Khawaja Asif links Balochistan attacks to criminal-terror nexus operating from Afghanistan

Islamabad (Web Desk): Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that criminal-terror nexus across Balochistan, backed by Afghanistan, is behind the recent attacks in Balochistan.

Speaking on the floor of the House, he said the top commanders of the outfits involved in the attacks are based across the border and are operating with external assistance and coordination.

He said that that the instability in the province is closely tied to illegal trade operations, especially fuel smuggling and the manipulation of the Afghan Transit Trade route.

According to the minister, the state’s ongoing crackdown against smuggling rings has hit these groups financially, pushing them to ignite unrest as a way to compensate for their losses.

Asif claimed that the smuggling of Iranian petroleum alone had been generating nearly Rs4 per day for these criminal networks.

The minister recent protests are fueled by those who have been deprived of billions of rupees in profits from smuggling.

He added alleged that the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), along with other unlawful groups, has been protecting and profiting from these illicit businesses.

Khawaja Asif stressed that the present violence should not be mistaken for a political or nationalist struggle, describing it instead as terrorism driven by criminal interests.

Referring to development spending, the defence minister said Balochistan had received around one Rs1trillion the Public Sector Development Programme (SDP), marking the largest share allocated to any province.

However, he expressed disappointment that much of this funding had allegedly been siphoned off instead of reaching the public.

Sharing the latest security figures, Asif stated that 177 militants have been killed in operations so far, while the attacks have also resulted in the deaths of 17 members of law enforcement agencies and 33 civilians.Khawaja Asif links Balochistan attacks to criminal-terror nexus operating from Afghanistan.