Bugti hints at Swat-like action in Balochistan

LAHORE: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Sunday vowed to enforce writ of the government in the province and avenge the killing of innocent Pakistanis.

Bugti said a ‘Swat like’ operation could be launched in Balochistan, if needed.

Addressing a press conference, Bugti said the terrorism was backed by India’s RAW and perpetrated by Balochistan Liberation Army in Balochistan. He said the CPEC was the economic future of Pakistan and motives behind these heinous acts was to destabilise Pakistan. He asserted that the conspiracy being hatched against Pakistan through these terrorists would be foiled. Bugti said no Baloch had killed any Punjabi but terrorists had killed Pakistanis.

To a question, Sarfaraz Bugti said since day one, he had been of the view that BLA was funded by RAW and as these elements lacked the capacity of hitting hard targets, they were targeting soft targets like labourers. He said it was unfair to call Balochs as terrorists as they always showed respect to their traditions, culture and values. The innocent people from Punjab were not targeted by Balochs but by the terrorists of BLA, adding these killings would not go unnoticed and the terrorists would be taken to task for this bloodshed.

The CM Balochistan also made it clear that ‘facilitators’ of these terrorists would also be punished. Under the constitutional ambit, negotiations could be held with anyone but how could a dialogue take place with those who are targeting innocent people, said Bugti, who also served as the Interior Minister in the last care taker set up.

To a question, Bugti said no military operation underway in Balochistan but made it clear a ‘Swat like’ operation could be launched if needed.

To another question, he said the apex committee could not call Sardar Akhtar Mengal as he was not part of it. He also announced Rs2 million for the victims and compensation for those whose vehicles were torched during the recent incidents of terrorism.

He said, “Terrorists have no religion, sect or ethnicity and they should be treated as terrorist only.” He said that in Baloch traditions, travellers are very important and Baloch have a lot of respect and esteem for women and children.

“No Islamic or even Baloch traditions allow killing innocent human beings in front of women or children. The state is standing with oppressed people and with the family members of all those who lost their dear ones in the recent terrorism incidents,” he added.

The Balochistan CM said the BLA had attacked nine places in Balochistan and hit soft targets except one which was a paramilitary installation and three Frontier Corps personnel were martyred in it. All other targets were civilians which exposed the capacity of terrorists.

He also thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, who had visited Balochistan and an apex committee meeting was held there. The Balochistan CM said that ‘Disgruntled Baloch’ was not a right term, they are only terrorists and there is a ruling of the then Speaker Quddus Bizenjo in this regard which he had given in the Balochistan Assembly. An all-out effort will be made to eradicate terrorism from Balochistan and establish the writ of state in real sense, he maintained.

Meanwhile, Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Quetta Corps Commander Lt Gen Rahat Naseem visited the residence of Shaheed Captain Muhammad Ali Qureshi here in Naseerabad area on Sunday and offered condolences to the family members.

They met the parents of Shaheed and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family members to bear the loss with fortitude. Special tribute was paid to Shaheed Captain Ali Qureshi.

Naqvi said the Shaheed Captain bravely fought with terrorists and foiled their nefarious designs. Bugti said, “Shaheed Captain Ali Qureshi was a brave son of soil and we pay tribute to his courage.” Lt-Gen Rahat Naseem said sacrifice of the Shaheed was a symbol of unflinching resolve of Pak Army and people of Pakistan against terrorism.

Later, all the three visitors went to the grave of Shaheed Captain, laid a wreath and offered Fateha. Captain Ali Qureshi embraced martyrdom on August 26 while fighting with terrorists in Balochistan.