President Asif Ali Zardari says terrorists will not be allowed to disrupt development in Balochistan as security forces intensify operations across the province.
ISLAMABAD — President Asif Ali Zardari has vowed that terrorist groups will not be allowed to undermine peace, development and public welfare in Balochistan, as the province continues to face attacks targeting security personnel and critical infrastructure.
Zardari made the remarks Wednesday during a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad. The meeting focused on the province’s security situation, development activities and measures being taken by the provincial government.
The president said sustained efforts would ultimately help eliminate terrorism from Balochistan and stressed that militant groups could not be permitted to derail development projects. He called for stronger coordination between the federal and provincial governments to improve security and ensure that development initiatives continue.
Bugti briefed the president on the latest security situation and ongoing development projects in the province. Zardari also underscored the need to provide adequate resources and public services to Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area.
The meeting comes as the province faces renewed security challenges. Recent attacks have targeted key infrastructure, including a gas pipeline in the Bolan area of Kacchi district, disrupting supplies to several towns and cities.
Electricity infrastructure has also come under attack. Armed assailants targeted high-voltage transmission facilities near the Uch Power Plant in Dera Murad Jamali, destroying two 220-kilovolt pylons and partially damaging two others. The incident affected electricity supplies to Quetta, Sibi and surrounding areas.
Security forces have meanwhile stepped up intelligence-based operations against militant groups. Officials said nine terrorists were killed during recent operations in Ziarat, Harnai and Surab, while previous operations in other parts of the province also resulted in militant deaths.
The security situation remains a major challenge for Balochistan. A recent assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies reported a significant rise in violence in the province during July, involving security personnel, militants and civilians.
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