“The letter regarding the activity of IS was routine information of officers which had been passed to the federal government. There was nothing serious about IS in Balochistan,” Durrani told The Express Tribune, referring to media reports that the provincial government has conveyed a report to the federal government and law enforcement agencies warning of increased footprints of IS in the province.
“We routinely send letters regarding the activities that happen in Balochistan. Neither IS exists nor their sympathisers in Balochistan,” he added.
“There could be a few people involved in walk-chalking. This is restricted in slogans. Nothing more than that,” he added.
“The ideology of IS is based on hatred against Shias, while 99.9% of the people in Balochistan do not feel the same way. Similarly, Shias do not have the same feelings for Sunni Muslims,” he added.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch also confirmed that there is no presence of IS in Balochistan but added that like-minded people do exist in the province.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in a recent fact-finding mission has voiced its concern over the growing presence of extremist groups in Balochistan, which the commission said is only meant to replace the Baloch nationalists and counter their movement.
Asma Jahangir, human rights lawyer and member of the fact-finding mission, has said that religious groups had been given space in Balochistan deliberately.
“It is the biggest concern for the HRCP,” she said, adding that it would be a grave problem. “It is ironic that no one (security agencies and security forces) is taking action against these religious groups who are consolidating their positions in Balochistan,” Jahangir added.
COMMENTS (10)
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ISIS is ideology and have enough supporters in Pakistan...being careful is the only solution....
@ajeet: According to the recent gossip Osama's body was buried in pakistan in return for safe passage of the navy seals to Afghanistan. Wife of Osama can confirm this; which is really strange why nobody has asked her.
Pakistanis are biggest isis supporters so are muslims of kashmir
Didn't Pakistan say the same about a guy found hiding in abbottabad?
Oh really??? A government that has no clue who perpetrates the killings on innocent Hazaras is making an outlandish claim such as this?? Shame has taken a whole new dimension in Balochistan, I suppose!
Already in denial?
Regarding sympos government is ignorant
These are the same people that said Osama was not in Pakistan. it's a shame our leaders are out of touch with reality
Yeah coz Balochistan is already enough infiltrated with RAW paid agents...
Government is always ignorant . they never take any issue seriously.