Terrorist attempts to impede Balochistan's development will be foiled 'at all costs', Zardari tells CM Bugti

President Asif Ali Zardari convened a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Wednesday, vowing to prevent terrorists from impeding the province's progress. Zardari declared that any attempts by foreign-supported terrorists to hinder development in Balochistan would be thwarted at all costs, adding that the eradication of terrorism from the region was imminent.

The meeting, held at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad, saw Bugti provide the president with an update on the province's current situation and development initiatives. Zardari emphasized the importance of effective coordination between the federal and provincial governments for ensuring peace, growth, and public welfare in Balochistan. The statement from the Presidency highlighted Bugti's presence along with Faryal Talpur, the president of PPP's women's wing, and Mir Ali Hassan Zehri, a former provincial minister from Balochistan.

The meeting took place amidst a backdrop of persistent terrorist activities and lawlessness in the region, including attacks on infrastructure. Just a week prior to the meeting, a crucial gas pipeline in Kacchi district's Bolan was destroyed by unknown assailants, disrupting supply to numerous towns and cities. Additionally, two 220kV high-voltage transmission pylons were targeted near the Uch Power Plant in Dera Murad Jamali on July 13, causing significant disruption to electricity supply in Quetta, Sibi, and other areas of Balochistan.

Security forces have been actively engaged in combating terrorism, recently killing nine terrorists during intelligence-based operations in various parts of Balochistan. In the past week alone, security forces eliminated ten terrorists and injured many more in Surab, Khuzdar district, following a series of operations in other districts.

The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies reported a sharp deterioration in the security situation in Balochistan last month, with a 241% increase in overall deaths, a 933% rise in security personnel fatalities, and an 18% surge in terrorist deaths.