QUETTA: The Balochistan Apex Committee in its 16th meeting on Monday took important decisions regarding the improvement of law and order, eradication of terrorism and smuggling, the second phase of repatriation of illegal immigrants and foolproof security of the Chinese working on CPEC projects.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Commander-XII Corps Lt Gen Rahat Naseem Khan jointly chaired the meeting. It was attended by Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Mir Ziaullah Langove, Chief Sec­re­tary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Zahid Saleem, Inspector General Abdul Khaliq Shaikh, Chief Collector Customs Balochistan Abdul Qadir Memon and other senior civil and military officials.

The meeting, while reviewing the work on the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects, decided to strictly implement the existing SOPs for the foolproof security of the Chinese nationals working on the projects initiated under CPEC in Balochistan.

“All possible steps would be taken for the security of the Chinese nationals working in the province,” it vowed. 

Assures Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects of foolproof security

The participants of the meeting agreed on initiating massive actions to stop smuggling by removing administrative and legal lacuna. It was also decided to take meaningful steps for stopping cross-border smuggling of sugar, fertiliser, petrol and diesel. 

The apex committee decided to stop smuggling of non-customs paid vehicles from the border areas with Afghanistan.

Mr Saleem, the additional chief secretary, presented data of Afghan nationals who were sent back, saying they were living in Balochistan illegally without any legal documents.

He said the timetable for reparation of Afghan immigrants has been linked with the decision and guidelines of the federal government.

Speaking at the meeting, CM Bugti said peaceful Balochistan is a guarantee of stable Pakistan. He said the fight against terrorism is not confined to the security forces and militants, but it involves “all of us, and we have to fight it collectively”.

Mr Bugti said the killers of innocent people do not deserve for any leniency and whoever has taken the gun will be dealt with iron hand.

“We will go to the house of every disgruntled Baloch who has genuine reservations and we will try to address them,” the chief minister said, adding that they were determining the positive direction for good governance, and the fruit of good governance will start reaching the people in five to six months.

“Everyone should play their role for the betterment of the province,” he maintained.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2024