PM Shehbaz visits Balochistan to review security situation

Days after a series of terrorist attacks claimed the lives of dozens of people in Balochistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Quetta on Thursday for a one-day visit with a goal of assessing the law-and-order situation as well as provincial security.

The prime minister will hold a high-level discussion meeting on the state of security, law, and order in the country. Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan will also be in attendance.

The prime minister’s visit takes place in the wake of recent violent terrorist assaults in which at least 37 people lost their lives in various. In the Rarasham district of Musakhel, Balochistan, at least 23 people were murdered after being offloaded from passenger buses and trucks. Separately, a gun attack in Kalat claimed the lives of at least ten individuals, including members of the police and Balochistan Levies.

In addition, at least 10 soldiers of the security forces and 4 members of law enforcement agencies (LEAs), lost their lives in clearance operations, which were carried out after at least 37 individuals died in various terrorist incidents, whereas 21 militants were killed.

Both the federal and provincial administrations have condemned the recent killings. PM Shehbaz in a cabinet meeting also declared dismissing negotiations and a “soft approach” to deal with the enemy, saying “Doors of negotiations are open only for those who recognise the Pakistan Constitution”.

Federal Interior Minister Naqvi however, emphasized that there is a need to “go after” individuals who are supporting these acts.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has also promised to take tough measures against the terrorists “without launching any grand operation.”