BYC is a proxy of terrorists, says ISPR

Accuses movement leaders of toeing foreign agenda

ISLAMABAD:

The chief military spokesperson has described the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) - Baloch Rajee Mutch - and its leadership as "proxies" for "terrorists and criminal mafias".

"Let me make it clear that the BYC and its so-called leadership are nothing but a proxy of terrorist organizations, illegal spectrum, and criminal mafias," Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told reporters at a news conference in Rawalpindi on Monday.

He said: "Their (the BYC's) job is to defame the law enforcement agencies and the agencies fighting against terrorism, criminal mafias, and extortionists, to spread propaganda against them, and to create controversy around the developmental projects in Balochistan."

According to the military spokesperson, the committee's modus operandi is to gather a group under foreign narratives and funding, lure innocent civilians around this group, challenge the state's writ, engage in stone-pelting, arson, present unreasonable demands, and when the state responds, play the victim.

"And then those with foreign agendas who are behind them, in the name of human rights organizations, start speaking in their favor. This is the spectacle you witnessed in Gwadar in recent days," he added.

While showing footage of the BYC's protests, he claimed that this committee encourages violence and spreads lies. Indian social media and dissidents come in support of them, he claimed.

"The Government of Balochistan said that protest is your right. Do not block roads. Come to the designated place and present your demands.

"However, they blocked roads, causing trouble for people, stoned pilgrims, set fire [to properties] and attacked their own FC [Frontier Corps]. A soldier from Sibi was martyred by the violent mob."

According to the military spokesperson, the government and law enforcement agencies handled them appropriately and did not give them the bodies they came for.

In response to a question, he said there is no doubt that the government's writ is fully restored in Gwadar.

Despite the ongoing second round of negotiations between the government and the BYC, sit-ins continue in the coastal city of Gwadar and other cities of Balochistan.

On Sunday, negotiations were held between Balochistan's senior minister Mir Zahoor Buledi and leaders of the committee.

BYC leader Beberg Baloch said that although negotiations were being held with the government, their peaceful sit-ins would continue at various locations.

The ISPR spokesperson said there had been an increase in organized propaganda and fake news against the Pakistan Army in recent times—as previously mentioned in the last press conference.

Considering the intensification in the false propaganda, the ISPR has decided to hold press conferences regularly.

"This is why it is necessary to keep informed about the effective measures taken against terrorism and the professional activities of the Pakistan Armed Forces."

He said in this year, 23,622 small and large intelligence-based operations (IBOs) were carried out against terrorists and facilitators. In the IBOs conducted within just 15 days, 24 terrorists were killed.

General Sharif said over 100 operations are being carried out daily by the Pakistan Armed Forces, intelligence, police, and other law enforcement agencies to combat the scourge of terrorism.

He noted that in other countries, the economic contributions of the military are highly regarded, while here the military is criticized for it.

He said the Government of Pakistan had recently notified the banned TTP under the name of "Fitna Al-Khawarij".

Henceforth, it will be referred to by this name, and every terrorist associated with it will be called a Khawarij.

The reason for this is that neither the movement is related to Islam nor Pakistan.

He said on July 28 and July 29, during an IBO in the Mohmand district, a terrorist was killed.

Similarly, an important Khawarij terrorist was killed in an IBO in Dera Ismail Khan district.

The spokesperson said during counter-terrorism operations in the first seven months of 2024, 139 brave officers and soldiers embraced martyrdom.

"The entire nation pays tribute to these brave sons and their families. This shows how active the Pakistan Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, and security agencies are in making Pakistan's internal and border security more secure."

The ISPR chief highlighted the Pakistan Army's contributions in education, health, and other sectors.

In addition to counter-terrorism and military operations, the Pakistan Armed Forces, especially the Pakistan Army, actively participate in welfare activities for the public.

He said the military's special focus is on spreading education in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and the affected areas of Balochistan.

Recognizing that education is fundamental to national development, the Pakistan Armed Forces are taking comprehensive steps to provide educational resources in Balochistan.

Various educational institutions have been established in the K-P and newly merged districts, including 94 schools, 12 technical colleges, and other institutions benefiting about 80,000 children.

The Youth Employment Scheme, titled Education for All, has enrolled over 746,000 students from the K-P, many of whom are from newly merged districts. This aims to teach skills to make students productive members of society.

The ISPR chief said Balochistan's students are the future of our country, and a comprehensive scholarship programme has been launched there, providing all facilities and expenses for education. About 60,000 students are being educated with the support of provincial and federal governments.

The spokesperson said 92 schools are being run by the FC and the Pakistan Army in various areas of Balochistan, where 19,000 students are studying.

With the cooperation of the Pakistan Armed Forces, 253 students have been given scholarships for higher education in different universities in the UAE.

Additionally, the army has established 171 schools and 3 cadet colleges in the K-P, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir.

Speaking about the health sector, he said the Pakistan Army has taken numerous steps to provide basic health facilities across the country.

In various districts, the army's medical camps have treated 115,000 patients for free.

The focus is primarily on the K-P and Balochistan, where thousands of patients are receiving free treatment. In 2024 alone, 87 medical camps were set up in Balochistan.

In addition, the army's polio eradication campaign has deployed over 68,000 security personnel nationwide.

He said the Pakistan Army has taken significant measures to restore infrastructure in the K-P, completing over 3,000 projects.

Under the military's administration, institutions have contributed a total of Rs360 billion to the national treasury in taxes and duties in 2022-23 alone.

Meanwhile, the ISPR chief made it clear there was no change in the military's unwavering stance on the violent protests that occurred on May 9, 2023, emphasizing that those involved in the riots must be held accountable.

"Our position on May 9 is clear and remains unchanged, as stated in the May 7 press conference. There has been no shift in our stance, nor will there be," he stressed.

Support for Kashmiris

On the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, Lt Gen Chaudhry reiterated the Pakistan Army's unwavering support for the people of the IIOJK.

He condemned the inhuman lockdown, demographic changes, and human rights violations occurring in the region, highlighting their defiance of international law.

He stressed the need to resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

"On this significant day, the Pakistan Army pays tribute to the martyrs of the IIOJK and stands in solidarity with the Kashmiris in their struggle against injustice," he added.