PM Shehbaz in Quetta to review security situation following Balochistan attacks

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has landed in Quetta for a one-day trip to assess Balochistan’s security situation following multiple terrorist attacks last week.

In the latest flare-up of violence, dozens of militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) — a separatist outfit — launched numerous attacks on Sunday midnight across Balochistan, targeting security personnel as well as civilians.

At least 50 people, including 14 security men, lost their lives as militants went on a rampage across the province, storming police stations, blowing up railway tracks, and setting fire to almost three dozen vehicles. In response, security forces neutralised 21 militants.

Among those killed were 23 people in Musakhail, mostly labourers from Punjab, who were offloaded from trucks and vans and shot dead after an identity check.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, Shehbaz was accompanied by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan among other officials.

“During his visit to Quetta, he will chair a high-level meeting on overall law and order,” the report said.

Upon arrival at Quetta Airport, the premier was received by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir, and newly-appointed provincial police chief Moazzam Jah Ansari.

Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Abdul Rehman Khetran, and other senior government officials were also present to welcome him.

Naqvi has vowed his full support for the Balochistan government in combating terrorism when he visited the province on Tuesday.

While PM Shehbaz had asserted that there was “no room for any weakness”, President Asif Ali Zardari had ordered effective measures to ensure the “complete elimination” of terrorism.