Terrorism in Balochistan conspiracy to sabotage SCO moot: Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told the Senate on Friday that the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan were a conspiracy to sabotage the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference, to be hosted by Pakistan. Winding up a discussion on Balochistan on the floor of the house, he said the government knew exactly who was behind these terrorist attacks. He said clear links exposed the hidden hand behind the coordinated attacks, executed by more than one terrorist outfits.

The minister emphasized that certain forces did not want the important event to be hosted in Pakistan. About the government’s policy, he noted that everyone who accepts the state writ would be given respect. “Those who disobey the state and carry guns are terrorists and will be dealt with accordingly,” he said. “They may have some differences which the government will try its utmost to address. All political forces are urged to stand united against those who pick up guns and challenge the writ of state,” he said.

Mohsin Naqvi said those who pick up guns and challenge the state writ would be taken on and meted out a treatment that terrorists deserve. He said during his recent visit to Quetta, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held meetings with all the political stakeholders in Balochistan to resolve their issues. The PM, he continued, ordered to provide Rs5 billion to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Balochistan, whereas another Rs8 billion had been allocated for provincial divisions, explaining the amount would be utilised to resolve local issues.

He pointed out that in order to overcome the shortage of federal government employees in the province, 30-40 officials would be deputed there within the next 15 days. The minister clarified that no operation was going on in Balochistan.

The interior minister was asked about the legal status of the ‘apex committee’ and whether the panel was over and above parliament. Mohsin Naqvi replied that parliament was supreme and would remain supreme and that no one should have a doubt about it. He explained that the apex committee reviews decisions under the National Action Plan (NAP) and coordinates with the federal and provincial institutions.

Later, commenting on the interior minister’s statement, Shibli said it was beyond their comprehension that the minister termed the recent incident in Balochistan of the level of an SHO. “Giving away a few billion and taking some other steps is like trying to stop the sun with hands,” he remarked. He contended that the issue was not so simple for the province had changed and its young people were conscious today and they had some issues, which could be resolved by interacting with the stakeholders and taking them on board.

“The governments do have a large heart and don’t believe in vengeance and don’t take things with a unidimensional approach and show a greater degree of seriousness to deal with the situation,” he said. Shibli Faraz also claimed that the government would survive two or three weeks or a month, but that did not mean its ministers stop coming to the House. Senator Irfan Siddiqui, who presided over the session, said he had been informed that the ministers would be available shortly, as they had to attend an emergency cabinet meeting.

Senator Palwasha Khan proposed holding a Senate session in Quetta and listening to the grievances of the victims there. She asked where those so-called human rights bodies were now, and why don’t they condemn the recent gory incidents in Balochistan. She insisted that it should be found out who financed and trained the assailants, who appeared in uniform on TV channels abroad and PM Modi had given a repeated statement of being in contact with people in Balochistan.

Senator Bilal Ahmad Mandokhail emphasized the need to own Balochistan and its people. “We have no knowledge about the importance and potential of Pakistan’s area-wise largest and population-wise smallest province, but the country’s enemies know it very well and that is why their eyes are focused on it,” he said. “If use of force produced desired results, only then one may go for greater use of force,” he argued. Bilal Mandokhail also advocated understanding what exactly were the issues in Balochistan, and who had brought the province to this juncture.

Separately, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Friday that the security forces had killed at least 42 terrorists and Khawarij in separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs), which were conducted in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

On the night of August 29 and 30, in three separate IBOs in district Kech, Panjgur and Zhob, five terrorists were sent to hell by the security forces, while three terrorists were injured during the intense fire exchange. In backdrop of cowardly terrorist activities, targeting innocent civilians in Balochistan on August 26, the security forces are conducting extensive IBOs to hunt down the perpetrators of these heinous acts, the statement said, adding that sensitization operations would continue until all perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of the atrocious acts were brought to justice. The ISPR said the security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.

In another statement, the ISPR said that since August 20, security forces are conducting extensive IBOs in Tirah Valley, Khyber district, in which 37 Khawarij have been killed. On August 28 and 29, troops effectively engaged the Khawarij locations where after intense fire exchange, 12 Khawarij of Fitna-Al-Khawarij were sent to hell. These operations have resulted in major setback to Fitna-Al-Khawarij and its affiliates and, so far, 37 terrorists have been sent to hell, while 14 terrorists suffered serious injuries. Agencies add: The start of operations at Chinese-funded Gwadar airport has been pushed back for a security review after deadly attacks by terrorists in the area, government and aviation sources said. The new airport would handle domestic and international flights, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and would be one of the country’s biggest airports.

The initial plan was for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to inaugurate the airport on Aug 14, alongside Chinese officials, but that was called off after an ethnic Baloch rights group started a sit-in protest, the officials said. Following last week’s attacks, the deadliest in years, two officials at the CAA and two others in the Balochistan provincial government said that the start of flights would be delayed as authorities review security in the region.

Asked about the delay and security concerns, China’s Foreign Ministry said, “China is willing to work with the Pakistani side to continue to do a good job in the relevant security work and ensure the safe and smooth progress of the corridor construction.” A provincial government spokesperson declined to comment and Pakistan’s information minister did not respond to a request for a comment.