Governor Balochistan Emphasizes Provincial Responsibility for Peace and Development

Quetta (UNA) – Governor of Balochistan, Sheikh Jaffer Mandokhel, stated in a media interaction that maintaining peace in the province is the responsibility of the provincial government, not the federal government. He highlighted that Balochistan has been a conflict zone since 1979, and external forces have played a role in destabilizing the region’s peace and security.

Governor Mandokhel expressed that he did not believe the provincial government had reached a point where it could boast about its performance, stating that there were still many challenges to overcome and much more work to be done. He acknowledged the financial struggles of the federal government, explaining that the federal government’s total income is 10 trillion rupees, with a significant portion of it going toward debt repayments. Consequently, he mentioned that if the federal government were to clear its outstanding dues to Balochistan, alternative sources of funds would need to be arranged.

On the topic of infrastructure development, Governor Mandokhel emphasized that the federal government should directly provide funding for Balochistan’s development projects. He expressed concerns that if these funds were handed over to the provincial government, there could be doubts about their proper utilization.