Unemployment, Not Law and Order, Is Balochistan’s Biggest Challenge: CM Sarfraz Bugti
Quetta: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that unemployment, rather than law and order, is the province’s most pressing issue, citing findings from a recent independent survey.
Addressing the Balochistan Assembly during the budget session, Bugti acknowledged that the security situation in the province remains a concern and that the government, along with security forces, is working continuously to improve it. However, he said the survey showed that more than 60 percent of Balochistan’s residents consider unemployment to be the province’s biggest problem.
The chief minister stressed that tackling unemployment requires coordinated efforts by the federal government, provincial government, and private sector. He warned against actions that could reduce employment opportunities, describing such measures as unjust and unacceptable.
Bugti also voiced strong support for journalists and media workers, criticizing the closure of media bureaus in Balochistan. He said the provincial government, opposition parties, and the people of Balochistan stand with journalists and would continue to defend their rights.
“If media organizations close their bureaus in Quetta and Balochistan, they cannot claim to be national media outlets,” he said, adding that truly national media organizations should maintain a presence across all major regions of the country.
The chief minister said he would personally raise the issue with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif if the closure of media bureaus continues, in an effort to protect jobs in the journalism sector.
Referring to discussions with federal officials, Bugti urged Information Minister Attaullah Tarar to fulfill commitments regarding media operations in Balochistan. He also called on media owners to reopen closed channels and bureaus in the province.
Discussing budget negotiations with the federal government, the chief minister revealed that the provincial government had taken a firm stance to secure Balochistan’s financial rights. He said the province had lodged a strong protest with federal authorities and had even considered boycotting the budget session if its concerns were not addressed.
According to Bugti, without the successful negotiations, Balochistan would have been left with only Rs9 billion for development projects. He said the provincial government refused to compromise on the province’s rights and interests.
The chief minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for supporting Balochistan’s position during the discussions.
He concluded by reaffirming that the provincial government would continue to advocate strongly, yet respectfully, for Balochistan’s rights and development, expressing confidence that the province’s concerns would continue to be heard at the national level.
