Quetta: In a significant meeting with senior journalists from the region, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti committed to several initiatives aimed at supporting the media community, acknowledging the vital role journalists play under challenging conditions. The meeting, which included prominent figures from the journalist community, focused on resolving ongoing issues such as the deadlock in the Journalists Housing Society project.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Balochistan, Chief Minister Bugti engaged in detailed discussions with a delegation led by Khalil Ahmed, President of the Balochistan Union of Journalists. Other key figures present included Saleem Shahid, former President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, and Abdul Khaliq Rind, President of Quetta Press Club. During the meeting, the delegation briefed the Chief Minister on various concerns, including financial struggles and project delays affecting journalists in Balochistan.
In response, Chief Minister Bugti directed the concerned secretaries to immediately address these issues. He ordered the Information Department to transfer the land of the Journalists Housing Society to the Journalists Cooperative Society and to expedite development on the stalled project. Moreover, Bugti announced a substantial increase in the seed money for the Journalists Welfare Fund from Rs 230 million to Rs 500 million, along with significant financial support for the Quetta Press Club and the Journalists Academy.
The Chief Minister also approved a solarization project for the Quetta Press Club, underscoring his administration’s commitment to using all available resources for the welfare of all community segments, including journalists. He welcomed constructive criticism from the media, praising the journalists of Balochistan for maintaining their unique identity and adhering to the province’s rich values and traditions.
The meeting was also attended by Provincial Revenue Minister Mir Asim Kurd Gelu, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, and other high-level officials, highlighting the government’s concerted effort to address the needs and challenges faced by journalists in the region.