ISLAMABAD: Terming the August 26 terrorist attacks in Balochistan a conspiracy to sabotage the upcoming meeting of Shan­ghai Cooperation Orga­nisation (SCO) scheduled for October in Pakis­tan, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said the government is aware of the elements behind these, and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to confront and defeat anti-state forces.

Winding up the Senate discussion on the Balo­chistan situation on Fri­day, he revealed that clear links have exposed the hidden hand behind the coordinated attacks executed by more than one terrorist organisation.

Without naming India or any other country, the minister said certain forces did not want the important event [SCO] to take place in Pakistan, urging all political forces to stand united against those who pick up the guns and challenge the writ of the state. Spelling out the government’s policy, he said everyone who accepts the state would be given respect. “They may have some differences which the government will try its utmost to address.”

Mr Naqvi, however, warned that no one will be allowed to take up arms against the state, emphasising that those who pick up guns and challenge the state’s authority will be confronted and meted out the treatment that terrorists deserve.

The minister informed the house that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his recent visit to Quetta, held meetings with all political stakeholders to address their issues. He said the prime minister had ordered the provision of Rs5 billion to the Balochistan police’s Counter-Terrorism Dep­art­ment, while Rs8bn had been allocated for provincial divisions, which would be utilised to resolve local issues.

Mr Naqvi said 30 to 40 officials would be deputed in the province over the next 15 days to overcome the shortage of federal government employees there. He said no operation was going on in Balochistan.

In response to a question about the legal status of the Apex Committee asked by a lawmaker who sought to know if the panel was over and above parliament, the minister said parliament was and will remain supreme.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz, while commenting on the interior minister’s statement, said it was beyond their comprehension that the latter had termed the recent incident in Balochistan of the level of an SHO.

He contended the issue was complex, as the province had undergone significant changes and the concerns of its youth needed to be addressed through engagement with stakeholders.

Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan proposed holding a Senate session in Quetta and listening to the grievances of the victims there, asking where are human rights bodies now and why don’t they condemn the recent gory incident in Balochistan.

Senator Bilal Ahmad Mandokhail emphasised the need to own Balochistan and its people. “We have not acknowledged the importance and potential of Pakistan’s area-wise largest and population-wise smallest province, but the country’s enemies know it very well and that is why their eyes are focused on it.”

He said it needed to be seen in retrospect as to whether the use of force, exercised in the past, had produced positive results or not.

“If use of force produced desired results, only then one may go for greater use of force.”

He called for a political solution to the issue before it was too late and doors for dialogue were shut.

At one point, Shibli Faraz claimed that the government’s days were numbered, suggesting that a change could occur within weeks or months.

He made the comment while noting the absence of ministers in the house, and rhetorically asked, “Are we talking to walls?”.

An interesting situation arose during the session when PTI Senator Dost Mohammad Khan said: “If you want to end terrorism, then release Imran Khan because he is an expert in terrorism”.

PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui, who was presiding over the session in the absence of the Senate chairman and his deputy, asked Senator Khan to correct his statement, saying he probably meant that Imran Khan was an “expert in eliminating terrorism”.

Caught up in the moment, the PTI senator immediately respo­nded: “You are from the opposing party, that’s why you are saying this, sir.”

At this, PTI leaders Shibli Faraz and Mohsin Aziz attempted to clarify the situation to their colleague but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Senator Faraz even tried to explain in Pashto, but failed to convince his fellow colleague.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2024