QUETTA(National Times)- Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has warned owners of vineyards and other private properties in Mastung that they will be treated as facilitators if their land is used to launch attacks on security forces or provincial ministers.
Speaking to the media after inaugurating digital initiatives at the Central Police Office on Friday, CM Bugti said the government did not want to take action that could harm ordinary citizens, as terrorists often used civilians as human shields. However, he said property owners could not claim ignorance if attacks were launched from their land.
“If a security forces’ convoy or the home minister is attacked from a vineyard, the owners cannot say they did not know terrorists were present on their land,” he said.
He said vineyard owners had repeatedly been warned and, if private properties continued to be used for terrorism, the government would have to consider relocating people on a large scale or eliminating vineyards being used for terrorist activities.
“The blood of Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and police personnel is extremely sacred,” CM Bugti said, adding that the government would not tolerate security personnel being martyred while private properties were used for terrorism.
Meanwhile, the chief minister said Balochistan was moving towards maximum digitalisation of governance to improve transparency and public services. Eight existing Balochistan Police apps had been upgraded and eight new ones introduced to facilitate access to the criminal justice system and enable citizens to lodge complaints.
A women’s safety application allows users to trigger an emergency alert with a single click, notifying their families and police. Mr Bugti announced an awareness campaign targeting female students, working women and travellers.
Digital facilities for families of police martyrs would also provide direct contact with them and help identify their welfare needs. Other services include Khidmat Markaz, hotel and travel facilities, and the IGP Police Complaint Cell.
Mr Bugti announced Rs5 million in cash rewards for officers and personnel involved in the digitalisation drive and allocated Rs50m for further digitalisation of Balochistan Police.
He said CCTV and Safe City cameras had helped trace suspects in murder cases and contributed to arrests following major terrorist attacks. A Safe City Authority had been established under the relevant legislation and integrated with law-enforcement agencies.
Regarding the tehsildar recruitment process, Mr Bugti said an internal error had been detected and a committee formed in coordination with the Public Service Commission would submit its report within seven to 10 days.
He reiterated that the government would not compromise on merit, even at the cost of political losses. Citing recent Balochistan Revenue Authority recruitment, he said 20 to 25 people from his constituency had applied, but none of them was selected, demonstrating that the process was merit-based.
