# Balochistan Minister Clarifies CM Bugti's Remarks on FWO Performance Minister Buledi defends FWO's infrastructure contributions amid political debate over provincial road projects. - **Source:** [Dawn](https://www.dawn.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a6c87c61-8f53-4d24-b26c-85a6e6073772 ## Contextualizing CM Bugti's Remarks Balochistan Planning Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmad Buledi recently clarified that Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s critical comments regarding the Frontier Works Organisation were taken out of context. This statement follows a week of public discourse triggered by the Chief Minister’s acknowledgment of performance shortcomings during a provincial assembly session held in late October. ## Legislative Criticism of Contractors The controversy originated when National Party leader Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch criticized the contracting process for regional road projects. Baloch alleged that the FWO prioritized its own preferences when awarding work. In response, CM Bugti expressed dissatisfaction, noting that even roads in his own constituency had deteriorated shortly after their initial construction. ## Subcontracting and Quality Concerns CM Bugti specifically argued that the FWO often delegated major projects to smaller subcontractors, which he claimed led to poor execution and quality issues. Furthermore, he addressed National Highways Authority projects, noting that security-related challenges in the region have historically complicated the timely and effective completion of various critical road schemes. ## Defending FWO's Historical Role Minister Buledi countered these criticisms by emphasizing the FWO’s invaluable services to Balochistan’s infrastructure. He specifically highlighted the construction of the Hoshab-Panjgur-Surab Highway, also known as the N-85, noting that multiple personnel sacrificed their lives during the development of this vital route. He described the organization's overall performance in the province as commendable. ## Political Tensions and Narratives Buledi accused political opponents of intentionally creating negative narratives to hinder provincial progress for personal gain. He claimed these critics opposed essential initiatives like the Hub Industrial Zone, Gwadar Port, and the South Balochistan Package. According to the minister, these projects remain vital for the long-term economic prosperity of the entire region. ## Broader Development Agenda Beyond the FWO debate, Minister Buledi reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to prioritizing infrastructure, education, healthcare, and youth employment. He stated that the government is actively working to address existing challenges, aiming to improve the overall socio-economic landscape of Balochistan despite the ongoing political friction regarding specific development project execution. ## Internal Project Oversight In August, the Communication and Works Department held a high-level meeting to review the Balochistan Socio-Economic Development Programme. Secretary Babar Khan chaired the session, which evaluated progress on Phase I and II of various road-sector projects. During this review, officials expressed dissatisfaction regarding the slow pace of work on certain critical schemes. ## Future Infrastructure Outlook The ongoing debate highlights the complex relationship between provincial governance, security constraints, and large-scale infrastructure contractors. As the government balances public criticism with the need for development, the focus remains on ensuring project quality and timely delivery. Stakeholders will likely continue monitoring the Communication and Works Department’s oversight of these essential provincial initiatives. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dawn.com/news/2042865/cm-bugtis-remarks-about-fwos-performance-taken-out-of-context-balochistan-minister — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._