Naqvi and Bugti agree to step up Balochistan counter-terror measures

QUETTA: Federal and provincial authorities agreed on Saturday to strengthen counter-terrorism arrangements in Balochistan during a high-level meeting in Quetta led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior.

The statement said Bugti briefed participants on the province’s overall law and order situation, steps already under way and the provincial government’s future approach. The meeting decided to improve the professional capacity of the Counter-Terrorism Force and the Balochistan Police, while speeding up measures intended to reinforce the provincial police setup.

The interior ministry told the provincial government it would provide full cooperation in meeting resource requirements for that effort. Naqvi also called for immediate and effective execution of Balochistan’s peace restoration plan and said the experience of former Balochistan police chiefs should be fully utilised while shaping the law and order strategy.

He said the campaign against terrorism required modern technology, better intelligence and coordinated action. According to the statement, Naqvi said the federal government would continue backing efforts aimed at lasting peace in the province.

The federal government will continue to provide all possible support for sustainable peace in Balochistan,

The statement also quoted Naqvi as saying that the federation and the Balochistan government were moving ahead in full unity and coordination to restore peace.

Bugti said the government would stay one step ahead in the fight against terrorism and would not yield to pressure. The statement said he reaffirmed that the writ of the state would be enforced at all costs and that no room would be left for terrorists.

The chief minister also said the government’s foremost priority was to give young people access to education, skills, jobs and constructive activities. He added that promoting merit would help rebuild young people’s confidence.

According to the statement, Bugti linked peace with development and prosperity, and said progress on security and development would be pursued together. He added that, with federal support, implementation of law and order measures and development schemes would be accelerated.

Visit comes after recent attacks

Naqvi’s trip took place against the backdrop of increased security concerns in Balochistan after a series of major terrorist attacks earlier this month. Those incidents were followed by multiple counter-terrorism operations across the province.

Among them was Operation Shaban, in which 91 terrorists were killed between July 5 and July 16, according to security sources cited by state media. That brought the total number of militants killed in operations across Balochistan during that period to 129.