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QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring merit and transparency in public-sector recruitment, as 19 officers were appointed to the Balochistan Revenue Authority (BRA) through a selection process conducted by the Higher Education Commission. Speaking at an appointment ceremony on Tuesday, Chief Minister Bugti handed over appointment letters to the newly selected officers and congratulated them on their success. He urged them to perform their responsibilities with dedication, integrity and a strong sense of duty toward the state. The chief minister said the BRA could become an important pillar of Balochistan’s economic development by improving revenue collection and helping reduce the province’s dependence on non-developmental spending. He noted that a substantial share of provincial resources was currently being consumed by such expenditures, limiting the government’s ability to invest in public welfare. Bugti expressed hope that stronger revenue generation would provide additional resources for key sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure and other development projects. Reiterating a commitment he made after assuming office, the chief minister said government employment would not be treated as a commodity and that appointments would be based solely on merit. He cited the recruitment of more than 14,500 teachers in the Education Department as an example of the policy. He also pointed out that candidates from his own home district, Dera Bugti, were unsuccessful in the latest BRA recruitment, describing this as evidence that the selection process had remained impartial. Bugti appreciated Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, BRA Chairperson Abdullah Khan Noorzai and their teams for supporting a transparent recruitment process. He said merit-based appointments were essential for rebuilding young people’s trust in public institutions and encouraged the newly appointed officers to serve with sincerity and professionalism.

  Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan has completed 79 years of independence and that the country will celebrate the centenary of its independence 21 years from now, in 2047. In a video message issued on the occasion of Independence Day, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reflected on the meaning of Pakistan’s independence and emphasized that freedom was not simply about acquiring a separate territory. According to him, the creation of Pakistan represented a broader promise of rights and dignity for its people. Bilawal said that independence should be understood as more than the establishment of a geographical homeland. He described it as a commitment made to the people of Pakistan and to the regions and states that chose to become part of the country at the time of its creation. He said that this commitment was subsequently incorporated into Pakistan’s Constitution and has continued to be reaffirmed over the years. According to Bilawal, the constitutional promise represents an important responsibility for successive generations and should not remain limited to political speeches or written documents. The PPP chairman stressed that the younger generation has an important role to play in fulfilling this promise. He said it is the responsibility of the present generation to ensure that the constitutional guarantees and principles associated with Pakistan’s founding vision reach every household by 2047, when the country will mark 100 years of independence. Bilawal’s remarks came as Pakistan celebrated its 79th Independence Day with nationwide ceremonies, flag-hoisting events and public celebrations. The day is observed every year on August 14 to commemorate Pakistan’s independence from British rule in 1947. In his message, Bilawal focused on the relationship between independence, constitutional rights and the responsibilities of citizens. He suggested that the true meaning of freedom lies not only in national sovereignty but also in ensuring that citizens are able to enjoy their fundamental rights. He further emphasized the importance of remembering the commitments associated with the creation of Pakistan while looking toward the country’s future. As Pakistan approaches its centenary in 2047, he called for collective efforts to translate constitutional principles into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens. According to Bilawal, fulfilling the promise of Pakistan is a responsibility shared by every generation. He said the country’s future depends on ensuring that the principles of rights and justice are reflected in the everyday lives of people across the country. The PPP chairman also extended his greetings to the nation on Independence Day and expressed his hopes for Pakistan’s continued progress and prosperity. Concluding his message, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed his commitment to Pakistan and expressed the slogan “Pakistan Khappay, Pakistan Paindabad,” conveying a message of support for the country’s unity, stability and lasting prosperity. His Independence Day message centered on the idea that Pakistan’s journey should be viewed not only through the achievement of independence but also through the fulfillment of the rights and aspirations that accompanied the country’s creation. With 2047 approaching as the centenary year of Pakistan’s independence, Bilawal called on the current generation to work toward realizing the constitutional promise for every citizen and household. His message highlighted the importance of connecting the ideals associated with independence to the everyday realities of the Pakistani people.