Azma Bokhari Questions Silence Of Rights Activists Over Balochistan Violence

Abdullah Hussain (@Abdulla99267510) Published July 12, 2025 | 01:27 PM

Minister says counter-terrorism operations are underway in Balochistan on a daily basis and emphasizes need for firm action to eliminate threat of terrorism

LAHORE: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-July 12nd, 2025) Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has questioned the silence of human rights champions over the ongoing violence and human rights violations in Balochistan, urging for a collective voice against terrorism in the region.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore. Bokhari said, “Why don’t those who claim to stand for human rights speak out against the oppression in Balochistan? We all must raise our voices against these injustices.”

She noted that counter-terrorism operations are underway in Balochistan on a daily basis and emphasized the need for firm action to eliminate the threat of terrorism.

Turning to the Punjab government’s priorities, the minister said that the healthcare sector remains at the top of the agenda.

“Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is working tirelessly to improve healthcare facilities across Punjab. The Sehat Card is still active and patients are receiving treatment under it,” she said, dismissing reports about its discontinuation as “baseless propaganda.

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Bokhari added that while the Sehat Card is being used at private hospitals, its misuse in government hospitals had been a concern. “Audit reports regarding the health card will be made public soon,” she said.

Commenting on PTI’s recent protest calls, Bokhari asserted that Punjab had neither responded to such calls in the past nor would it do so now.

She alleged that funds were being extracted from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to support PTI’s campaign.

Addressing the issue of urban flooding in Lahore, Bokhari said that water accumulation during torrential rain is a natural phenomenon.

She said images circulating on social media were from Defence Housing Authority (DHA), which does not fall under the jurisdiction of the provincial government.

“Residents of DHA should question those they vote for,” she added.