President Asif Ali Zardari met Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Wednesday and strongly declared that any attempt by terrorists to block progress in the province will be stopped at every cost. The meeting took place at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad.
According to a statement from the Presidency, President Zardari said foreign-backed terrorists trying to hinder development in Balochistan will face firm action. He expressed confidence that the day is near when terrorism will be completely removed from the province.
Chief Minister Bugti briefed the president about the current situation in Balochistan and the steps being taken to promote development. President Zardari stressed that close coordination between the federal and provincial governments is essential for lasting peace, progress, and public welfare. He added that Pakistan’s largest province by area deserves special attention and greater resources.
Faryal Talpur, president of the PPP women’s wing, and former Balochistan minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri also attended the meeting.
The discussion came at a time when Balochistan continues to face repeated terrorist attacks on key infrastructure. Just a week earlier, unidentified attackers blew up a major gas pipeline in Kacchi district’s Bolan area, cutting supply to several towns and cities. On July 13, two 220kV high-voltage transmission pylons near the Uch Power Plant in Dera Murad Jamali were destroyed and two others partially damaged, disrupting electricity to Quetta, Sibi, and other parts of the province.
Security forces have responded with intelligence-based operations across the region. In recent actions, nine terrorists were killed in Ziarat, Harnai, and Surab. Two more were killed and three injured in Killi Zaik, while seven were eliminated in Kharan’s Lajay area. Ten terrorists were killed in Khuzdar’s Shor Pard area, and at least 18 were neutralised in Surab, including eight who died in a premature blast.
A recent report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies showed that Balochistan suffered the sharpest rise in violence last month. Overall deaths jumped from 109 in June to 372 in July. Security personnel fatalities increased from six to 62, terrorist deaths rose from 75 to 238, and civilian deaths climbed from 28 to 54. Eighteen members of peace committees were also killed.
The president’s firm message underlines the government’s commitment to safeguarding Balochistan development and restoring lasting peace for its people.
