QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has said those seeking political change in the province’s current set-up were free to “fulfil their wishes”, but his government would implement President Asif Ali Zardari’s directives in letter and spirit.

Speaking to the media during the inauguration of a road from Chaman Phatak to Koyla Phatak in Quetta on Wednesday, the chief minister said the president had contacted him by phone both before and after his meeting with lawmakers and had issued certain instructions, which would be followed.

Provincial Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove, MPA Zarak Khan Mandokhail, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Secretary C&W Babar Khan, and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Mr Bugti said the president had called him a day earlier to inform him about the planned meeting. He said some party members wished to meet the president in his absence, which he welcomed.

Pledges full utilisation of Rs249bn uplift budget, dual carriageway in 70 days

To a question about reports of a possible political change in Baloc­hi­s­tan following the meeting, the chief minister remarked: “Let them fulfil their wishes.”

Some MPAs of the PML-N, including Zarak Mandokhail, who was also present at the road inauguration, have, on various occasions, hinted that the current government is based on a two-and-a-half-year power-sharing arrangement with the PML-N as an alliance partner. They have suggested that, after the completion of this period, the next chief minister would be from the PML-N. Mandokhail has also expressed his desire to assume the office.

Speaking about the newly inaugurated road, Mr Bugti said the road near Pishin Stop had been closed following an attack on the residence of the FC inspector general, in which his wife and children were injured. He said the road was currently open for one-way traffic and would be fully reopened once the construction of the FC headquarters’ wall was completed.

He termed the construction of the new road part of the development process and said the government was making efforts to accelerate development work in Quetta. He announced that the Chaman Phatak-Koyla Phatak road would be converted into a dual carriageway within 70 days.

Responding to another question, the chief minister said there had been some improvement in law and order indicators. He added that Balochistan was a conflict zone and that proxy elements were attempting to destabilise the province. He said the government was committed to ensuring the safety of every citizen and that a strategy was being devised to control crime in Quetta. He expressed confidence that a visible reduction in street crime would be witnessed soon.

Regarding the budget, the chief minister said the province had allocated Rs249 billion for development expenditures, which had increased due to certain requirements. He assured that 100 per cent of the funds would be utilised, stating that it was unacceptable for half the budget to remain unspent and lapse. “Public money will be spent on the public,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2026