Large-scale reforms unavoidable to ensure good governance, effective service delivery: Chief Minister

Independent Report

QUETTA: The Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti has stated that large-scale reforms have become essential to ensure good governance and effective service delivery in the province.
The Chief Minister affirmed that the government is fully committed to advancing the reform agenda under all circumstances, with the ultimate goal of restoring public trust in the governance system.
He expressed these views while chairing a high-level meeting on Wednesday, attended by all departmental administrative secretaries.
Also present were Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Zahid Saleem, Chairman of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team Muhammad Ali, along with secretaries of all key departments.
The Chief Minister stated that each department must take full ownership of its schemes, as the actual responsibility for these development projects lies with the respective departments and their secretaries. He stressed that transparency and performance in development projects will be ensured through continuous monitoring. The progress of both federally and foreign-funded projects will be reviewed regularly, he insisted.
He noted that the previous fiscal year saw a historic record of full and timely utilization of development funds, helping to eliminate the negative perception surrounding fund misuse or inefficiency in Balochistan.
While acknowledging that an ideal or theoretical governance framework may not be immediately implementable, the Chief Minister assured that his government is committed to sustained and practical improvements, keeping in view the province’s ground realities.
He directed the CMIT and the Monitoring & Evaluation Units to closely monitor the quality and pace of ongoing projects under an integrated strategy, so that the people can benefit from these initiatives in real terms. He further announced that work on development projects for the current fiscal year has already begun, signaling the seriousness and commitment of his administration.
The Chief Minister instructed that 99% of the technical approvals for proposed and approved schemes must be completed by July 25, and progress must be reported in the next meeting. He also called on administrative secretaries to conduct a critical review of last year’s shortcomings and learn from them to enhance performance going forward.
He stated that while the government fully trusts the professional capabilities of its officers, performance is now being made the decisive standard, and officers will be posted based on merit and suitability. Posting tenures will be secure, but subject to performance.
He added that we will strengthen the merit system to the extent that no officer would need a recommendation or backing for their posting.
Referring to the Chief Minister’s Youth Skills Development Program, CM described it as a foundation for a brighter future for the youth and stressed that effective implementation is the responsibility of the concerned departments.
He directed that the pace of the program be accelerated during the current fiscal year, and any shortcomings be identified and addressed promptly.
He highlighted that implementation of development projects began from the first day of the new fiscal year, reflecting the government’s dedication. He added that District Development Committees would be made fully functional to resolve public issues at the local level effectively.
Reaffirming his government’s people-centric approach, he said, “The focus of all our efforts and policies is the common man, surrounded by problems. It is their issues we must resolve.” He underscored the importance of field officers being present on the ground to address public concerns and announced that newly trained Assistant Commissioners would soon be deployed in the field.
Addressing young officers, the Chief Minister urged them to make public service their mission and to perform with sincerity and efficiency, making the best use of available resources.
He cited the example of Shamsher Khan, a former Political Agent in Kohlu, who performed his duties in extremely difficult conditions, even living and working in tents, without letting the lack of resources hinder his commitment. “We need to learn from such examples,” he said.
Discussing the solarization of agricultural tube wells, CM Bugti emphasized transparency, stating that payments under the scheme were made directly through the State Bank to beneficiaries, eliminating any chance of commissions or corruption. “Not a single percent of corruption was involved,” he affirmed.
He emphasized promoting such transparent and efficient mechanisms to build public trust and prevent corruption.
Concluding his remarks, the Chief Minister told the officers that “we must all work as a team, because the center of our struggle is the common Baloch citizen-suffering in the heat and shivering in the cold. We must bring real change for them and make governance truly people-oriented.”