QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said on Friday that young people are Pakistan’s future and the country’s greatest asset, and that they must be educated with accurate history and a strong national narrative.
Speaking to participants of the 18th Balochistan National Workshop, Bugti said Pakistan is a strong and resilient state and will endure. He said the state does not weaken and those who dream of dividing the country will fail.
Bugti said the state has never pursued a policy of indiscriminate use of force in Balochistan. He said limited and targeted actions should not be described as large-scale state operations.
He urged participants to distinguish between narratives promoted about Balochistan and realities on the ground. Bugti said organised disinformation campaigns on social media aim to create distance between youth and the state. He said young people are misled through psychological manipulation and structured recruitment tactics.
Bugti said violence and unrest will not weaken the state.
He said he remains ready to engage in dialogue with youth at every educational institution, university and national forum. He said he will answer even the toughest questions through reason, dialogue and facts.
Bugti urged young people to reject unverified negative narratives and adopt constructive, fact-based thinking.
Highlighting government performance, Bugti said the provincial administration is introducing a practical model of effective governance. He said poor governance fuels anti-state sentiment, while good governance strengthens stability.
He said more than 3,200 closed schools have reopened across Balochistan. He said basic healthcare services have reached several remote areas for the first time since Pakistan’s creation.
Bugti described the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Programme as the largest education initiative in Balochistan’s history. He said the programme includes scholarships for children of civilian martyrs, minorities and transgender persons.
He said students from Balochistan can now study science subjects at leading global universities. He said opportunities for PhD studies have opened at more than 200 international institutions.
Bugti said he will continue working for Balochistan’s development until his last day in office.
