QUETTA: Balochistan provincial minister without portfolio and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Haji Ali Madad Jattak on Sunday said party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had made it clear that Sarfraz Bugti would continue as Balochistan chief minister until the completion of his five-year term.

Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of several political and tribal leaders joining the PPP, Mr Jattak said Mr Bhutto-Zardari’s statement had defeated the ongoing “remove the chief minister” campaign circulating on social media.

The leaders who joined the PPP after leaving Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam included Dr Ali Nawaz Pirkani, Abdul Salam Zehri, Mahmood Khan Zehri, Fatah Muhammad, Shahnawaz Mengal and Haji Mehrullah Dad Zehri, along with hundreds of their supporters.

PPP leaders Lala Rozi Khan Kakar, Naseebullah Shahwani, Muhammad Yousaf, Wali Muhammad Qalandarani and others were also present.

Several political, tribal leaders join party in the province

Mr Jattak, who is also a former provincial president of PPP Balochistan, claimed that the party had always desired peace in Balochistan. He said the party had been striving since day one to eliminate unemployment, lawlessness and backwardness from the province by ensuring access to education, healthcare, clean drinking water, gas, electricity and job opportunities.

He said the provincial government was working to complete development projects on time so that their benefits could reach the public.

Mr Jattak claimed that the PPP had further strengthened its position in Quetta and Sariab, adding that development work was progressing rapidly in the provincial capital.

He referred to the recent inauguration of various projects by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, including a trauma centre and an air ambulance service, which he said would play a key role in the development of Balochistan and the provision of essential facilities.

He said the government was focusing on sending youth abroad for modern and higher education to enable them to become productive members of society and contribute to the development of Balochistan and Pakistan.

Mr Jattak said that in view of the prevailing situation in the province, Mr Bugti was responding to critics through performance and taking practical measures in coordination with coalition partners to improve law and order and governance.

Responding to a question, he urged senior political figures to support the government’s initiatives instead of criticising them.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2026