Balochistan being pushed towards instability: CM

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has said that it is necessary to raise awareness about the historical facts related to Balochistan, emphasizing that Balochistan’s accession to Pakistan was based on mutual consent, and the notion of forced accession is a wrong propaganda.

While addressing the participants of the 14th National Workshop Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz said that labeling a limited area-oriented operation as a province-wide operation is incorrect. He clarified that in the past, operations were conducted on a limited scale in specific areas against insurgency, and it is necessary to correct these historical facts.

The chief minister added that Balochistan is being pushed towards instability in three ways: through violence that results in the killing of innocent people, through baseless propaganda on social media that spreads hatred against the state, and through negative social tactics that create societal instability. He stated that it is important to present Balochistan’s true image to the outside world, aligned with the facts.

The chief minister remarked that Balochistan’s backwardness is not due to external influences but the result of the mistreatment by its own people. He pointed out that neither Punjabis, Sindhis, Seraikis, nor anyone else has kept Balochistan backward; instead, its people themselves have contributed to this situation.

He also mentioned that priority measures are being taken to bridge the gap between the state and the youth of Balochistan. The first-ever Youth Policy has been developed, and scholarships are being provided to students from Balochistan for PhD studies at 200 top universities worldwide. He further stated that the provincial government will cover the education expenses of the top students from each district of Balochistan for their 16-year academic journey.

He also shared that a strategy has been formulated to train 30,000 young people in various skills over the next three years and send them abroad for employment.

The chief minister assured that young people will be provided interest-free loans if they come up with business plans. He added that efforts are underway to improve governance in Balochistan, including preventing the sale of government jobs, opening 100 closed schools in Pishin district, and revitalizing non-functional educational and health institutions across the province.

Anti-corruption measures have been activated, and investigations are underway into corruption complaints, starting with Kohlu and Dera Bugti.

The chief minister emphasized that the goal is to improve governance and restore the trust of the youth in the state. He urged the youth of Balochistan to decide whether they want to be part of a futile war or move forward in educational and social development.

During the workshop, participants asked the chief minister about various political, economic, social, governance, law and order, and development issues in Balochistan.