QUETTA: The narrative accusing the state of refusing to return the bodies of so-called “Baloch martyrs” is not only misleading but part of a broader campaign of false propaganda aimed at defaming the state and legitimizing acts of terrorism. It seeks to blur the lines between criminal militancy and political resistance, portraying members of the proscribed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a group recognized internationally as a terrorist organization, as victims of state repression.
This is not only factually inaccurate but dangerously undermines the sacrifices of civilians, law enforcement officers, and the state’s continuous efforts to maintain peace in the region.
The BLA has a documented history of terrorism, including targeted killings, kidnappings, bombings, and attacks on public infrastructure. They have routinely launched violent assaults on security forces and civilians alike, disrupting the lives of ordinary Baloch citizens who yearn for peace and progress.
In this regard, to suggest that such individuals should be glorified as martyrs is a distortion of reality. Terrorism cannot and must not be romanticized as resistance.
Furthermore, the state, while firmly upholding its counterterrorism policy, has never operated outside the bounds of law. The claim that the state has adopted a systematic policy to withhold bodies of militants is a politicized assertion lacking credible evidence. The state’s responsibility is first and foremost the safety and dignity of its citizens, including those threatened by further militant mobilization during funerals turned into protests.
However, assertions linking Pakistan’s actions to those of other global regimes are part of a deliberate attempt to internationalize a domestic security issue. These comparisons ignore the unique security dynamics of Balochistan, where state efforts remain focused on eliminating terrorist threats while respecting the rights of its people.
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It is essential to distinguish between legitimate grievances and violent insurgency. So far, the propaganda that misrepresents terrorists as heroes does a disservice to the Baloch people, who deserve and have development, opportunity, and peace, not the tyranny of militancy disguised as resistance.
