Sarfraz Bugti Elected Unopposed as Chief Minister of Balochistan

Quetta: Sarfraz Bugti, former senator and caretaker minister for interior, has been elected unopposed as the Chief Minister of Balochistan. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) nominated Bugti for the position, marking the first time a PPP candidate has held the top office in Balochistan since 2008.

Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti emerged as the sole contender for the chief ministerial post, with no other party or independent candidate filing nomination papers by the deadline of 5 pm on Friday. Consequently, the speaker of the Balochistan Assembly declared him elected unopposed.

Expressing gratitude towards PPP leadership, notably chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari, Bugti underscored their trust and confidence in him. He also acknowledged the support of coalition partners, including the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), the Awami National Party (ANP), and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

In his pledge to serve Balochistan, Bugti vowed to prioritize development, prosperity, and address pressing issues such as law and order, corruption, and unemployment.

Hailing from the Bugti tribe of Balochistan, Bugti’s political journey includes affiliations with various parties. He joined PPP in 2023 after departing from the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), which he co-founded in 2018. With a diverse political background, Bugti previously served as a senator of Pakistan from 2015 to 2021 and as the caretaker interior minister of the country in 2023.

Known for his firm stance against the Baloch separatist movement and advocacy for Baloch rights, Bugti’s ascent to the chief ministerial role marks a new chapter in Balochistan’s political landscape.