–Maj Gen Nadeem Anjum says security situation in Balochistan is improving
–Senate committee calls for strengthening FC by increasing its budget
ISLAMABAD: Inspector General of Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan Major General Nadeem Anjum Wednesday gave an overview to the Senate Standing Committee on Interior about the links between non-state actors and the way the ideological narrative and the sub-nationalist narrative are used to destabilise the Balochistan province.
A source who attended the meeting quoted the IG FC as telling the meeting that Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) made efforts to unite sub-nationalist and religious terrorist groups on one platform to coordinate attacks against Pakistan, but failed in their bid.
“RAW and NDS made successive efforts to put terrorists like Daesh and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Alami along with BLA and BLF, but failed. We have managed Balochistan and now the situation is improving,” the FC Balochistan IG was quoted as saying.
The IG briefed the committee about organisational structure, achievements, budgetary provisions for enhancing the capacity buildings, details of new and old check posts and steps taken for the welfare of the FC Staff. He also briefed the committee about packages for martyrs.
Maj Gen Nadeem Anjum said that FC Balochistan is providing the security to almost 70 per cent of the populace in the province and covering a vast area which includes far hilly areas as well. He said that the Hazara community was the primary target of the terrorists in the past but now the situation is improved.
He apprised the committee that tangible steps have been taken to provide security to Hazara community in Balochistan and the pilgrims travelling to Iran are given proper security. He said that as a result of concrete security measures, the numbers of Zaireens have increased from 15,000 to 150,000 and no casualty has taken place.
He further informed that besides maintaining law and order in the province, the FC is running nearly one hundred schools from its own salaries and free health care is provided to the people. He said that the soldiers are protecting and shielding the national assets just because of their love for their country.
Addressing the participants of the committee, Minister of State for Interior Sheheryar Afridi said that practical steps need to be taken and collective efforts were required to strengthen institutions and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). He said that a number of packages were announced in the past but unfortunately, nothing was achieved practically.
The committee paid rich tribute to the martyrs of FC Balochistan and offered fateha for all the martyrs of all LEAs.
Committee Chairman Senator Rehman Malik praised Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa for his keen interest and efforts in restoring the peace and stability across the country, particularly in Balochistan, and said the nation stands with Pakistan Army in its war against terrorism and anti-state elements.
Senators Javed Abbasi, Rana Maqbool, Kalsoom Perveen, Anwarul Haq Kakar, Sarfraz Ahmad Bugti, Mian Attique Shaikh, Khuda Babar, Muhammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo and Chaudhry Tanveer Khan, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi, Ministry of Interior secretary, and senior officers of the ministry and attached departments were also present during the meeting.
Rehman Malik said that FC Balochistan is playing incredible and vital role in the restoration of peace and it sacrificed a number of its officers and personnel while they were fighting terrorism in Balochistan. He said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself confessed his government involvement in Balochistan.
“This is no secret that India’s intelligence agency RAW is working in collaboration with Afghanistan’s Intelligence Agency NDS to create creating instability and hostility in Balochistan and this committee has been exposing them since day first,” said Senator Rehman Malik.
Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar said that that the perpetrators of violence must be treated as enemies of the state. He said that the brave armed forces, LEAs and the people of Balochistan will not let the enemies succeed in their nefarious aims.
He said that the nation is standing behind Pakistan Army and all law enforcement agencies in their war against the enemies of Pakistan.
The committee called for strengthening FC by increasing its budget and fully equipping it with modern budgets and a helicopter. The committee chairman directed the Ministry of Interior to immediately release the pending funds of FC Balochistan.
