Balochistan CM vows schools stay open after Nushki girls college attack

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said on Wednesday that the government would eliminate terrorism from the province and bring those responsible for attacks on civilians to justice. He said violence would not weaken the government's resolve to promote education, peace and development.

Speaking on the security situation, Bugti strongly condemned the recent attack on a girls' college in Nushki. Daily Times reported that terrorists affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) entered the college and injured three students.

Two of the injured girls, who had serious wounds, were moved to Quetta for specialised treatment. A third student with minor injuries was treated in Nushki. Bugti said the government was ensuring the best possible medical care for them.

The chief minister said the provincial government would not give in to intimidation or allow educational institutions to be closed. He said militants viewed such institutions as obstacles to their goals, and that the government would not close any school or college because of terrorist threats.

Bugti said the Balochistan government, together with the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police, would continue fighting terrorism. He said security forces would track down the perpetrators and had been conducting sustained operations against terrorist hideouts over recent days.

He also said authorities had previously intercepted and rehabilitated several young girls allegedly influenced by extremist narratives. He said the provincial administration had reopened 3,200 previously closed schools.

Bugti said: "Baloch society has always upheld dignity, honor and respect for education, but it has now become evident to the people of the province that these elements want to keep our daughters away from education and push them towards a path of extremism and violence."

He announced a sports gala at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) and a sports festival at the Nushki college in honour of the injured students. He said: "These activities will demonstrate that no amount of violence can force the government to close schools and colleges. We will keep our educational institutions thriving and ensure that the streets of Balochistan remain vibrant with life and constructive activities."