THE arrest of Professor Usman Qazi of the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) on charges of facilitating the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has sent shockwaves across Pakistan.
A respected academic with a PhD in Pakistan Studies, Dr Qazi — along with his wife, also a government employee — is accused of aiding one of the deadliest terrorist networks in the province, exposing a disturbing trend of educated elites and state officials aligning with militant outfits.
As revealed by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti in a press briefing, Dr Qazi admitted upon his arrest that he was planning an attack on August 14, 2025, which could have targeted children and women participating in Independence Day celebrations. Mr Bugti further highlighted that the professor was also involved in the suicide bombing at Quetta Railway Station in November 2024, where he transported the bomber on a motorcycle to the site. In addition, Dr Qazi confessed to providing logistical support to members of the BLA and its Majeed Brigade, including sheltering them at his residence in Quetta. The Quetta Railway Station attack claimed 32 innocent lives and left more than 50 injured.
The revelations shocked the entire academic community, as it emerged that Dr Qazi had maintained contact with the BLA and its Majeed Brigade through encrypted apps such as Telegram and even provided medical facilities to terrorists at his home. He was actively motivating misguided Baloch youth to become suicide bombers against the state, its institutions and innocent civilians. Several other government officials are also under investigation for their alleged involvement in aiding or being linked with banned outfits like the BLA.
Tracing the history of high profile terrorists in the province, in December 2023, a sub-nationalist leader of Baloch National Army (BNA) Mr Sarfraz Bangulzai surrendered to the state along with his seventy active associates. Earlier Mr Gulzar Imam Shambay had also surrendered to the state after his arrest in April 2023. Mr Shambay has confessed his involvement in militancy and anti-state activities. Mr Sarfraz Bangulzai became commander of the banned militant group Baloch National Army in 2009. During this time period, he along with his separatist outfit has greatly harmed the province and state. Prior to joining this militant group, Mr Sarfraz Bangulzai was a government officer in the Government of Balochistan.
Mr Bangulzai revealed details about terrorism in the province and said that India is fully sponsoring all the terrorist organizations in Balochistan with all possible means including training, provision of weapons and financial assistance. Besides, successive Afghan governments including the incumbent Taliban-led interim Afghan Government have been supporting the militancy and sub-nationalism in the province. He also disclosed that Baloch separatist leaders, living abroad and sponsoring this militancy are enjoying their lives with their families in luxuries while the poor Baloch youth are misled for undertaking this undesirable and dirty task against the state and society of Pakistan.
This is very unfortunate that the blood of Baloch people is being shed by Baloch hands. Innocent lives were lost for resisting extortion. Families are living in fear and the youth are paying the price. Indian money has provided [BNA] commanders with luxuries.” He further said, “I have seen with my own eyes how India funds terrorism in Balochistan. The so-called Baloch leaders abroad are living comfortable lives while our people suffer.”Mr Gulzar Imam Shambay, the founding commander of BNA arrested in April 2023 had similar revelations. Mr Shambay said that he had links with spying networks of India and Afghanistan (RAW and NDS). He also appealed to the militants, especially his own militant group (BNA) to give up arms and surrender to the state. He appealed the Baloch militants; “leave their armed rebellion and better join the national mainstream to work for the development and prosperity of Balochistan and the country”. The common narrative that there is a sense of deprivation in the province that provokes such sentiments fails in the case of Dr Qazi since he and his wife are government employees. Same is applicable to many other government officials who are under investigation.
This is an alarming state of affairs, where educated people and government employees are becoming part of terrorist organizations. The Federal and Provincial governments must take immediate measures to address the rising trends of terrorism. As a way forward, there is a requirement to establish immediate connection and engagement with the youth and general masses of the province by Federal and Provincial governments.
This engagement should be initiated simultaneously at three levels: social, political and economic. Social engagement is the most important, since masses and youth need immediate attention and motivation to remain away from becoming part of such outfits. The youth standing at the fence must be socially motivated not to opt for these banned organizations.
After social engagement, the economic and political engagements should be initiated. This includes; economic wellbeing and creating stakes of the local masses in the major decision making process of the province while engaging the local notables and literate youth at gross-root level. Indeed, political engagement is all about empowering the youth and local notables through ownership; a dual process of engagement and increasing the stakes. This will transform the youth towards progress and development rather than becoming part of terrorist organizations.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
