Attacks in Balochistan planned abroad: Shah

Interior minister says local leaders will be included in security-related decisions

QUETTA: Federal Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah has said that the attacks that have taken place in the province were planned abroad while also hinting at the involvement of inimical forces in sabotaging Balochistan’s peace.

The interior minister, who met Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal at his office in the provincial capital, also discussed matters related to law and order, smuggling, the establishment of markets on the border areas of the province, and other matters of mutual interest.

While lauding the efforts of law-enforcement agencies, Shah acknowledged that the province was facing a myriad of “complex and intractable issues”, including a militant insurgency, porous border, the issue of missing persons, widespread poverty and unemployment among others.

“It is really difficult to understand the problems of the province. One has to spend time in Balochistan to understand the extent of the problem,” he observed.

During the meeting, it was also stressed that all the decisions about the province must be taken with the consent of the local leadership and people’s representatives.

The chief minister observed that efforts were afoot to highlight the challenges faced by the province at every forum based on ground realities. “This is the only way through which we can convey our point of view to others,” said Kamal.

They also discussed measures taken to root out terrorism and promote counter-narratives of violent-extremism.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Captain (retd) FazeelAsghar also attended the meeting.

Earlier, Shah met Balochistan Governor Justice (retd) Amanullah Khan Yasinzai at the Governor House Quetta.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2019.