Quetta: Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti chaired a high-level meeting on the establishment and functioning of a Centre of Excellence for Countering Violence, focusing on research, awareness, and preventive strategies to address extremism and societal violence in the province.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Home Hamza Shafqat, Inspector General of Police Balochistan Muhammad Tahir Khan, along with other senior civil and law enforcement officials.
Addressing the participants, the chief minister stated that baseless propaganda against the state fuels social unrest and violence, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to counter misinformation and extremist narratives. He emphasized that guiding youth in the right direction and informing them about factual realities is a critical need of the time.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti said the proposed Centre of Excellence would serve as an effective platform for research, public awareness, and counter-violence initiatives, enabling evidence-based policymaking and targeted interventions. He highlighted that institutional coordination and modern strategies are essential to counter extremism, particularly in a rapidly evolving information environment.
The chief minister noted that educational institutions and social media platforms would be used to promote positive narratives, aiming to counter hate speech and extremist content. He added that youth engagement and awareness-building are key government priorities for maintaining peace and order across the province.
During the meeting, the chief minister also referred to recent administrative reforms, stating that the Levies Force has been merged into the police across Balochistan, bringing an end to a long-standing administrative ambiguity regarding the enforcement of uniform law. He said the move ensures clearer state responsibility and strengthens the scope of public protection under a unified policing system.
Officials briefed the meeting on the proposed structure, objectives, and operational framework of the Centre of Excellence, as well as inter-departmental coordination mechanisms required for its effective functioning.
Participants agreed that a comprehensive approach—combining research, education, digital engagement, and law enforcement coordination—is necessary to address the root causes of violence and extremism. The meeting concluded with directions to finalize actionable plans for operationalizing the Centre of Excellence at the earliest.
