Special In-Camera Meeting on Balochistan’s Deteriorating Law and Order Situation

Quetta:A special in-camera meeting was held yesterday under the chairmanship of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the province. The meeting, attended by provincial assembly members, government ministers, and officials, also saw the presence of Leader of the Opposition Mir Younis Aziz Zehri and Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman.

The Balochistan Assembly session began at 3 PM on Monday. After half an hour, Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti presented a motion under Rule 170D of the Provincial Assembly Rules of Procedure 1974, proposing the assembly hall be declared a “House of the Whole” for the in-camera briefing, which was approved.

Before the in-camera briefing, ministers were asked to leave their mobile phones outside, and the assembly staff was also asked to step out. Media representatives were not allowed into the assembly premises.

During the in-camera session, Additional Chief Secretary for Home Affairs Shahabuddin and Inspector General of Police Balochistan Moazzam Jah Ansari briefed the members. They outlined the reasons behind the rise in terrorist incidents and identified the elements responsible for the worsening law and order situation in the province. The briefing also included information on the human and financial losses caused by terrorism.

In response to questions from opposition members, the government provided answers during the session. After the meeting, while speaking to the media, Leader of the Opposition Mir Younis Aziz Zehri expressed satisfaction with the briefing. He stated, “Something better is going to happen for Balochistan, and whatever happens will be for the betterment of the people. There is no operation planned in Balochistan.”

Balochistan Assembly member Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman explained that the meeting focused on the province’s deteriorating security situation, after which opposition members proposed 10 to 15 recommendations to the government.

Among the key suggestions were negotiations with disgruntled Baloch groups, the necessity of creating a conducive environment for talks, and urging the government to reconsider its approach and avoid public confrontations. Maulana Hidayat also emphasized the importance of providing employment opportunities for the province’s youth, ensuring justice, and restoring cross-border trade.

He mentioned that the government had listened to their suggestions seriously and assured that steps would be taken. Regarding the negotiations with disgruntled Baloch groups, Maulana Hidayat noted that while the government is open to talks, no progress has been made from the other side. “Your proposals have been taken into account and serious steps will be taken,” he added.

When asked about the ongoing operations in the province, Maulana Hidayat confirmed that the matter was not discussed in the meeting, and no final decision was made. However, he assured that more such sessions would be held in the future.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, leader of the National Party, and former Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani, associated with the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, were not present at the in-camera briefing.