QUETTA
\nBalochistan\u2019s newly-elected Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti Saturday reaffirmed the provincial government\u2019s plan to continue engaging in dialogue with those involved in armed insurgency.
\nBugti extended the olive branch to dissidents in his victory speech after being elected as the province\u2019s chief executive. \u201cDeterrence and dialogue are the two options that the government has to address the [law and order] situation in Balochistan,\u201d he said while calling on armed groups to join the mainstream politics and play their role in the province\u2019s development.
\nThe chief minister, in his speech, urged the Baloch insurgents to continue their struggle while adhering to the Constitution of Pakistan, stressing that there will be no compromise on the state\u2019s writ.
\nHe noted that those fighting for their \u201crights\u201d can only achieve their goals via the parliamentary route and not armed struggle.
\nBugti, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader, was elected unopposed as the leader of the house by 41 votes. Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai chaired the session. The chief minister was sworn in as the province\u2019s chief executive by Governor Abdul Wali Kakar in a ceremony held at the Governor House.
\nExpressing gratitude to those who voted for him, including the opposition parties, Bugti underscored that the fact that the speaker, deputy speaker and the leader of the house were elected \u201cunopposed\u201d has given a \u201cmessage of consensus\u201d at a time when the province is going through difficult times.
\nCommenting on the PPP\u2019s role as a party that represents the federation, the chief minister claimed that it is only the Bilawal Bhutto-led party that can address and solve the crises that have gripped the country.
\n\u201cI have faith that Asif Ali Zardari will steer the country out of the crises,\u201d Bugti said while stressing the need for reconciliatory politics in present times.
\nTerming governance, terrorism and climate change as the leading issues faced by the province, the chief minister went on to provide a roadmap with regard to the government\u2019s strategy to tackle these challenges.
\nOn the issue of governance, Bugti stressed that the legislators and the province\u2019s bureaucracy need to own up and not blame others for their shortcomings.
\n\u201cHow long will we blame other people?\u201d he questioned during his speech.
\nAnnouncing the enforcement of an emergency in the education sector, the CM reassured that his government would give a comprehensive plan of action with regard to reforms to improve the province\u2019s education system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
QUETTA Balochistan\u2019s newly-elected Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti Saturday reaffirmed the provincial government\u2019s plan to continue engaging in dialogue with those involved in armed insurgency. Bugti extended the olive branch to dissidents in his victory speech after being elected as the province\u2019s chief executive. \u201cDeterrence and dialogue are the two options that the government has to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":391129,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-391112","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n