Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti met former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at the latter’s residence in Gulberg, Lahore, for wide-ranging talks on the situation in the restive southwestern province, officials said.
During the meeting, the chief minister inquired after Chaudhry Shujaat’s health and conveyed his best wishes for his recovery. Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain was also present on the occasion.
Talks Focus on Security and Development
The discussions covered several matters of mutual interest, with the two sides focusing on the law-and-order situation, ongoing development projects and issues affecting the public in Balochistan.
According to the accounts of the meeting, the leaders underscored the need for effective measures to promote the province’s development and prosperity. They also agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation to help address the problems confronting the people of Balochistan.
Meeting Follows Major Security Operations
The political consultations in Lahore came against the backdrop of an intensified security campaign in Balochistan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed more than 71 terrorists in operations across different areas of the province over the past 96 hours.
The military’s media wing said the operations were conducted against what it described as Indian-sponsored “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” in different parts of the province.
In the Shaban area of Quetta, security forces carried out what was described as a successful operation against terrorists, killing 33 of them so far. Multiple terrorist hideouts were also cleared during the operation, while a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was recovered, according to the ISPR.
Province at a Crossroads
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has long grappled with a complex mix of militancy, sectarian violence and developmental challenges. The meeting between the chief minister and the Chaudhry family, a prominent political dynasty in Punjab, signals continued efforts to build cross-provincial political consensus on tackling the province’s security and governance issues.
- Balochistan CM Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti met Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Gulberg, Lahore.
- Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain attended the meeting.
- Discussions covered law and order, development projects and public issues in Balochistan.
- The leaders agreed to enhance cooperation on addressing the province’s problems.
- Security forces reported killing over 71 terrorists in Balochistan over 96 hours.
- Thirty-three terrorists were killed in an operation in Quetta’s Shaban area, with hideouts cleared and weapons seized.
