Balochistan CM urges balanced narrative amid security review

QUETTA: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Quetta on Saturday for a high-level meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti to review the province’s law and order situation, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior.

The chief minister briefed the meeting on the overall security situation, ongoing measures, and the provincial government’s future strategy. The statement said the meeting decided to further enhance the professional capacity of the Counter-Terrorism Force and Balochistan police, while expediting the implementation of measures aimed at strengthening the provincial police.

The interior ministry assured the provincial government of its full cooperation in providing the resources required for the purpose. Naqvi was quoted as saying, "The federal government will continue to provide all possible support for sustainable peace in Balochistan."

He also stressed the need for the immediate and effective implementation of the province’s peace restoration plan and called for making "full use" of the experience of former Balochistan police chiefs in formulating the law and order strategy. The interior minister said modern technology, improved intelligence, and coordinated action were essential in the fight against terrorism, adding that the "federation and the Balochistan government were moving forward in complete unity and coordination to establish peace."

CM says province progressing despite negative narratives

In a separate interview with a private television channel, CM Bugti said the security and governance situation in the province is neither entirely ideal nor as bleak as portrayed by some quarters outside the province. He warned that negative and one-sided narratives are harming not only Balochistan but also Pakistan’s image and the government’s efforts.

Bugti said the national media often focuses on Balochistan only when a violent incident occurs while overlooking the province’s progress, reforms, and development initiatives. He said the provincial government had launched several youth welfare programmes, improved services at public hospitals, made all government schools functional, and recruited nearly 17,000 teachers through a transparent, merit-based process. He regretted that these achievements had received little attention at the national level.

The chief minister said the creation of new divisions and districts was intended to strengthen governance and improve the delivery of public services. He explained that some existing administrative units were too large to be managed effectively, making it difficult for the state to reach remote communities. Smaller administrative units, he said, would ensure better governance, quicker resolution of public issues, and greater public access to government services.

Allegations of foreign support for militants

Discussing the security situation, CM Bugti said Pakistan enjoys the support of the international community in its fight against terrorism. He alleged that anti-Pakistan terrorist groups were receiving support from Afghan territory despite commitments that Afghan soil would not be used against other countries. He further claimed that the facilitators, financiers, and trainers of various terrorist groups were linked to an Indian intelligence network.

He acknowledged that Balochistan’s vast geography, rugged terrain, long borders, and scattered population make counterterrorism operations challenging. The statement said Bugti reiterated that the writ of the state would be established "at all costs" and that no space would be left for terrorists.

Key claims

  • Interior Minister Naqvi visited Quetta and chaired a high-level meeting with CM Bugti to review the law and order situation.
  • The meeting decided to enhance the professional capacity of the Counter-Terrorism Force and Balochistan police and expedite measures to strengthen the provincial police.
  • Naqvi said the federal government would continue to provide all possible support for sustainable peace in Balochistan.
  • CM Bugti said the provincial government had launched youth welfare programmes, improved hospital services, made all government schools functional, and recruited nearly 17,000 teachers through a transparent, merit-based process.
  • Bugti alleged that anti-Pakistan terrorist groups receive support from Afghan territory and that facilitators, financiers, and trainers of terrorist groups are linked to an Indian intelligence network.
  • The creation of new divisions and districts was intended to strengthen governance and improve public service delivery.