CM Bugti Slams Mahrang Baloch Over ‘Propaganda’, Rules Out Parallel State in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Thursday said that the writ of the state will not be challenged, stressing the need for tougher operations against terrorists and rejecting what he called propaganda by activist Mahrang Baloch regarding missing persons.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Bugti said that security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation yesterday targeting a house where militants were hiding. “The terrorists opened fire on the forces. In retaliation, two were killed while one, identified as Jahanzaib, surrendered and was taken alive,” he said. Bugti described Jahanzaib as a hardcore militant involved in recruitment and arms supply for terrorist activities in Dalbandin.

The chief minister said that militants will be shown no leniency as they are attacking innocent civilians. “We are working for peace in Balochistan. The writ of the state will not be allowed to be challenged under any circumstances,” he asserted.

Bugti accused militant groups of destabilizing Pakistan in the name of Baloch identity. He noted that the government had made efforts for dialogue despite not being under any external pressure. “Mengal and Malik’s parties were also part of the process. But there are two kinds of people—those who did not take up arms and those who did. If someone feels deprived, does that mean they can start killing people? Violence has no justification,” he said.

Rejecting Mahrang Baloch’s stance on missing persons, Bugti said: “She is doing propaganda. We will not allow a state within a state.”