Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday said that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and other terrorist groups receive funding, training, and support from India’s intelligence agency, RAW, while operating from Afghan territory.
Addressing students during an interactive session at the ISPR Summer Camp, Bugti said Pakistan would not negotiate with armed terrorist groups and vowed that peace and stability would prevail in Balochistan despite continued security challenges.
RAW Support for Terrorist Groups
The chief minister said that terrorist groups targeting Pakistan are backed by India’s intelligence agency and continue to use Afghan territory to launch attacks.
“TTP, BLA and other terrorist groups are RAW-backed proxies receiving funding and training while operating from Afghan territory,” he said.
Bugti urged the Afghan interim authorities to fulfill their commitments under the Doha Agreement by ensuring their territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks against Pakistan.
He maintained that attacks originating from Afghan territory would not weaken Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorism.
No Talks With Armed Terrorists
Reiterating the provincial government’s policy, Bugti said there would be no negotiations with armed terrorist groups challenging the state’s sovereignty.
“Pakistan’s future is a progressive and peaceful nation where every citizen can live without fear of violence. Negotiating with armed groups waging violence against the state is not an option,” he said.
He added that while the government remains committed to political dialogue with democratic stakeholders, terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Mangi Dam Attack Targeted Critical Water Project
Referring to the recent terrorist attack on the Mangi Dam project, Bugti said the Rs20 billion scheme is one of Balochistan’s most important infrastructure projects and is vital for securing Quetta’s future drinking water supply.
He said police personnel had been deployed to protect the project’s pumping station when terrorists launched the attack.
“More than 30 police personnel fought with exceptional courage while defending the site, while a reinforcement team was ambushed on its way to assist them,” he said.
Bugti announced that a judicial commission has been established to investigate the attack and said its findings would be made public.
According to technical studies, if the project is not completed within the revised deadline of 14 August, after the original deadline of 30 June, Quetta could face a severe drinking water shortage within the next three to four years. This is a critical national project worth Rs 20 billion.
Coordinated Anti-State Propaganda
Bugti said that after terrorists attacked the state and killed innocent civilians and police personnel, a coordinated propaganda campaign sought to portray Pakistan’s own institutions as responsible for the violence.
He described the campaign as a deliberate attempt to mislead Pashtun youth and undermine the state, adding that the banned TTP had itself claimed responsibility for the attack.
“Terrorism and organized propaganda are being used together to mislead the youth for political purposes,” he said.
Tribute to Martyred Security Personnel
Paying tribute to the police officers, soldiers, Frontier Corps personnel and civilians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks, Bugti said every martyr was someone’s son, husband or father and their sacrifices should never be politicized.
He praised the courage displayed by the security forces in defending the Mangi Dam project and reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to defeating terrorism.
“The government and the people of Balochistan will stand united to defeat every conspiracy against Pakistan,” he said.
Peace Will Prevail in Balochistan
The chief minister said Pakistan’s strength lies in the unity of its people and praised the professionalism of the armed forces during recent security challenges.
He said terrorist organizations seek recruits, logistics and propaganda to discredit Pakistan’s security forces, but insisted such efforts would fail.
Concluding his address, Bugti expressed confidence that peace and development would prevail across Balochistan.
“Peace will prevail in Balochistan. Violent attempts to divide Pakistan will fail, and Pakistan and Balochistan will remain inseparable,” he said.
