Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday dismissed the presence of an insurgency in the province, blaming “India-backed so-called separatist movements” for escalating violence.
Addressing participants at the 17th National Workshop in Quetta, Bugti accused India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), of playing a “clear role” in destabilizing Balochistan. “There is no insurgency, only so-called separatist movements supported by India,” he said, adding that such elements seek to harm and divide Pakistan.
Bugti said separatists have used social media propaganda to create rifts between the youth and the state. He urged national unity against terrorism, announcing that Rs100 million has been allocated to enhance the Counter-Terrorism Department’s capacity.
According to data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies and the Centre for Research and Security Studies, attacks by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army and Balochistan Liberation Front surged by 119 percent this year, accounting for 171 incidents in the province alone.
“The purpose of these anti-state elements is to harm and divide Pakistan,” Bugti said.