Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday stated that the issue of Baloch families was being “negatively projected”, saying that it was in sharp contrast to the reality as Balochs were standing with the state of Pakistan
In response to media queries, during his visit to the Business Facilitation Centre in Lahore, PM Kakar highlighted the involvement of terrorists and armed militants in the killing of the people of Balochistan, including doctors, lawyers, and teachers.
He slammed “elements” who were backing armed militants under the guise of supporting Baloch protesters.
PM Kakar asserted that the state won’t accept those elements who were supporting terrorists and armed militants. PM Kakar, referring to criticism by a section of media, said that the protest of the Baloch families in Islamabad was being painted wrongly and in sharp contrast to realities as the Baloch people stood with the state.
The premier said that there was no restriction on freedom of expression and every citizen has the right to protest within constitutional limits. “The families have the right to protest for their beloved ones but others are just launching baseless criticism.”
He, however, the state won’t allow elements backing and spreading the narrative of militants and terrorists. The prime minister added that it was not his mandate to respond to those criticising him on social media.
“Those who want to support them [armed militants] should join the camp of the militant outfits who termed terrorism as a movement,” he added.
He said that the terrorists in Balochistan had been receiving funding from the Indian spy agency, Research and Analysis Wing, and killing people in Balochistan.
The caretaker prime minister said that about 90,000 people had been killed in the fight against terrorism but hardly any nine accused had been convicted so far.
The prime minister opined that the criminal justice system in the country required improvement.
Answering a question, PM Kakar said that the firing incident in Dera Ismail Khan over vehicles of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman was alarming.
He added that the government was responding to security threats in the southern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with all the available resources.
He vowed that all the resources and security apparatus would be utilised to ensure the holding of general elections peacefully.
He also strongly criticised those who had likened the use of water cannons against Baloch protesters to the situation in Gaza, which is being bombarded by Israel, adding that such people should introspect and reflect.
“I ask them, are they comparing the Pakistani state to the Israeli state? […] Our quarrel is not at all with the families [of missing persons]. They have come before and protested, are still protesting and will protest.
“It came to my knowledge that they had a confrontation with the police and that too was blown way out of proportion,” he said. Kakar said that many had thought they could become “heroes” by joining the movement, but added that it was not that simple.
The prime minister said there were militant organisations, such as the Baloch Liberation Army, the Baloch Liberation Front and the Baloch Republican Army, which believed in an armed struggle against the Pakistani state.
He said the organisations had “killed 3,000-5,000 people”. Kakar said the militants associated with these outfits also had relatives of their own, who protested in their favour.
“We accept the right to protest but we do not accept [acts of] terrorism by those linked with [Baloch] families,” he said.
PM Kakar said all those “wanting to become their supporters” should go and join the militant organisations to make it clear where their loyalties stood.
“I am listening to this repeated mocking of me regarding my ethnicity. What should we do? Give them the licence to kill? […] I want to reiterate that our fight is not with the families because it was not their decision that people associated with them took part in terrorism.”
Kakar said that Baloch families had the right to protest and speak even if they thought their relatives had participated in terrorism.
He said using water cannons was “standard practice”, adding that the government had told the Baloch protesters that it was ready to talk with them. “Look at the demands they gave, I find it painful to even repeat them,” he said.
He said everyone questioned him about the treatment of Baloch protesters in Islamabad but no one held him to account for “14 people burning to death on the coastal highway”.
Kakar said “98 per cent” of the Baloch community stood with the country. The premier reiterated he had no quarrel with Baloch families but with “fake and lying sympathisers”.
