Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday announced Rs. 10 billion in financial assistance for security forces operating in Balochistan, emphasizing Punjab’s support for peace and stability in the restive province.
The chief minister is currently on an official visit to Quetta, where she has attended a ceremony at the Frontier Corps (FC) Headquarters as well as met with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
During her meeting with her Balochistan counterpart, Mayam noted Bugti had requested the financial assistance, adding the funds aimed to strengthen security efforts in the province. Praising the people of Balochistan for their resilience and commitment to Pakistan, she said their attachment to Pakistan was commendable. She further said the Punjab government would extend all possible cooperation in addressing the challenges facing the province.
“We stand with Balochistan. The elimination of terrorism is possible through national unity, and we want to see peace, stability and prosperity in Balochistan,” she said.
Maryam also met Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail at Governor’s House in Quetta, discussing the country’s overall law and order situation, according to a statement. During their meeting, the governor highlighted the cordial relations between the federal government and provinces, stressing the need for concrete steps to promote inter-provincial harmony and strengthen mutual ties.
The Punjab chief minister assured the Balochistan governor of her continued contact and full cooperation in the future. Both leaders agreed on the importance of enhancing relations between provinces and promoting people-to-people connections.
Maryam’s ongoing visit to Balochistan follows a series of coordinated attacks targeting civilians in 12 towns of the province on Jan. 31. In response, security forces conducted a military operation, with the military’s media wing saying 216 India-sponsored terrorists were eliminated.
The attacks, claimed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army, resulted in the martyrdom of 36 innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as 22 security and law enforcement agencies personnel.