PM Shehbaz vows special perks for top officers posted in Balochistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to appoint capable and promising officers to Balochistan, offering them special incentives.

Speaking to participants after the conclusion of an apex committee meeting in Quetta on Thursday, Sharif stressed the need for collective efforts to maintain peace in Balochistan. "We will eradicate terrorism from the country at all costs, and there will be no leniency towards terrorists," he said.

Sharif made it clear that no concessions would be given to enemies of the state. "Negotiations are essential with those who respect Pakistan's flag and Constitution, but under no circumstances can we negotiate with the nation's adversaries," he emphasised.

The prime minister highlighted the importance of appointing competent officers in Balochistan, acknowledging that concerns over security have made some officials reluctant to serve in the province.

To address this, he said a new policy has been formulated. Officers from the 48th Common Training Programme will be posted in Balochistan for one year, followed by postings of officers from the 49th Common Training Programme for one and a half years.

Sharif announced that officers posted in Balochistan would receive special perks, including four air tickets for their families every three months. Additionally, they will be awarded three extra performance points based on their work and achievements.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shahbaz arrived in Quetta for a day-long visit to address the security situation in Balochistan.

The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, welcomed him at the airport, along with Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, Abdul Khaliq Achakzai.

Accompanying the prime minister were Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Trade Jam Kamal Khan, and Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi.

The prime minister later reviewed the overall security situation while attending a meeting of the Apex Committee in Quetta.

Army Chief Gen Syed Asim Munir and heads of intelligence agencies, as well as Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti, and provincial ministers attended the meeting.

Balochistan has recently seen an uptick in violence, including target killings and militant attacks.

On Monday, the province experienced one of its most violent days, with around 50 lives lost in multiple terrorist attacks across various districts.

The deadliest incident occurred in Musakhail, where 23 passengers were executed after being offloaded from a bus. In Kalat, an attack on security forces resulted in 10 deaths, including both civilians and security personnel.

In response to the attacks on innocent civilians, the military has sprung into action carrying out actions across the province to target militants and terrorists alike.