QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, while addressing the participants of the 16th National Workshop Balochistan, stated that 99.99% of recruitments in the health and education sectors were made on merit.
The chief minister said the provincial government is actively providing both national and international scholarships to students, aiming to empower the youth through education. He emphasized that the government has revived the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT) and the Anti-Corruption Department to curb corruption and ensure transparency.
“We are introducing reforms in governance and service delivery systems,” Bugti added.
Speaking on the province’s complex challenges, the chief minister highlighted the importance of understanding the historical context. “One cannot resolve Balochistan’s issues without knowing its past,” he said. “The general perception of Balochistan in other parts of the country often contradicts the ground realities.”
Recalling Balochistan’s political history, Bugti noted that Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri supported separatism, while Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo believed in democratic struggle. He assured that the provincial government would engage with disillusioned youth, listen to their concerns, and bring them back into the national fold.
“Whether it is in the name of nationalism or religion, terrorism remains terrorism,” Bugti asserted. “Those who fight the state dream of a separate country on the basis of Baloch identity.”
He criticized the narrative that portrays localized incidents as widespread rebellion. “Labeling a limited operation in Kalat as a province-wide campaign is misleading,” he said. “Without historical awareness, accurate analysis is impossible.”
The chief minister said that the provincial government has formulated a Provincial Action Plan for Peace and strengthened the response mechanisms. He stressed that terrorists cannot hold even an inch of territory permanently, as their only objective is to spread fear.
“Baloch youth are being dragged into a futile war,” he warned. “Security forces are operating in grey zones where identifying friend from foe is difficult.”
Bugti also highlighted legislative progress regarding missing persons, stating that the provincial government has enacted comprehensive laws. Referring to recent cases of brutal killings of men and women, he said, transparent investigations are underway.
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“We stand with the oppressed,” he affirmed. “We will pursue justice through all legal means.”
