Quetta: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday said that the martyrs are the pride of the nation, the strength of the state and the pride of our forehead, the sacrifices of the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the peace, security and stability of the homeland would always be remembered.
He said that the government would never leave the families of the martyrs alone and it is the responsibility of the state to provide them with all possible support.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony to distribute assistance checks to the families of the martyrs of Ziarat.
The ceremony was attended by Provincial Minister Noor Muhammad Dummar, Inspector General of Police Balochistan Muhammad Tahir Khan, other senior officials, families of the martyrs and regional elders.
The Chief Minister met the families of the martyrs before the ceremony, expressed his condolences to them and assured them of equal participation in their grief.
The Chief Minister said that Ziarat has always been a land of happiness, however, the recent tragedy has saddened the entire province.
He said that the martyrs are alive, Allah Almighty has clarified the high status of the martyrs in the Holy Quran, this belief teaches us patience, courage and sacrifice.
He also prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs, patience for the bereaved families and peace and stability of the country.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the terrorists not only took innocent lives but also caused grief to dozens of families, however, their evil intentions would never succeed.
He said that terrorism has no connection with Islam nor with Baloch or Pashtun traditions, targeting innocent citizens, women, children and travelers is completely against humanity and Islamic teachings. The Chief Minister said that the Balochistan Police, Frontier Corps, Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies are sacrificing their lives every day and the entire nation is indebted to their sacrifices.
He urged the people to stand with the state institutions instead of becoming a part of terrorist elements and anti-state propaganda and thwart the nefarious designs of the enemy.
He said that a high-level inquiry committee has already been formed for a transparent investigation into the Ziarat incident, which includes honest and experienced officers, if any officer or official is found to be negligent or culpable, indiscriminate action would be taken against him.
He made it clear that the government would not spare any responsible person and justice would be ensured at all costs.
The Chief Minister said that taking care of the families of the martyrs is the top priority of the government.
He announced that the government would bear all the expenses of education of the children of the martyrs up to 16 years and they would be provided with educational opportunities in the best educational institutions of the country so that they could progress in the field of doctor, engineer, lawyer, pilot or any field of their choice.
He said that the families of the martyrs would be provided with full medical facilities, one person from each martyr’s family would be given a government job, while all legal and administrative facilities to be provided to the relatives of the martyrs so that they would not face any difficulty.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the government has approved a compensation of Rs 11 million per family for the relatives of the martyrs.
He said that all funds have been released for the payment and after completing the legal requirements, including the succession certificate, the funds would be transferred to the respective heirs.
The Chief Minister said that his status is not only that of a Chief Minister but also that of a Baloch brother and he would always stand with the families of the martyrs.
He said that his doors, including the Chief Minister’s House, are always open to the relatives of the martyrs and every possible step would be taken to resolve their problems.
He said that the security of Pakistan, national unity and the stability of state institutions are the common responsibility of all of us, enemy forces want to spread chaos and hatred, but the entire nation would unite and thwart these conspiracies.
The Chief Minister of Balochistan prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs, the speedy recovery of the injured, patience for the bereaved families, and special prayers for the security, peace, and development of Pakistan, and reiterated the resolve that the government would continue to take all possible steps to completely eradicate terrorism and provide full support to the families of the martyrs.