QUETTA: Taking part in a deb­ate on a motion on law and order, treasury and opposition members of Balochistan Asse­mbly on Friday expressed concern over the situation and underlined the need for concrete measures to restore peace.

Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and members from both sides made these remarks while participating in the debate in the assembly session, presided over by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai.

They said that some forces, in connivance with foreign powers, were attempting to worsen the situation to achieve their nefarious designs.

Opposition leader Mir Younis Zehri initiated the debate, citing the killing of JUI-F leader Aslam Umrani in the presence of police. He also mentioned the killing of another JUI-F leader, Maulana Sadiq, with no clues found so far.

Extortion money

CM Bugti stated that no group would be allowed to challenge the state authority, and all possible steps would be taken to fight against elements making conspiracies against the country.

CM Bugti warns against forces trying to sabotage CPEC

He alleged that an intelligence war had been initiated by RAW against Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, where people were being killed under the pretext of being informers, and extortion money was being collected from mine owners.

A special in-camera assembly session would be convened to discuss this matter, the CM assured the house.

He said that as the second phase of CPEC was about to begin, those who had been opposing it suddenly decided to hold a gathering in Gwadar to sabotage it.

He said there were reports that the Baloch Liberation Army wanted to attack Gwadar, taking advantage of the gathering. Yet some individuals were on the streets acting as spokespersons for ‘terrorists’, he said, advising the protesters to hold their demonstration at the Hockey Chowk.

In Balochistan, he regretted, some people were being used as “proxies” for miscreants and terrorists, being sent to the streets to provoke the police and the government to take action against them.

He said there was a conspiracy to create discord between armed forces, elected representatives and the public through social media.

During the sit-in on Sariab Road, the civil administration negotiated with the protesters, but they attempted to take over the Red Zone, where the government machinery operates.

When a group tries to take over the governmental system yet claiming to be peaceful, the government would enforce its writ, the CM added.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024