Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that the province’s foremost challenge is corruption, not security or the so-called insurgency.
Speaking at BUITEMS University in Quetta, the Chief Minister said corruption has weakened institutions, eroded public trust, and damaged the confidence of the youth. He emphasized that without transparency and accountability, true development and justice cannot be achieved.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that the province’s biggest challenge is not law and order or the so-called insurgency, but corruption, which has deeply affected institutions, the social fabric, and the confidence of the youth.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Inter-University Sports Festival held at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that the province’s security forces possess full professional capacity to deal with security challenges, but the real issue lies in eradicating corruption.
“Without eliminating corruption, development, justice, and good governance will remain impossible,” he emphasized.
Provincial Adviser for Sports and Youth Affairs Meena Majeed Baloch, Director General NAB Balochistan Nauman Aslam, and BUITEMS Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Hafeez also addressed the event.
CM Bugti said that for the first time, a Youth Policy has been introduced in Balochistan to empower young people.
“Our youth are the future of this country. They must reject propaganda against the state and contribute positively to Pakistan’s progress,” he said.
“You may have grievances over jobs or governance, but the state itself has committed no crime. Distancing from the state serves no purpose.”
The Chief Minister said his government had fulfilled its commitment to merit-based recruitment, hiring between 12,000 to 16,000 teachers in the education department purely on merit.
“We vowed that no job would be sold — and we have kept that promise,” he stated.
He pledged to revive sports activities across Balochistan, providing youth with healthy and constructive opportunities.
Bugti said that his government was strengthening accountability mechanisms at all levels, including the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team, the Anti-Corruption Establishment, and departmental oversight systems, in coordination with NAB.
“For the first time, accountability in Balochistan is free from political or personal influence. No call has ever gone from the CM Secretariat to protect anyone,” he said.
He cited an unprecedented example where the Chairman of the CM Inspection Team submitted a report against his own brother.
“This proves that the accountability process is independent and not influenced by relationships or pressure,” he remarked.
Bugti said that a “New Balochistan” is emerging — built on integrity, transparency, and rule of law. He urged the youth to make honesty and service their guiding principles.
“The real strength of the state is not the gun, but an educated, conscious, and honest generation,” he said.
“Corruption is not just financial misconduct — it also includes negligence, abuse of authority, and violation of public trust.”
The Chief Minister stressed that true patriotism lies in respecting the law, protecting national resources, and upholding transparency. He said the provincial government had launched institutional reforms to ensure transparency and was taking indiscriminate action against corrupt elements while encouraging honest officers.“If our youth unite against corruption today, we can build a transparent and strong Balochistan for generations to come,” he said.
He praised the organizers of the Inter-University Sports Festival — particularly Adviser Meena Majeed Baloch and Secretary Dara Baloch — for promoting positive youth activities.“Sports cultivate discipline, teamwork, and tolerance — qualities essential for building a corruption-free and healthy society,” he concluded.
