QUETTA: Balochistan’s former interior minister Jan Achakzai has stated that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) comprises approximately 1,200 to 1,500 active members who only become operational when supported by foreign funding.
He emphasized that these militants cannot withstand the power of the Pakistani state, which had successfully countered far greater threats like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Stressing Pakistan’s status as a nuclear power, Jamali asserted that no external force can suppress the country.
In a televised Interview he pointed to former tribal chief Akbar Bugti as the mastermind behind past disturbances in Balochistan, declaring that the formation of a commission to investigate Bugti’s case was a grave mistake.
According to Jamali, the unrest in Balochistan was never rooted in a formal agreement or movement but was driven by self-serving tribal leaders, including Brahamdagh Bugti, who allegedly received funding from India to incite violence.
Achakzai further revealed that operatives such as Ashok Chakurborty—currently in the custody of the counter-terrorism department—were actively supporting terror groups.
He added that an Indian Army officer is running a fake social media account named “Fatima” as part of a broader disinformation campaign, involving over 25,000 accounts sharing 8,000 anti-Pakistan posts daily.
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He clarified that the people of Balochistan do not seek secession, and only a handful of militants are responsible for the chaos. He stressed the need to differentiate between terrorism and peaceful political activism, justifying strong measures against those involved in violence.
On the economic front, Achakzai noted that under the 18th Amendment, the federal government was excluded from a share in mineral resources—a decision he believes should be revisited. He also highlighted that Balochistan receives Rs. 1,000 billion under the NFC Award, calling for a transparent and accountable system to ensure provincial development.
