be created in Balochistan, they should be based on administrative, not linguistic, grounds. The Chief Minister said he was unaware of any two-and-a-half-year government agreement in Balochistan. The decision to change the government is for the political leadership to make, he said, adding that as long as he remains in office, he will continue serving the people.
Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said he cannot claim the complete elimination of corruption, but corruption has certainly decreased in Balochistan compared to the past. Steps are being taken to ensure the implementation of merit in all government departments, including educational institutions. He said development projects in Balochistan have been completed in record time compared to the past, and the provincial government’s focus is on making the development process effective, result-oriented, and aligned with public needs.
Speaking about the return of foreign nationals, the Chief Minister said that 1.1 million Afghan refugees and other foreigners have been sent back to their homeland from Balochistan. On the issue of missing persons, the Chief Minister said the matter has sometimes been presented on national media and other forums without proper context, which does not reflect the true picture of the situation. He made clear that terrorism is not a problem of one province alone but of all of Pakistan, and eliminating it requires joint efforts at the national level.
