Panjgur DC martyred by banned Baloch outfit: Sarfaraz Bugti

QUETTA: The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, said on Thursday that intelligence information and evidence indicate that the Deputy Commissioner of Panjgur, Zakir Baloch, was martyred by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

He emphasized that there is no sympathy for those who receive funds from the Indian agency RAW to kill innocent people. The family of the martyred Zakir Baloch will not be left alone, with the Balochistan government providing a job to his widow according to her qualifications and covering the education expenses of his children. He announced that the Government College in Hoshab would be named after the martyred Zakir Ali Baloch. The Balochistan government values its martyrs and will not abandon their families; a systematic approach will be taken to care for them. We must support the families of these martyrs.

While addressing a press conference at the CM Secretariat, he condemned the killing of a woman with a hand grenade on August 13, questioning how such an act aligns with Baloch traditions. The Chief Minister of Balochistan stressed that the youth must be made aware that those who commit such acts are enemies of the country and are funded by RAW. Denouncing the killing of DC and a woman, Sarfraz Bugti stated that such actions are against Baloch traditions and that the government will not tolerate any acts against the state. The chief minister further mentioned that the government has intelligence reports and evidence that the banned BLA was involved in the incident, which was similar to an earlier incident in Nushki. Mir Sarfaraz Bugti also announced the establishment of 21 centres in Balochistan on Independence Day and thanked Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and other members of parliament for their support. He also discussed the West Management Project in Quetta, which was inaugurated without any cost to the government. Bugti mentioned that the crisis related to passports in Chaman was resolved through negotiations and nine crore rupees were allocated for the issue.

CM Bugti stressed that the government’s focus is on providing education and business opportunities to the youth, particularly the children of labourers, who will be sent to Islamabad for 16 years of education, after which they will serve in various fields. He mentioned that the Balochistan government is working on a reform agenda that will soon lead to significant breakthroughs, including the improvement of outdated laws. The government plans to equip 30,000 youth in Balochistan with skills and send them abroad so they can contribute to their families, province, and country.

Addressing the issue of unemployment in Balochistan, Bugti said that to control this growing problem, the government will provide business opportunities and employment abroad for the youth. Opportunities will also be provided to students who topped in their districts. He appealed to the public not to become part of conspiracies. Bugti also mentioned that three agreements were made with the Baloch Solidarity Committee, but all were broken by the committee. Despite this, the government has shown restraint. He reiterated that while the government is open to negotiations, it will not compromise on the state’s authority. There will be no sympathy for those involved in terrorism, and despite offers, those who challenge the state’s authority and kill workers and ordinary people will be dealt with harshly.

Responding to questions, Bugti emphasized that the government desires to manage borders, which is their constitutional right. However, if there are issues, the government is open to dialogue. He reiterated that they are willing to talk people of Chaman.

He deplored that the entire Balochistan knows that money was given for positions at Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, and the officers appointed at the divisional level are known for their integrity. However, only those who meet the merit criteria will be hired. Recruitment for these positions will be based on merit, CM Bugti vowed.