On Quetta visit, PM Shehbaz says Balochistan attacks ‘wicked scheme’ devised by terrorists

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the recent deadly terrorist attacks in Balochistan were a “wicked scheme” devised by militants, as he visited the province to assess the security situation there.

In the latest outbreak of violence, scores of militants linked with the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group, began a series of strikes across Balochistan on Sunday midnight, targeting both security officers and civilians.

KEEP READING:

Final notice to Pakistan: Iran to move arbitration court next month on IP gas pipeline

Who Is Natasha Danish Ali, Pak Industrialist’s Wife Accused Of Killing 2

Aleem vows to expand crucial motorway projects

At least 50 people were killed, including 14 security personnel, as extremists went on a rampage around the province, attacking police stations, blowing up railway tracks, and setting fire to over three dozen cars. In response, security forces eliminated 21 insurgents.

23 persons were slain at Musakhail, the majority of them were Punjabi workers who were offloaded from trucks and vans and shot following an identity check.

After arriving in Quetta earlier today, PM Shehbaz presided over a high-level meeting of the National Action Plan’s province apex committee.

The conference was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and other senior government and security officials.

“Terrorist organisations and the khawarij, who are Pakistan’s enemies, and infiltrators from within concocted this impure scheme, as a result of which Pakistanis were martyred,” the premier told the Senate intelligence committee.

“There has been a wave of great concern among the people across Pakistan due to the recent heartrending incident that occurred in Balochistan,” Shehbaz, the prime minister, remarked.

“Everyone is upset about this incident,” the prime minister stated.

“However, I think that at the moment, we have to decide that we must fully eradicate terrorism from Balochistan through our collective vision, power, and unwavering determination,” the prime minister claimed.

PM Shehbaz emphasized the need to remove “all obstacles from its path to progress” while highlighting the province’s “extremely important and beautiful” status.

Recalling that those who died included law enforcement officers and sepoys, jawaans (people) from the Levies and Frontier Constabulary, as well as civilians,” Shehbaz underlined that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

The prime minister underlined his determination to exterminate terrorism under the leadership of Gen Munir and CM Bugti, pledging the federal government’s complete assistance in that regard.

He pledged to eradicate “terrorism that has surged again since 2018” not only in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but across the country.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, PM Shehbaz was accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, and other officials.

When the premier arrived at Quetta Airport, he was greeted by head Minister Bugti, Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir, and recently appointed provincial police head Moazzam Jah Ansari.

Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Abdul Rehman Khetran, and other high-ranking government officials were also there to greet him.

When Naqvi visited Balochistan on Tuesday, he offered his full support for the provincial government’s efforts to battle terrorism.

While Prime Minister Shehbaz said on Tuesday that there was “no room for any weakness,” President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered strong steps to achieve the “complete elimination” of terrorists.