Responsiveness to public concerns urged

In a recent directive, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has emphasized the importance of accountability and responsiveness to public concerns and has urged all government members to actively engage with the populace and address their grievances.

“As elected representatives, it is our solemn duty to lend an ear to people’s problems and work tirelessly to resolve them,” he said.

“We have been entrusted with a mandate to serve the public and restore their faith in the state and its institutions,” he said.

Chief Minister Bugti’s remarks come amid a case of recidivism involving a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Ali Madad Jattak and a professor at the University of Balochistan, and shed light on broader issues of governance and accountability within the province. The PPP lawmaker has been accused of using aggressive and inappropriate language with a female university professor which has caused an outcry on social media and prompted the Balochistan chief minister to seek an apology from Ali Madad Jattak to the female professor.

“Where mistakes have been made, the government stands ready to offer sincere apologies to the people,” affirmed Chief Minister Bugti. “Our commitment lies in service and improvement, with a staunch rejection of any malice or wrongdoing,” he added.

Highlighting the significance of women in Pakistani politics, the chief minister expressed his profound respect for female leaders, citing in particular the legacies within the PPP of Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.

Addressing systemic challenges faced by educational institutions, Chief Minister Bugti pledged to tackle financial crises plaguing universities, including the University of Balochistan, while ensuring accountability for any financial irregularities.

“The issue of ‘ghost employees’ within Jamia Balochistan is a matter of grave concern and we are committed to rooting out such malpractices,” he emphasized. “No entity, whether governmental or independent, should be exempt from scrutiny and accountability.”

As Balochistan strives for progress and development, the chief minister’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability remains pivotal in fostering trust between the government and its citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2024.