QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has said that law and order and national security in Balochistan should be treated as issues beyond political differences.

He stressed that comparisons between the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, particularly regarding terrorism and national security, must be based on ground realities and practical measures.

The chief minister said he holds JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in high regard and that their personal relationship is based on mutual respect.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, CM Bugti said the Maulana and his party had also been targeted in terrorist attacks. He expressed the hope that the JUI-F chief would take into account the state’s efforts to combat terrorism and the sacrifices made by security forces when commenting on this sensitive national issue.

CM Bugti said the performance of the two provincial governments should be assessed on the basis of their counterterrorism measures, the conduct of their political leadership, and their commitment to eliminating terrorism.

He said that despite political differences between the government and opposition in Balochistan, both sides had maintained a common position against terrorism, demonstrating a commitment to placing national interests above partisan considerations.

The chief minister said his government regularly took the opposition into confidence on counterterrorism strategies, key decisions, and related matters in the Balochistan Assembly. He added that the provincial government was committed to taking all parliamentary parties along.

He cited acknowledgements by Opposition Leader Mir Younis Aziz Zehri and a recent speech by Balochistan National Party (Mengal) parliamentary leader Mir Jahanzeb Mengal as evidence of the province’s political leadership recognising its responsibility in the fight against terrorism.

CM Bugti said the JUI-F, the National Party, the BNP-Mengal, and other parliamentary parties shared a common stance against terrorism.

He stressed that the fight against terrorism was not merely a matter of political statements or claims but a shared res­p­­o­­nsibility of the state and the entire nation.

Pakistan, he said, was continuing its eff­­­orts to eliminate terrorism, while off­i­cers and personnel of the Pakistan Ar­­­­my and other security institutions were making extraordinary sacrifices in the struggle.

Describing Maulana Fazlur Rehman as a senior politician whose party had also suffered human and political losses due to terrorism, CM Bugti said comparisons between the governments of KP and Balochistan must consider their practical counterterrorism measures, coordination among political leaders, and cooperation with state institutions.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2026