Staff Reporter:
Quetta, March 8: Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, has announced a special grant of Rs 1 billion for Government Postgraduate Science College, Quetta. He also pledged to take the institution under his direct patronage, emphasizing its historical significance as an academic hub for Balochistan’s students.
Highlighting his personal connection with the college, CM Bugti recalled that his late father, Mir Ghulam Qadir Bugti, was an alumnus. “This institution has contributed immensely to our education system, and it is time we repay this debt,” he stated.
Modernization and Infrastructure Development
The Chief Minister assured that all necessary resources would be provided to transform the college into a center for modern education and research. He directed the Secretary of Communications to develop the institution into a model educational facility, stating, “The provincial government is ready to offer a blank check for this purpose.”
During his visit—his second since a fire incident damaged the college—he praised the ongoing restoration efforts. He acknowledged the role of former Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court, Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, in urging him to expedite the college’s rehabilitation.
To upgrade the institution, CM Bugti ordered the formulation of a comprehensive master plan, ensuring the completion of key facilities within a year. These include:
• Playground and Hostel Facilities
• Solar Energy Integration
• Advanced IT Park for Students
Call for Positive Youth Engagement
The Chief Minister urged the youth to pursue education as a means of progress, cautioning against influences that lead them toward unproductive paths. “Some elements are misleading our youth with false promises,” he said. He dismissed violence as a means to change, acknowledging governance flaws but asserting that “criticizing the state under the guise of bad governance is unacceptable.”
Government’s Reforms and Merit-Based Hiring
Emphasizing transparency, CM Bugti highlighted his administration’s efforts in curbing corruption, stating, “From day one, I pledged that no government job would be sold, and we upheld this promise. Merit-based recruitment has been ensured in the Education Department.”
Discussing systemic inefficiencies, he pointed out flaws in the Zakat Department, which spends Rs 1.6 billion annually just to distribute Rs 300 million in aid. He suggested that district commissioners could handle the process more efficiently.
Condemnation of State-Antagonistic Propaganda
The Chief Minister strongly condemned anti-state campaigns on social media, claiming that artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being misused to amplify negative content about Balochistan. He remarked that positive developments, such as the restoration of Science College, are overlooked in online narratives.
He also revealed disturbing security concerns, stating that a female law student was coerced into wearing a suicide vest, which he described as “deeply alarming.” He accused hostile forces of radicalizing Balochistan’s youth, while the government is sending them to prestigious global institutions like Oxford and Harvard on scholarships.
Addressing teachers, CM Bugti emphasized their responsibility in shaping young minds, reminding them of their moral duty to guide students towards constructive goals.
Addressing Regional Development Disparities
Rejecting claims that Balochistan is uniquely disadvantaged, the Chief Minister asserted that developmental imbalances exist nationwide, citing disparities between Karachi and Kashmore, Quetta and Pishin, and Lahore and Dera Ghazi Khan. He reiterated his government’s commitment to providing opportunities that uplift the province’s youth.
