Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday announced Rs10 billion in financial assistance for security forces operating in Balochistan, reaffirming Punjab’s commitment to peace and stability in the province.
She made the announcement during a visit to Quetta, where she attended a ceremony at the Frontier Corps (FC) Headquarters. Her visit followed coordinated attacks on January 31 across 12 towns in Balochistan, including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
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According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces later launched Operation Raddul Fitna 1, eliminating 216 India-sponsored militants in a series of engagements and clearance operations. The ISPR added that 36 civilians, including women and children, and 22 personnel from security and law enforcement agencies were martyred during the operations.
During a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Maryam Nawaz said the financial support was intended to strengthen security efforts in the province. She also visited the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, where she was received by Bugti along with members of the provincial cabinet and assembly.
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Praising the resilience of Balochistan’s people, she said their commitment to Pakistan was commendable and assured that Punjab would extend full cooperation to address the province’s challenges. “We stand with Balochistan. Terrorism can be eliminated through national unity, and we want peace, stability and prosperity in the province,” she said.
Earlier, the Punjab chief minister met Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail at the Governor House in Quetta, where they discussed the country’s overall law and order situation, political developments in Balochistan and other matters of mutual interest.
Governor Mandokhail emphasized the importance of strong federal-provincial relations and called for concrete measures to promote inter-provincial harmony. Maryam Nawaz assured him of continued cooperation and close coordination in the future. Both leaders agreed on the need to strengthen ties between provinces and enhance people-to-people connections.
At the end of the meeting, the governor presented Maryam Nawaz with a commemorative shield and a traditional carpet as a gesture of goodwill.
