CM Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti Addresses Key Issues Affecting Province
Quetta:Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, has addressed several critical issues affecting the province, highlighting that the root cause of insurgent activities in Balochistan is not poverty or underdevelopment, but rather internal factors. Speaking at the 14th National Workshop, Bugti stated that the province’s challenges are not due to the presence of outsiders but the failures of its own people.
### **Internal Challenges, Not External Forces**
Bugti emphasized that the province’s backwardness is not a result of neglect by people from other provinces, such as Punjabis, Sindhis, or Seraikis. Instead, he pointed out that it is the “oppression by our own people” that has contributed to the province’s struggles. He called for a more accurate understanding of Balochistan’s situation, particularly in relation to the way the region is portrayed on social media, which he believes spreads baseless propaganda and fosters hatred against the state.
### **Propaganda and the Need for Historical Clarity**
The Chief Minister also responded to claims about Balochistan’s historical integration into Pakistan. He clarified that Balochistan’s merger with Pakistan was based on mutual consent and not “forced annexation,” as is often claimed in certain narratives. Bugti criticized those who portray the limited operations carried out in response to insurgency in the past as large-scale military operations against the province. He emphasized the importance of correcting historical misconceptions to ensure a more accurate representation of events.
### **Addressing Social Unrest and Youth Empowerment**
Bugti acknowledged the challenges posed by social instability and the spread of violence, particularly targeting innocent lives. He outlined steps being taken to bridge the gap between the state and Balochistan’s youth. These measures, he said, aim to create opportunities for young people to engage in productive and peaceful activities.
One of the key initiatives announced by the Chief Minister is the introduction of a new youth policy, which includes providing scholarships to Balochistani students for PhD programs at the world’s top 200 universities. Bugti also revealed plans to send 30,000 youth abroad for employment over the next three years, focusing on skill development and vocational training. The provincial government will bear the cost of educational expenses for top students in each district, supporting their 16-year academic journey.
### **Reforms in Governance and Employment**
Bugti emphasized that governance reforms are underway in the province to ensure greater transparency and efficiency. He revealed that the provincial government had successfully stopped the sale of government jobs in Balochistan, a practice that had previously undermined the system.
He also highlighted the reopening of over 100 closed schools in Pishin, marking a step towards improving the province’s educational infrastructure.
### **A Call to Youth: Pursue Progress or Conflict?**
In his concluding remarks, Chief Minister Bugti called on Balochistan’s youth to make an important decision about their future. He stated that the province’s youth now face a choice: to either continue in the cycle of fruitless conflict or to focus on education, development, and social progress. Bugti reiterated that the government is committed to rebuilding trust between the state and the young population, offering them the tools and opportunities to shape a prosperous future for themselves and the province.
