Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has emphasised the need for dialogue to address the province’s challenges, saying that the genuine grievances and development needs of its people must be understood and resolved.
Addressing the convocation ceremony of the University of Management and Technology (UMT) in Lahore on Saturday, Bugti said that the people of Balochistan were equal citizens of Pakistan and reaffirmed his commitment to the country, stating, “Our loyalty to Pakistan is unconditional.”
He stressed that issues related to deprivation, poverty and underdevelopment required serious attention and should be addressed through constructive engagement.
The chief minister identified three major challenges facing Balochistan: narratives used to justify violence, armed terrorism and efforts to influence young people’s thinking through social media.
Bugti said certain groups were creating confusion and promoting misleading narratives under the pretext of highlighting the grievances and genuine concerns of Balochistan’s population.
He maintained that issues such as poverty, lack of development and deprivation should not be used to justify or support separatist violence.
The chief minister also urged commentators and analysts discussing the situation in Balochistan to rely on facts and avoid promoting narratives that could legitimise violence.
