ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advisor on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, said on Monday that militants operating in Balochistan are enemies of Pakistan, not merely dissatisfied groups. He rejected calls for negotiations with them.
Speaking in the Senate, Sanaullah said criminal groups can carry out attacks anywhere. “These militants do not represent grievances. They are Pakistan’s enemies trying to divide the country,” he said.
He questioned whether these groups ever respected or participated in the state system.
The advisor highlighted recent security operations. Seventeen security personnel and 33 civilians were killed in attacks, while 170 militants were neutralized and several captured, he said.
Sanaullah warned that ambiguity empowers militants. “There should be no hesitation in calling these terrorists what they are,” he said.
He referred to the Jaafar Express attack, condemning the killing of innocent civilians, including children and women. He called the attack “a grave crime against humanity” and said no struggle or grievance justifies such actions.
The advisor credited Pakistan’s armed forces for delivering a decisive blow to enemy elements. He said the militants act as proxies for hostile forces and carry out attacks on their instructions.
He noted that following the failure of Operation Sandour, militants have attempted proxy warfare under “Operation Sandour II” to carry out criminal activities.
Sanaullah said militants challenge the writ of the state but cannot match Pakistan’s armed forces or law enforcement agencies. He emphasized that clear and firm positions against terrorism are essential.
He called for full support of security agencies in their ongoing counterterrorism operations.
