Balochistan Apex Committee Vows Crackdown on Smuggling, Illegal Transfers, and Extortion

Quetta:The 19th meeting of the Balochistan Provincial Apex Committee was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti. The meeting was attended by Corps Commander Balochistan Lt. General Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan along with other senior military and civil officials.

The committee conducted a detailed review of the overall security situation, law and order, and key public interest issues in the province. It was decided to intensify the ongoing anti-smuggling campaign, with strict action to be taken against transport companies involved in smuggling. FIRs will also be lodged against responsible drivers.

The committee directed authorities to finalize the rules under the Anti-Terrorism Act without delay and clarified that no road will be allowed to be blocked under the guise of protest. “The state stands with the common man,” the committee affirmed.

Instructions were also issued to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take effective action against those involved in illegal money transfers and to speed up action against social media accounts spreading anti-state propaganda.

To encourage investment in the mining sector, the committee resolved to completely eliminate extortion. It was also decided to intensify operations against illegal immigrants and to improve the response mechanism of police and Levies against terrorism.

The Home Department briefed the committee on the digitization process of the Fourth Schedule system. On development matters, the committee approved key projects including:

* Expansion of the national highway on Bolan Route and construction of Dera Murad Jamali Bypass to be undertaken by the provincial government.
* National Highway Authority (NHA) directed to complete the Western Bypass Quetta by December 25.
* LHS petroleum tankers to be restricted from entering residential areas.
* Frontier Corps (FC) to provide security for the Pat Feeder Canal project in Dera Bugti.
* Acceleration of work on the Chaman Master Plan and activation of district development committees.

The committee also resolved to celebrate Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day and “Markaz-e-Haq” Day with full national spirit.

Addressing the meeting, CM Bugti declared a firm stance against smuggling, illegal remittances, and extortion. He emphasized that no roadblock in the name of protest would be tolerated, stating, “The constitution stands with the patient fighting for life in an ambulance.”

He directed FIA to intensify operations against elements involved in subversion against the state and stressed the urgent need to protect youth from drugs and extremist propaganda.

He further warned that if the NHA delayed road projects, the provincial government would build them independently in the public interest. The provincial government has allocated Rs. 1.7 billion for the expansion of the Bolan Route, and the NHA representative committed to starting the project by the end of this month and completing it within six months.

Chief Minister Bugti concluded by saying that full implementation of the Apex Committee’s decisions will lead Balochistan towards sustainable development and lasting peace.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Home Hamza Shafqat, Additional Chief Secretary Development Zahid Saleem, IG Police Balochistan Moazzam Jah Ansari, and other senior officials.