Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Wednesday strongly condemned terrorism in the province, declaring that no individual or group has the right to take up arms and kill innocent people under any pretext.
Addressing a session of the Balochistan Assembly, the chief minister said Pakistan continued to face “confusion” on the issue of terrorism, which he attributed to sustained propaganda aimed at creating a rift between the state and the youth of Balochistan.
His remarks came around ten days after a wave of coordinated attacks on January 31 disrupted life across several parts of the province. Security forces later launched a major counterterrorism operation, during which 216 militants were killed.
‘Forced narrative’ against Pakistan
Bugti said a “forced narrative” had been constructed against Pakistan that was based on perceptions rather than ground realities. He rejected the argument that terrorism in Balochistan was a direct outcome of underdevelopment, noting that uneven development remained a nationwide challenge and could not be used to justify violence.
“The monopoly over the use of force rests solely with the state, in every country of the world,” he said, stressing again that no cause allowed the killing of civilians.
‘Futile war’ and use of multiple tools
The chief minister alleged that militant groups in Balochistan sought to break the country and establish a separate state on the basis of Baloch identity. According to him, this agenda relied on three tools: violence, manipulation of social and political spaces, and the use of social media.
“The Baloch are being pushed into a futile war,” Bugti warned. “What will come out of this except bloodshed?” He said attempts to rationalise violence were “extremely dangerous” and risked further destabilising society.
Dialogue only without guns
Referring to the National Action Plan, Bugti said terrorism carried out in the name of religion had been unanimously recognised as terrorism, while violence justified under so-called nationalism was often treated differently.
On the question of dialogue, the chief minister said he remained open to talks but drew a clear line. “I am ready to talk on behalf of the state of Pakistan,” he said. “But I cannot talk to those who speak through the barrels of guns — those killing our children, teachers, doctors, police and security personnel.”
