QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly Monday unanimously adopted a resolution, condemning the killing of Waleed Baloch, brother of National Party leader and MPA Mir Rahmat Saleh Baloch.
Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai ruled that an in-camera session on the province’s deteriorating law and order situation would be convened soon. On the request of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the House proceedings were adjourned until October 22.
National Party President and former Chief Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch presented a joint condemnation resolution, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic incident and demanding immediate arrest of those involved.
He said Waleed Baloch was murdered in Panjgur during a wedding ceremony, adding that the law and order situation in the province had worsened to the extent that people no longer felt safe traveling on highways.
Sarfraz Bugti called for a special in-camera briefing in the assembly on the province’s security situation. “The killing of Waleed Baloch is deeply tragic. Terrorism, in whatever name it occurs, is terrorism and must be condemned,” he said.
Bugti added that the adjournment of assembly proceedings was a reflection of collective grief, and sent a clear message to terrorists that they could not derail the democratic process. “We will not retreat even an inch from democracy,” he asserted.
He further said despite past terrorist attacks on educational institutions, the schools and universities were now active again. “Baloch people are being pushed into an unwinnable conflict through terrorism, but we stand with our security forces in this war,” the chief minister stated.
Leader of the Opposition Mir Younis Aziz Zehri said terrorists had martyred Waleed Baloch and plunged the entire province into mourning. “If they think such actions can deter us from our mission, they are mistaken. We may live or die, but this province and country will remain.”
PML-N Parliamentary Leader and Provincial Minister Mir Saleem Khosa said the people of Balochistan would not be intimidated by terrorism. “We stand with the family of Rahmat Saleh Baloch in their grief, and the people of this province fully support our security forces,” he said.
Provincial Minister Mir Zahoor Buledi lamented that Balochistan has been turned into a killing field and no one feels safe anymore. He stressed the need for a joint political strategy to counter terrorism.
“Anyone involved in violence, regardless of the name they use, is a terrorist. This is not a struggle for rights, it’s terrorism. We must rise above politics and formulate a united plan of action,” Buledi emphasized. Speaker Achakzai ruled that an in-camera session on law and order would be held soon, and the exact date would be announced within a day or two.
