Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti Monday said the province would not be separated from Pakistan through violence or terrorism, pledging that the government would continue pursuing peace, stability and development despite attacks by militant groups.
Addressing a condolence reference marking the eighth death anniversary of Nawabzada Mir Siraj Khan Raisani, Bugti said efforts to blame the state for terrorism and attacks on civilians were part of what he called an enemy conspiracy.
“The path of Pakistan and Balochistan is the path of peace, stability and development, and we will never retreat from it,” he said.
Bugti said he was prepared to make any sacrifice for the province.
“If my life can resolve the problems of Balochistan, I am ready to give it,” he said.
The chief minister paid tribute to Raisani, saying his mission would continue and that his sacrifice remained a source of inspiration for the nation.
He said Pakistan’s armed forces, Frontier Corps, police and other security agencies were sacrificing their lives to restore peace in the province.
“We have stood with our brave security forces and will continue to stand with them,” Bugti said.
He said terrorists could obstruct Balochistan’s development and prosperity but could not achieve their broader objectives through violence.
Bugti accused hostile elements of trying to mislead Balochistan’s youth and said the government would respond by expanding education, health services and sustainable development opportunities.
Addressing what he described as foreign sponsors of militancy, Bugti said the killing of leaders such as Raisani would not weaken support for Pakistan.
“A Siraj Raisani will rise from every home,” he said.
The chief minister said holding office was not his primary objective and that serving the people of Balochistan remained his main goal.
He said the government’s top priorities were the protection of citizens, restoration of peace and long-term development across the province.
Bugti also criticised political activity following terrorist attacks, saying the deaths of civilians and security personnel should not be used for political advantage.
He said he was ready to accept legitimate demands from the families of victims but regretted what he called politics over bodies.
The chief minister referred to recent attacks in Mashkel and on the residence of Mir Shafiqur Rehman Mengal, saying the victims’ families had buried their dead without staging protests for political purposes.
He said labourers had recently been killed in Mashkel, but their families had not organised sit-ins.
Bugti said Mengal had also buried those killed in the attack on his residence rather than using the incident for political mobilisation.
“If politics over bodies had been the objective, Mir Shafiqur Rehman Mengal would have staged a sit-in instead of burying the martyrs,” he said.
The chief minister said resignations following major attacks, including the Khadkocha incident, the Aug. 8 tragedy and the Police Lines attack, had not resolved the province’s problems.
He said practical measures, rather than symbolic political actions, were needed to improve security and governance.
Bugti invited the opposition to criticise his administration, performance and handling of provincial affairs but urged political parties not to use the sacrifices of victims and security personnel for political purposes.
“The opposition should point out my shortcomings, but politics over the bodies of martyrs is not appropriate,” he said.
Bugti said he had visited families affected by the Babri, Hanna, Arak and Ziarat incidents to express solidarity.
He said the provincial government and the Balochistan Assembly would fulfil their constitutional responsibilities and address all legitimate demands of the families of those killed.
The chief minister said he was ready to take every possible step to establish peace and protect the lives and property of people across Balochistan.