President Asif Ali Zardari has said attempts by foreign-backed terrorists to disrupt development in Balochistan will be foiled at all costs, expressing confidence that terrorism would soon be eliminated from the province.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the president made these remarks during a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad.
During the meeting, CM Bugti briefed President Zardari on the security situation in Balochistan and ongoing measures for the province’s development.
President Zardari stressed the need for effective coordination between the federal and provincial governments to ensure peace, development and public welfare in Balochistan.
“Pakistan’s largest province in terms of area deserves special attention and resources,” the president said, according to the statement.
PPP Women’s Wing President Faryal Talpur and former Balochistan provincial minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri also attended the meeting.
The meeting was held amid persistent terrorist attacks and lawlessness in Balochistan, including attacks targeting key infrastructure.
A week earlier, unidentified attackers blew up a major gas pipeline in Bolan’s Kacchi district, disrupting gas supplies to several towns and cities.
On July 13, two 220kV high-voltage transmission pylons were also blown up while two others were partially damaged near the Uch Power Plant in Dera Murad Jamali. The attack disrupted electricity supplies to Quetta, Sibi and other parts of the province.
Meanwhile, security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations against militants across Balochistan.
In the latest operation, nine terrorists were killed in Ziarat, Harnai and Surab, according to state media.
Earlier, two terrorists were killed and three others wounded in an intelligence-based operation in Killi Zaik, while seven militants were eliminated in Kharan’s Lajay area.
On Saturday, security forces killed 10 terrorists and injured several others during an operation in Shor Pard, Khuzdar.
This followed the killing of at least 18 terrorists in Surab, including eight who died in a premature explosion, according to the military’s media wing.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) recently reported a significant deterioration in Balochistan’s security situation.
According to its monthly assessment, deaths in the province increased by 241 per cent, rising from 109 in June to 372 in July.
The report said deaths among security personnel surged from six in June to 62 in July, while terrorist fatalities increased from 75 to 238. Civilian deaths also rose by 93pc, from 28 to 54, while 18 members of peace committees were killed during the month.
