ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly that Balochistan’s difficult terrain necessitates a large military presence. He said the government has taken strict measures to curb smuggling, which led to major protests at the Chaman border. Protesters demanded talks with nationalist movements.
Khawaja Asif dismissed these groups as neither genuinely political nor nationalist. He said their campaigns are primarily aimed at protecting business losses and earning billions of rupees daily through oil smuggling.
The minister added that criminal elements under the guise of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) provide protection to smugglers. He also alleged a nexus exists among tribal elders, bureaucrats, and separatist movements in the province.
He emphasized that Balochistan’s geography makes large-scale deployment of troops unavoidable. The province has approximately 26,000 kilometers of roads, which officials say are exploited by smugglers.
Authorities estimate that militants earn around 4 billion rupees daily from smuggling operations. Khawaja Asif warned that Indian-backed proxies operate in the region, supporting anti-state elements.
The minister concluded that security operations and anti-smuggling measures are essential to stabilize Balochistan and safeguard state interests.
