Sarfraz Bugti tells Fazlur Rehman national security must not be sacrificed to politics

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said his personal relations with Maulana Fazlur Rehman are based on respect, and that he honours his political insight and experience.

However, he said, when comparing the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, particularly while commenting on terrorism, national security and the national and military leadership, it is necessary to keep in view the ground realities, the challenges facing the state and the ongoing struggle against terrorism.

Message on X

In a message on the social media site X, the Chief Minister said it was an established fact that Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his party had themselves been targeted in acts of terrorism. He said it was therefore expected that, while forming an opinion on this sensitive national issue, he would also take into account the state’s efforts against terrorism and the sacrifices of the security forces.

He said that, in comparing the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the measures taken against terrorism in the two provinces, the conduct of the political leadership and practical resolve should be considered.

Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that, despite political differences between the government and the opposition in Balochistan, the joint stand against terrorism was an important example of putting the national interest first.

In the Balochistan Assembly, the opposition is taken into confidence on the strategy against terrorism, important decisions and related matters. The government follows a policy of taking all parliamentary parties along, he said.

Leader of the Opposition Mir Younus Aziz Zehri has acknowledged this conduct on several occasions. A recent speech in the assembly by Mir Jehanzeb Mengal, parliamentary leader of the Balochistan National Party (Mengal), also reflects that the province’s political leadership accepts its responsibility and role in the war against terrorism.

The Chief Minister said the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, the National Party, the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) and other parliamentary parties hold a common stand against terrorism. This political harmony, he said, shows recognition of the need to view law and order and national security in Balochistan above political differences.

Sacrifices of security forces

The war on terrorism is not a matter of statements or political claims but a shared responsibility of the state and the entire nation. He said Pakistan was continuously struggling to end the grave threat of terrorism, and officers and soldiers of all security institutions, including the Pakistan Army, were making unparalleled sacrifices in this war.

Behind every martyrdom lies the grief of a family, the separation of parents and a story of unfulfilled dreams. These sacrifices demand that responsibility be shown when speaking on national security, and that the national struggle against terrorism not be allowed to fall victim to political differences.

Mir Sarfraz Bugti said Maulana Fazlur Rehman was a senior politician and his party had itself suffered human and political losses because of terrorism. In such circumstances, he said, while comparing the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, it was necessary to see what practical measures had been taken against terrorism in the two provinces, how far the political leadership was adopting a joint strategy and what the state of cooperation with state institutions was.

An unclear stand on terrorism, or ignoring the facts, could prove harmful to the national interest.

The Chief Minister said the province’s political leadership was aware that without lasting peace the goals of development, public welfare and economic stability could not be achieved. For this reason, a joint stand against terrorism is given importance despite differences of opinion between the government and the opposition.

This conduct shows that political differences are part of the democratic process, but consensus and cooperation are essential on matters of national security and public safety.

He said that, whether the debate was about the end of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its political and administrative consequences, or a review of the Balochistan government’s performance, facts, practical measures and the results delivered to the public should be the yardstick in every case.

Mir Sarfraz Bugti said criticism of political parties and governments was a democratic right. However, while speaking on a sensitive national issue such as terrorism, it was also necessary to keep in view the challenges facing the state, the sacrifices of the security forces and the grief of families affected by terrorism.

His stand is clear: the war on terrorism should be viewed above political affiliations and party differences. National unity, responsible talk by the political leadership, cooperation with state institutions and a stand based on ground realities are the path by which efforts to establish lasting peace in the country can be strengthened.

Addressing Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said national security is above politics. Difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy, he said, but, for God’s sake, do not sacrifice the state to politics.