CM opens counselling centre for terror victims

Individualland will also serve journalists working in war zones

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo on Wednesday inaugurated Individualland, the province’s first counseling centre for journalists working in war zones as well as victims of terrorism.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said the counseling centre would be beneficial for the journalist community in the province.

“Media in Balochistan has indeed matured,” he said, but added that journalists should refrain from broadcasting and publishing fake news and anti-state material.

Answering a question regarding law and order situation in the province, he said the situation in the province was better than in previous years. There had been some incidents of targeted killing and bomb blasts, but “we all have to stay united to win the war against terrorism”, he added.

He stressed the need for refraining from indulging in false propaganda against the country as “we cannot win the war unless media and masses support us”.

Talking on extra security deployment on sit-ins, Bizenjo said public cooperation was needed to purge the menace of terrorism. “Due to protests and sit-ins, we have to deploy extra security force for their protection… so who would take action against terrorist,” he said.

He said, “Balochistan is located in a war zone, sharing porous borders with Iran and Afghanistan”, but the security forces were doing their best in action against terrorists.



“Fencing along the Afghan border is underway and will be completed soon… it will help halt the movement of terrorists across the border,” he said.

The CM said due to the ban by the Election Commission of Pakistan on development schemes and new recruitments, the government was unable to fulfil its commitment with the people.

“We had pledged jobs, development and better education for the deprived people of Balochistan,” Bizenjo said. “We have spent three months in government and want one more month so we could do more.”

Director Individualland Gul Mina, Quetta Mayor Dr Kaleemullah, Quetta Press Club President Raza-ur-Rehman and senior journalist Saleem Shahid also addressed the ceremony.