Hyderabad: After participating in the Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Chief Minister Balochistan, Sardar Sarfraz Bugti, addressed the media, emphasizing the government’s commitment to peace and dialogue in the province.
“Anyone who wants to talk to the state should come with their weapons down — we will embrace them,” said Sarfraz Bugti, highlighting the open-door policy of the government towards dialogue. He stressed that the government and the state have never closed the doors for talks and urged everyone willing to communicate to come forward.
Bugti strongly condemned violence against innocent laborers, stating, “It is unacceptable to forcibly remove innocent workers from buses and start killing and looting.” He reassured that perpetrators would be brought to justice without exception.
The Chief Minister expressed that the Pakistan Peoples Party has always stood with the oppressed and victims of injustice. He also pointed out the disparity in media coverage regarding missing persons, noting that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has more missing persons than Balochistan, yet media focus remains skewed.
Addressing issues of terrorism, Bugti remarked, “From Karachi to Khyber, terrorism is called terrorism. Why then in Balochistan is terrorism given different names? Why differentiate among terrorists?” He reaffirmed the government’s firm resolve to establish complete peace in the region, adding, “The state has entrusted us with the responsibility to restore peace, and we will fulfill it.”
Bugti also pledged to uphold the trust of national leaders like Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari. “We are introducing a governance model aimed at delivering real benefits to the common man.”
He condemned the recent Digari incident as an act of cruelty and injustice, stating that tribal society is not inherently violent and expressing solidarity with the oppressed. The Chief Minister also assured improved facilities for Iranian pilgrims, including air and ferry services, while clarifying that the challenges faced by pilgrims are not merely security issues.
Recalling efforts over an 800-kilometer journey, Bugti said, “We have ensured complete security for pilgrims throughout their travel.”
Finally, the Chief Minister reiterated PPP’s long-standing commitment to press freedom and urged the media to avoid viewing Balochistan through the lens of just a few individuals.
