CM Bugti engages public in online forum

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti took part in an open discussion on social media platform X and pushed back against what he described as false claims about the province, with particular focus on the issue of missing persons.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, more than 16,000 people joined the discussion, including sub-nationalists, NGO representatives and critics. The statement said the exchange was appreciated for its clarity and use of verifiable facts.

During the session, Mr Bugti said several projects were being carried out under the youth engagement plan to create better opportunities for young people in all districts, including Gwadar. He also said the provincial government had introduced pension reforms, framed an electric vehicles policy, cut unnecessary spending and carried out broad reforms in different departments.

The chief minister further said special funds had been set aside for higher education scholarships through the Education Endowment Fund. He also criticised the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, accusing it of trying to provoke violence. The CM Secretariat’s statement added that some observers saw Mr Bugti’s position as helping counter propaganda about Balochistan, while strong youth participation and support for the state narrative were described as evidence against what it called foreign-backed proxies.