Naqvi, Bugti review Balochistan's security situation, vow stronger counter-terrorism measures

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Quetta on Saturday, where he chaired a high-level meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to review the province’s law and order situation.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, the chief minister briefed the meeting on the overall security situation, ongoing measures and the provincial government’s future strategy.

The statement said the meeting decided to further enhance the professional capacity of the Counter-Terrorism Force and Balochistan police, while expediting the implementation of measures aimed at strengthening the provincial police.

It said the interior ministry assured the provincial government of its full cooperation in providing the resources required for the purpose.

“The federal government will continue to provide all possible support for sustainable peace in Balochistan,” Naqvi was quoted as saying.

He also stressed the need for the immediate and effective implementation of the province’s peace restoration plan and called for making “full use” of the experience of former Balochistan police chiefs in formulating the law and order strategy.

The interior minister said modern technology, improved intelligence and coordinated action were essential in the fight against terrorism, adding that the “federation and the Balochistan government were moving forward in complete unity and coordination to establish peace”.

Bugti said the government would remain “one step ahead” in the fight against terrorism and would not come under any pressure. He reiterated that the writ of the state would be established “at all costs” and that no space would be left for terrorists, the statement said.

The chief minister said providing young people with education, skills, employment opportunities and opportunities for positive activities remained the government’s top priority, adding that promoting merit would help restore the confidence of the youth.

Bugti added that peace, development and prosperity were closely linked and pledged to pursue progress on both fronts simultaneously, adding that the implementation of law and order measures and development projects would be accelerated with the federation’s support.

Naqvi’s visit came amid heightened security concerns in Balochistan following a spate of major terrorist attacks earlier this month, which prompted a series of counter-terrorism operations across the province.

Among the counter-terrorism efforts was Operation Shaban, in which 91 terrorists were killed between July 5 and July 16, according to security sources cited by state media. This took the tally of terrorists eliminated in operations across the province during the period to 129. ...