Bugti: Baloch youth’s future lies in sports and jobs, not in the mountains

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said that the future of Balochistan’s youth lies not in the mountains but in sports grounds, job opportunities and a peaceful Pakistan. He said Baloch youth had been pushed into a futile war and handed guns, but the provincial government was taking practical steps to bring them into the mainstream by providing positive activities, jobs and opportunities for progress.

He was talking to the media on Friday at the final of the All Pakistan Chief Minister Balochistan Gold Cup Football Tournament at Ayub Stadium, Quetta. The Chief Minister said sports grounds would be kept active in all districts of Balochistan and major sporting events would be held regularly for young people.

The Chief Minister congratulated the Sports Department, the Provincial Minister for Sports, the Secretary Sports, the tournament organisers and the spectators on the successful holding of the final. He gave trophies to the winning and runner-up teams, including the champions, Afghan Club.

“Today is a day of great joy for Balochistan”

Mir Sarfraz Bugti said today was a day of great joy for Balochistan. He said keeping sports grounds active and giving young people opportunities for healthy activities were among the provincial government’s priorities. He said the government would hold major sporting events in all districts so that young people could prove their talent and sports could be promoted in the province.

He said the provincial government was launching job and livelihood programmes for young people. Young people must understand that their future lay not in terrorism and violence but in education, sports, jobs and building a peaceful society. He said Baloch youth had been turned away from the state through a particular and misleading narrative, handed guns and made part of a war from which they would gain nothing.

The Chief Minister said that in the past an attempt had been made to give the impression that representatives of the state could not go among the people. But today, he said, “we are present among the people and in contact with young people.” To bring young people into the mainstream, he said, it was necessary to keep sports grounds active, hold meaningful dialogue with them and ensure merit and an end to corruption.

He said the government gathered people to give them opportunities for sports, positive activities and joy, while terrorist elements gathered people to attack cities and take the path of violence. Addressing the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said people should be gathered for sports and entertainment fairs, not to storm the federal capital.

After the condition of Sadiq Shaheed Football Ground and the family park near it was pointed out, the Chief Minister ordered the Provincial Minister for Sports, who was present, to carry out immediate renovation and repair of both places so that players and urban families could get better facilities.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti made it clear that the government would continue its efforts for peace, stability and development in Balochistan. He said that in the war against terrorism the Balochistan government stood shoulder to shoulder with the state and state institutions and was ready to make every sacrifice to establish peace and security.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan