QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said the provincial government is prepared to engage in dialogue within the framework of Pakistan’s Constitution but will not negotiate with individuals or groups seeking to break up the country.
Addressing participants of the 20th National Workshop, the chief minister emphasized the importance of the state, saying national security and sovereignty could not be compromised.
“The state comes before everything else. There may be concerns regarding governance, but there can be no compromise on the security and integrity of the state,” Bugti said.
He stated that the government remains open to all forms of dialogue conducted within the constitutional framework, while making it clear that there could be no talks with those who advocate the disintegration of Pakistan.
According to the chief minister, anti-state elements are attempting to divide Pakistan and impose their ideology through violence and the use of weapons.
“Pakistan and Balochistan are inseparable, and this bond will remain strong forever,” he said.
Bugti also accused anti-state groups of spreading hatred and instability through violence, propaganda, and support for terrorism.
“Voices that promote violence, anti-state propaganda, and terrorism are creating hatred and unrest in the country. Every conspiracy aimed at weakening Pakistan will be defeated,” he said.
The chief minister rejected the view that terrorism is driven solely by underdevelopment or economic deprivation. Instead, he argued that extremist violence is rooted in a specific ideology that seeks to impose its beliefs through armed force.
“Terrorism is not merely the result of backwardness. It stems from a particular mindset that wants to enforce its ideology at gunpoint,” he said.
His remarks come as Pakistan continues efforts to address security challenges in Balochistan through a combination of counterterrorism operations, development initiatives, and political engagement.
The chief minister reiterated that while the government supports dialogue and political engagement within constitutional limits, it remains committed to safeguarding the country’s unity and responding firmly to threats posed by militant and anti-state groups.
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