The 20th session of Balochistan’s Provincial Apex Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Thursday, reviewed the province’s security landscape, development progress, and public welfare initiatives, while approving major measures to curb organized financial crimes and improve governance.
The high-level meeting, attended by Corps Commander Balochistan Lt Gen Rahat Naseem Ahmad Khan, provincial ministers Mir Saleem Khan Khosa, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, and senior civil and military officials, conducted an in-depth assessment of law and order and the implementation status of previous decisions.
A key outcome of the session was the approval of a province-wide crackdown against organized extortion networks, gold smuggling rings, and illegal money transfer systems such as hundi and hawala. Officials voiced serious concern over the underperformance of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Balochistan and directed the agency to intensify action against white-collar criminals and extortion groups through more effective, coordinated operations.
In a major policy shift aimed at addressing healthcare disparities, the committee decided that all MBBS graduates would be required to complete a minimum three-year service posting in their respective home districts to strengthen medical coverage in rural and underserved areas.
The committee also imposed a blanket ban on anti-state and hate-promoting publications, declaring such material a threat to national security. Relevant departments were tasked with pursuing coordinated operations under a comprehensive strategy to curb the circulation of such content.
Reviewing key public issues, Chief Minister Bugti expressed dissatisfaction over persistently low gas pressure in Quetta and directed the SSGC general manager to ensure immediate resolution. He added that formal communication would be sent to the federal ministry regarding gas load-shedding to secure lasting relief for citizens.
The apex committee expressed overall satisfaction with measures taken so far to maintain law and order and reinforce the writ of the state, while emphasising the need for sustained efforts to counter emerging security and financial crime challenges across Balochistan.
