No Tribal Leader Supports Militancy Against the State, Says Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran

QUETTA: Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran has said that no tribal leader supports militancy or stands against the state, stressing that violence and insecurity are the main obstacles to development in Balochistan.

In an interview with an international media organization, Khetran said that militants of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) carried out attacks twice in his native area of Barkhan, but were given a “strong response,” after which they no longer dared to operate there.

“I am also a sardaar, and my area is Barkhan. The BLA carried out attacks twice, but we responded decisively. Now they do not even look towards this area,” he said. He questioned which tribal leader would support militants and create hostility with the state, adding that no sardaar is against development.

Khetran criticized extremist groups for allegedly using women like Mahrang Baloch as a shield, claiming they oppose the tribal system and, in the name of Baloch rights, are working on what he termed an anti-Balochistan agenda. He said that no one stops people from getting an education or appearing in exams for jobs. “Who is stopping them from studying or getting jobs? What rights are they actually demanding?” he asked.

Highlighting development challenges, Khetran said Balochistan is a vast province with a small population and long distances. He noted that out of an annual development budget of around Rs1,000 billion, nearly Rs800 billion is spent on security matters, leaving only Rs200 billion for development projects. “With such limited funds, how much development can really take place?” he said.

He added that attacks on trains, destruction of schools and hospitals, and the abduction of people working on road construction make development impossible. “Our biggest enemy to development is not anyone else, but ourselves,” he remarked.

Speaking about the Afghan border, Khetran said that while its closure has caused economic losses, it has significantly reduced terrorism and smuggling. “Weapons and smuggled goods can no longer come from that side, which has also cut off financial support for extremists and terrorists,” he added.