Balochistan CM Criticizes Parties for Anti-State Propaganda

Balochistan CM Condemns Anti-State Propaganda, Announces Militant Surrender

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti announced on Monday that 100 militants have surrendered their weapons in Dera Bugti, describing the development as “a welcome and positive step” toward reducing extremism in the troubled province.

During a press conference, Bugti strongly condemned elements spreading false narratives against Pakistan’s armed forces, particularly targeting political factions that he claims are undermining national security interests.

“Some political parties are spreading anti-state propaganda, while their own children study abroad. Our state is more important than politics,” Bugti said, emphasizing the importance of national unity in the face of ongoing security challenges.

The chief minister highlighted the severity of militant activity in Balochistan over the past year, revealing that 900 security incidents had occurred across the province, resulting in the deaths of 205 security personnel and 280 civilians. During counter-terrorism operations, security forces neutralized 760 militants.

Bugti stressed the significance of militants recognizing state authority, saying, “The state is paramount. Those who surrender should be welcomed.” He added that the militants who laid down arms were previously affiliated with terrorist organizations.

The security situation in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has long been complicated by separatist movements, sectarian violence, and cross-border militant activities. Rich in natural resources including natural gas, gold, and copper, the province has struggled with development issues and local grievances that have fueled insurgency.

Referencing regional security concerns, Bugti criticized the Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan for allegedly violating the Doha Agreement, which stipulated that Afghan territory would not be used for terrorism. “The Taliban regime has violated this promise,” he asserted, suggesting that instability in Afghanistan provides logistical support to militants operating in Pakistan’s border regions.

The chief minister paid tribute to those killed in militant attacks, including the father of former Chief Minister Jamal Raisani, who was killed in 2018. Bugti himself has been targeted in the past, recalling an attack on his vehicle in which two people were injured.

Security analysts note that Balochistan’s strategic location, bordering both Afghanistan and Iran, makes it particularly vulnerable to cross-border militancy. The province has seen an uptick in violence in recent months, with both separatist groups and Islamist militants claiming responsibility for attacks on security forces.

Bugti emphasized the need for a unified approach to counter extremism, describing it as “not just the military’s war” but “a shared struggle of the entire Pakistani nation.” He warned that discrediting security forces strengthens “the enemy’s narrative” and called it a national responsibility for politicians to counter anti-state propaganda.

The chief minister specifically highlighted the ongoing insurgency in two provinces (likely referring to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) as a context in which “defaming state institutions is a dangerous act.”

Pakistan’s military has maintained a significant presence in Balochistan, conducting regular operations against militant groups. Human rights organizations have at times raised concerns about the conduct of these operations and their impact on civilian populations.

Bugti concluded his remarks with a historical religious analogy, urging the nation to “stand with its forces to defeat the enemy’s propaganda,” and emphasized that popularity is less important than standing for “truth and justice.”

The surrender of militants in Dera Bugti represents a potential positive development in the government’s efforts to restore peace in a region that has seen decades of conflict, though significant challenges to lasting stability remain.