Balochistan Chief Minister Bugti rejects dialogue with those who took up arms
Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Balochistan province Sarfraz Bugti said that the authorities would not hold dialogue with those who had taken up arms against the state. He also noted that it was impossible to control the entire province while being only in its administrative center, Quetta, Dawn reports.
Bugti made the statement during a video meeting with television hosts, senior journalists and other media representatives at the chief minister’s secretariat. According to him, the fight against terrorism in Balochistan will continue until the “last terrorist” is eliminated.
Security situation
The head of the provincial government stated that Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership are united on countering terrorism. According to him, there is no ambiguity or misunderstanding on this matter.
Bugti noted that security forces are working in difficult conditions, while state institutions are fully coordinating their actions in the fight against terrorism. The Ministry of Home and Tribal Affairs also briefed him on the law-and-order situation, the provincial action plan, police reform and the progress of integrating the Levies Force into the police.
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The chief minister was presented with information about the Safe City project, legislation and coordination between law enforcement agencies. Before the meeting with journalists, he also received briefings on the socioeconomic development strategy, public administration, service delivery and the use of funds for development projects.
Administrative changes
Bugti commented on the possible creation of new provinces in Balochistan. In his view, such administrative units should be created on an administrative rather than linguistic basis. Earlier, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that parliament could discuss the issue of new provinces next month.
The chief minister also said that he was unaware of any agreement regarding the Balochistan government serving for two and a half years. He noted that a decision to change the government should be made by the political leadership, and that his cabinet would continue working as long as it remained in office.
According to Bugti, 1.1 million Afghan refugees and other foreigners were returned from Balochistan to their homeland. He also said that the issue of missing persons is sometimes covered in national media and on other platforms without proper context.
