Quetta (6 AM Report) Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has stated that the province’s primary challenge is not law and order or so-called insurgency, but corruption, which has severely affected institutions, social structures, and youth confidence. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Inter-University Sports Festival 2025 at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) on Anti-Corruption Day, he emphasized that while security forces are fully capable of maintaining peace, meaningful development, justice, and good governance are impossible without tackling corruption.
The ceremony was attended by Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mina Majid Baloch, Director General NAB Balochistan Nauman Aslam, and Vice-Chancellor BUITEMS Prof. Dr. Khalid Hafeez.
CM Bugti highlighted that Balochistan has introduced its first-ever Youth Policy, stressing that the youth are the future of Pakistan and must resist anti-state propaganda. “Discontent with jobs or government policies is natural, but the youth must remain engaged with the state and work for the country,” he stated.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to merit-based employment, citing the recruitment of 12,000–16,000 teachers in the Education Department and the intention to extend merit-based reforms to all sectors. He also pledged to develop sports infrastructure and provide ample opportunities for healthy youth activities.
On anti-corruption measures, CM Bugti said the government has strengthened institutional accountability through NAB, the Chief Minister Inspection Team, the Anti-Corruption Establishment, and departmental oversight to ensure transparency at all levels. “No one is above the law. Even the Chairman of the Chief Minister Inspection Team submitted a report against his own brother, demonstrating the impartiality of accountability,” he noted.
Addressing the youth, he stressed that true power lies in educated, aware, and honest young people. He urged them to embrace honesty, integrity, and public service, warning that corruption encompasses not only financial misdeeds but also negligence of duties, misuse of working hours, and breach of public trust.
CM Bugti called on citizens to respect the law, perform duties diligently, safeguard national resources, and act with transparency, stating, “Love for the state is reflected in action, not slogans.” He noted that reforms against corrupt elements are ongoing and that promoting integrity among officials and rebuilding public trust are top priorities.
He praised the organization of the sports festival, saying that sports foster discipline, teamwork, and resilience among youth—qualities essential for a healthy and corruption-free society. CM Bugti concluded by urging collective action against corruption, stressing that it is a shared responsibility of the nation, and affirmed the government’s commitment to continue youth-focused initiatives such as youth summits to empower the next generation.
