Balochistan to take action against officials involved in anti-state activities, propaganda

• No highways to be closed in Balochistan: Sarfaraz CM Bugti.
• Says state's writ to be maintained at any cost in the province.
• Directs anti-state elements' inclusion in the Fourth Schedule.

QUETTA: In light of the precarious law and order situation in the province, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has ordered strict action against government employees involved in anti-state activities and propaganda, The News reported on Tuesday.

Addressing a high-level meeting on the overall law and order situation in Balochistan, CM Bugti directed all the commissioners and district officers to identify employees — involved in such activities — and take legal action against them.

The provincial chief executive's measures come against the backdrop of much turmoil in the province which has witnessed scores of fatalities in terrorist attacks in recent weeks.

At least eight people, four labourers and the same number of police personnel were gunned down in two separate attacks in Kalat and Nushki districts, respectively on Saturday.

Before that, dozens of Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists blew up a railway track and took over 440 passengers travelling in the Jaffar Express.

The security forces, after a complex clearance operation, neutralised 33 attackers and rescued the hostage passengers.

Apart from five operational casualties, as many as 26 passengers were martyred by the terrorists, of which 18 were security personnel belonging to the Pakistan Army and the Frontier Corps (FC), three were officials from Pakistan Railways and other departments, and five were civilians.

Also, three FC personnel were martyred in the militants' attack targeting a picket before the train ambush.

Apart from terrorism, the province has also been marred by protests and resulting turmoil caused by Balcoh Yakjehti Committee's(BYC) alleged attack on the Civil Hospital and forcibly taking the bodies of attackers from the Jaffer Express train incident.

BYC leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch Beebow Baloch, Gulzadi Satakzai, Sabiha Baloch, Sabatullah Baloch, Gulzar Dost, Riaz Gashkori, Dr Shali Baloch and others have been named in a first information report (FIR) which provisions alleging violations of sections 7 and 11W of the Anti-Terrorism Act, as well as 16 sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

These charges cover terrorism, murder, attempted murder, incitement to violence and rebellion, creating disorder, promoting racial hatred and damaging property.

Mahrang, along with 17 others, was arrested and is currently being held at the Quetta District Jail under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

The case accused Mahrang and the BYC leadership of assisting rioters in shooting police officers, passersby, civilians, and their protesting colleagues, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left 15 police officers injured.

Meanwhile, CM Bugti, during the meeting attended by Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, IG Police Mozam Jah Ansari and other senior officials, emphasised that it was unacceptable for anyone to draw a salary from the government while criticising its policies and giving priority to their personal opinions over state policies.

Reiterating that the state's writ will be maintained at any cost in the province, he said that no highways in Balochistan will be closed, and any form of anti-state activities will not be tolerated.

The provincial chief executive further directed that anti-state elements at the district level be closely monitored and that they be included in the Fourth Schedule for proper surveillance.

Announcing that the national anthem must be played, and the national flag must be hoisted in all educational institutions across Balochistan, he warned that heads of institutions failing to comply with these orders would be required to resign.

The CM also instructed district officers to promote government policies in public gatherings and raise awareness among the people that the government is providing ample opportunities for education and development to Balochistan youth.

He stated that the country’s enemies are misleading the Baloch youth into a futile war that will yield no results.

Bugti emphasised that Balochistan’s culture is rich in traditions, and the killing of innocent labourers and travellers is a brutal act.

He stated that the culture being artificially imposed today is not the true Baloch culture, where women have removed their veils, and men have covered their faces. He urged that instead of leading the youth into a futile war, they should be guided towards the path of development and prosperity.