The top elected official in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan ruled out negotiations with insurgents on Saturday, signaling that the government will persist with military operations that have killed hundreds of militants in recent months.
Balochistan has long endured a separatist insurgency by ethnic Baloch groups who frequently target security forces and civilians involved in development projects. Although Pakistan’s government claims the insurgency is subdued, violence continues.
Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Balochistan, stated that the “fight against terrorism will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.” He declared, “There will be no negotiations with terrorists, those who have taken up arms against Pakistan, and those raising slogans for the country’s disintegration.”
His comments follow increased attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Bugti asserted that the time had come for “major surgery” to eradicate terrorism.
“We are in a state of war,” he emphasized, noting that authorities never claimed everything in Balochistan was normal. “The security forces operate under extremely difficult conditions, and all state institutions are working in complete coordination against terrorism.”
Despite being Pakistan’s largest province, Balochistan is its least populated. Some Balochis complain of government discrimination, with deep grievances over enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the exploitation of abundant natural resources.
Several regional political parties and activists have recently called for dialogue with insurgent groups, but the BLA and other Baloch factions have not sought talks. A spokesman for the group was not immediately available for comment.
Pakistan’s federal government and Balochistan officials have rejected calls for dialogue, stating leniency would only be considered for militants who surrender. Some BLA leaders and associates have surrendered at ceremonies, laying down their weapons and being welcomed by local officials.
In 2025, the BLA killed 18 paramilitary security forces in one of the deadliest coordinated attacks in Balochistan.
