Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated on Wednesday that a policy of appeasement, such as the one adopted towards the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, has consistently harmed the interests of the state, a lesson that holds true for Balochistan as well.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Supreme Court Bar Association, the chief minister said, “The policy of appeasement in reference to the prevalent situation in Balochistan has always damaged the cause of the state.” He also announced a Rs100 million grant for the association.
When asked about the incarceration of rights activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the chief minister alleged that her group had reportedly burned the Pakistani flag at their events, replacing it with the flag of an “independent Balochistan,” and played the so-called national anthem composed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army before their public meetings.
“Tell me, which country tolerates such advocacy on its soil?” he asked, adding that he wished to speak frankly about the province’s situation, but off-camera rather than before cameras.
CM Bugti acknowledged that bad governance and widespread corruption have worsened the province’s problems. However, he stated that the most serious challenge to the state is the violence perpetrated by individuals who “assassinate travelers, civilians or off-duty soldiers, and mercilessly kill Punjabi families in front of their womenfolk.”
He said an even greater challenge is the “false narrative” built on social media that portrays this violence as legitimate and aimed at securing people’s rights. He regretted that numerous foreign centers are engaged in spreading hate campaigns against Pakistan.
He noted that even political leaders hesitate to oppose the “separatists’ narrative” simply because the state’s position is unpopular.
Regarding the issue of missing persons, CM Bugti accused some political figures of exploiting the matter for political gain. He said his administration has addressed enforced disappearances through legislation that obliges security forces to inform families of any detained person, produce them before a magistrate within 24 hours, and house them in civilian centers subject to weekly medical inspections.
Meeting with Afghan Envoy
Separately, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti met with Afghanistan’s acting Consul General, Maulvi Muhammad Habib Nasir, on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing repatriation of Afghan refugees from Balochistan. The meeting focused on ensuring a humane, respectful, and well-coordinated return process.
CM Bugti assured him that all possible assistance was being provided to Afghan refugees.
