Balochistan govt reassures public after Mastung incident

QUETTA:

Spokesperson for the Government of Balochistan, Shahid Rind, on Thursday addressed a press conference in Quetta, outlining the provincial government's swift response to recent security incidents and reiterating its commitment to improved governance and institutional transparency.

Commenting on the security breach that occurred in Mastung a day earlier, Rind acknowledged that the incident briefly created a sense of unease among the public. However, he emphasized that the state responded promptly, with security forces neutralizing four militants in an immediate counter-operation, helping to restore calm and public confidence.

Rind also confirmed that Rs40 million were looted during the incident, largely from private banks operating with independent security arrangements. He said the provincial administration is now reviewing security protocols and is working to bolster protection for both public and private financial institutions to prevent such incidents in the future.

Addressing concerns regarding the formation of District Coordination Committees (DCCs) — a new initiative under the provincial budget — Rind defended the move, describing it as a step toward enhanced accountability and better oversight of development schemes. He rejected allegations of administrative overreach, clarifying that Deputy Commissioners have not been given the role of Project Directors in these committees.