Apex Committee Approves Comprehensive Military Operation in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD, 19/11/2024 – In a meeting of the Apex Committee chaired by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a comprehensive military operation was approved against what Pakistani media described as “terrorist organizations” operating in Balochistan.

The meeting was attended by top military and civilian leadership, including the chief ministers of the provinces, heads of intelligence agencies, and relevant federal ministers. The Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan also participated in the discussions.

The Apex Committee deliberated on the worsening security situation, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the southern districts of Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the urgency of eradicating terrorism, calling it the country’s most pressing challenge. He described the ongoing violence in these regions as a form of “brutal savagery” and stressed that eliminating terrorism is a top priority for the government.

Operation in Balochistan

The committee approved a large-scale military operation targeting several pro-independence armed organizations in Balochistan including the Majeed Brigade, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), and Baloch Republican Army (BRA).

These groups have been accused of targeting “innocent civilians,” including foreign nationals, in a bid to destabilize the region and undermine Pakistan’s economic development.

According to a recent report from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies revealed that 757 people, including civilians and security personnel, lost their lives in the first eight months of 2024 alone. The violence is primarily concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with the latter province seeing a marked increase in militant activity.

The Center for Research and Security Studies reported a staggering 90% increase in violence during the third quarter of 2024 compared to previous periods. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the security situation in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan has significantly deteriorated, with nearly 97% of the fatalities and 92% of the incidents occurring in these two provinces.

In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed frustration with the continuous protests, sit-ins and long marches in Islamabad. He questioned whether such protests and rallies truly serve Pakistan’s national interest.

He pointed out that while protests, long marches and sit-ins are common occurrences in Islamabad, these activities should not distract from the country’s primary objective of achieving progress and development.