Addressing the provincial assembly in Quetta, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated that no individual or group has the right to take up arms and resort to violence and bloodshed.
He emphasized that the state operates under the Constitution and the law, and using force to press demands cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Sarfraz Bugti said that for the past three decades, an organized propaganda campaign has been carried out against the state, attempting to link terrorism with deprivation and underdevelopment. He questioned how terrorism could be associated with deprivation, adding that imbalanced development cannot be used as a justification for violence and unrest.
He further stated that certain elements are trying to create a so-called Baloch narrative to destabilize the country, while in reality such groups are acting against the interests of both the province and the state. Referring to extremist elements, he said they have no genuine connection with religion and merely use its name to pursue their own agendas.
The Chief Minister asserted that issues of development disparity cannot be equated with terrorism, nor can anyone be allowed to hold the state hostage at gunpoint. He stressed that grievances and demands, if any, should be presented through constitutional and political channels.
Sarfraz Bugti urged all stakeholders to abandon chaos and disorder and come to the negotiation table to discuss various issues. He reiterated that the state is open to dialogue, but such talks cannot take place under the threat of violence. He concluded that peace, stability, and development are essential for Balochistan’s future, and the government remains committed to achieving these goals.
