Hammad
On Friday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the recent surge of terrorist attacks in Balochistan was “planned to sabotage” an upcoming Pakistan-hosted summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), scheduled for October.
Islamabad is preparing to host the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting on October 15-16 under its rotating chairmanship.
Despite longstanding tensions over occupied Kashmir and accusations of terrorism, Islamabad has extended an invitation to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the summit.
In the most recent outbreak of violence, dozens of militants linked to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) — a separatist group — carried out multiple attacks across Balochistan on Sunday at midnight, resulting in the deaths of at least 50 people, including 14 security personnel.
Speaking in the Senate today, Naqvi remarked: “We have uncovered clear evidence that shows they [the terrorists] intended to sabotage the SCO conference.
“Many people are distressed [about the SCO meeting], hoping it won’t take place,” he added, emphasizing that the attacks were part of a conspiracy against the summit.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that the recent attacks in Balochistan were orchestrated by multiple terrorist groups acting in coordination, not just a single entity.
He highlighted that the incident on the night of August 26 was far from ordinary, with meticulous planning behind it. The independent senator also clarified that no military operation was being conducted, responding to remarks made by another senator.
Naqvi mentioned that during his recent visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in comprehensive discussions with local political stakeholders, leading to important decisions based on their input.
He welcomed those who acknowledge Pakistan, emphasizing that while there might be differences, efforts would be made to address them. However, he firmly stated that those who reject the state and resort to armed conflict are considered terrorists and will be dealt with accordingly. Naqvi stressed the importance of unity and clarity in facing those who oppose the state.
Balochistan Attacks Aimed to Sabotage Upcoming SCO Summit, Says Interior Minister Naqvi
Regarding governance and counterterrorism efforts, Naqvi informed the Senate that Rs13 billion has been allocated, with Rs8 billion designated for Balochistan — Rs1 billion for each of the eight divisions — and Rs5 billion for the province’s Counterterrorism Department (CTD). These funds will be utilized to address local issues with the support of local MNAs and MPAs. He also pointed out that a significant challenge in Balochistan is the shortage of government officers, who are federal government representatives.
The interior minister mentioned the imminent deputation of 30-40 officers from the 48th Common Group to Balochistan within the next 10-15 days. He also noted that over a dozen decisions regarding the province were made during his visits.
Earlier this week, at least 50 people, including 14 security personnel, lost their lives in a series of violent attacks across Balochistan. Militants targeted police stations, destroyed railway tracks, and set nearly three dozen vehicles on fire. In response, security forces neutralized 21 militants.
Among the victims were 23 individuals in Musakhail, primarily laborers from Punjab, who were forcibly taken from trucks and vans and killed after an identity check.
Naqvi reaffirmed his full support for the Balochistan government in its fight against terrorism during his visit to the province. Following these attacks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored that there was no room for complacency, making a brief visit to the province to assess the security situation. Additionally, President Asif Ali Zardari called for effective measures to ensure the complete eradication of terrorism.
