Good Governance Strengthens State, While Bad Governance Fuels Terrorism: Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti

QUETTA: Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, emphasized that bad governance fosters terrorism, while good governance leads to a stronger and more stable state. He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the Young Parliamentarians Forum Pakistan, led by President and MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar and General Secretary MNA Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani, at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Wednesday.
In the meeting, detailed discussions were held on Balochistan’s political, social, and security landscape. Welcoming the delegation to Quetta, CM Bugti highlighted the provincial government’s development policies, ongoing challenges, and reform initiatives. He stated that understanding Balochistan’s issues requires acknowledgment of its historical context.
“Discontent with the state does not justify taking up arms. The Constitution of Pakistan teaches unconditional loyalty to the state, and dialogue within constitutional boundaries can resolve all issues,” he said. CM Bugti clarified that Balochistan’s accession to Pakistan was based on consensus, approved by the Shahi Jirga through a majority vote. The narrative suggesting forced annexation contradicts historical facts, he added.
He stressed the need to counter external misperceptions about Balochistan with accurate and factual information. “We are promoting good governance in Balochistan by ensuring transparency and accountability at every level. By providing youth with access to education, employment, and development, we are strengthening their bond with the state,” the chief minister asserted.
Bugti also condemned the targeted killings of Punjabis, calling it a part of a deliberate conspiracy to damage national unity. Highlighting achievements in the education sector, he revealed that over 3,200 closed schools had been made operational in the past year. Furthermore, under the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Program, students from Balochistan are being sent to 200 top universities worldwide for PhD studies. Scholarships for minorities and transgender individuals have also been introduced for the first time.
He also noted that four women hold ministerial positions in the Balochistan cabinet, reflecting the government’s commitment to women empowerment.
MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar praised the provincial government’s performance under CM Bugti, stating that Balochistan is on a path of development and that its narrative symbolizes national unity and a strong Pakistan. Other members of the delegation echoed these sentiments, affirming that the province’s future is bright and that anti-state elements will not succeed.