Provincial Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani on Saturday ruled out the possibility of Islamic State militants gaining a toe-hold in Balochistan, despite the growing appearance of wall chalking and graffiti in their support.
Durrani also dismissed a letter claiming that the militant group, working out of Syria and Iraq, had an increased footprint in Pakistan. “It’s just routine information which has been passed on to the federal government. There is nothing serious in connection with the IS in Balochistan,” Durrani told The Express Tribune. “Neither ISIS, nor its sympathizers exist in Balochistan.”
He admitted that there was wall chalking comprising slogans in support of IS in different areas of Balochistan.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), in a recent fact finding mission, voiced its concern over the growing presence of extremist groups in Balochistan. According to the commission, it is meant to replace the Baloch nationalists and counter their movement.
Asma Jahangir, a founding member of the HRCP and member of the fact-finding mission, said that religious groups have been given space in Balochistan deliberately. “It is the biggest concern for the HRCP,” she said, adding that this would develop into a great problem in the future. “It is ironic that no one, including security agencies and security forces, is taking action against these religious groups who are consolidating their positions in Balochistan,” Jahangir added.
Though Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch also believes that IS militants do not have any presence in Balochistan, he does not rule out the possibility of several like minded groups in the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2014.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ