Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the present government in Balochistan, terming it "illegitimate" and warning against repeating the same mistakes that resulted in the division of Pakistan in 1971.
"How can a forced, illegitimate Balochistan government solve any problem? As a Pakistani and an ex-prime minister, I am seriously concerned about the situation in the province, particularly the frightening rise in terrorism," Khan said in a post on X on Wednesday.
Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023, denounced the use of violence against protesters. "The use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters, state-sponsored violence, and illegal detentions are deeply worrying," he said.
The PTI founder said that stability for Balochistan would never be possible unless true people's representatives were given a say in matters of decision-making. "Unless the genuine people's representatives are incorporated into the mainstream, their issues taken into consideration, and the fate of the region decided as per the people's will, things cannot get better," he cautioned.
"Increase for the army will not solve this crisis—it will merely enhance instability and set off further unrest."
Khan, 72, also faulted the "puppet government" that was installed by the supposedly rigged 2024 elections, saying that it had failed on all fronts, especially on foreign policy.
He said that terrorism should be dealt with through diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan. "Pakistan has a 2,200-kilometre border with Afghanistan, and peaceful dialogue is the only workable solution. Even if relations have been strained during our time, we had direct talks with the leadership of Afghanistan," Khan remembered.
“The policies implemented over three years successfully eliminated terrorism. However, after our government’s removal, the adoption of Biden’s policies has led to numerous issues, and today, the people are suffering from rising terrorism,” he claimed.
Khan blamed the government of Shehbaz Sharif for a lack of diplomatic initiative, pointing out that Pakistan's foreign minister had not visited Afghanistan. "This government has made no serious diplomatic efforts with Afghanistan, which speaks volumes about its seriousness," he said.
He also complained that the "military-backed government" cared less about detaining him and more about what to do with the country's problems. "The charges against me have no legal merit and will be withdrawn when heard in their merits. It is all a fixed match, designed to yield a predetermined verdict," declared Khan.
State institutions are more focused on PTI crackdowns, suppression of media, and taking control of the prison and judicial system rather than playing their constitutional roles, he stated. "Even Adiala Jail is being operated by a Colonel. What right does a Colonel have to operate a prison?" he asked.
Meanwhile, violence in Balochistan is on the rise. On Friday, militants ambushed a bus, killing six and kidnapping three passengers from Punjab. In another incident, a bomb blast on a police van killed three and injured 17 others.
These attacks come after a fatal attack by the outlawed separatist outfit, Balochistan Liberation Army, which recently attacked a train in Bolan district. That attack killed 26 hostages, including 18 security officials.
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