World

Balochistan CM Says 1,000 Nomads to Be Temporarily Moved for Security Operation in Mastung

By The Newspaper's Staff Correspondent

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has announced plans to temporarily relocate approximately 1,000 people from a nomadic settlement in the mountainous Shor Parod area of Mastung district to allow security forces to conduct an operation against terrorist hideouts.

Addressing the Balochistan Assembly on Saturday, Bugti responded to concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition Mir Younis Aziz Zehri regarding the cutting of fruit orchards and the relocation of residents. The chief minister clarified that the relocation plan applies only to Shor Parod and does not extend to other parts of Mastung or involve any mass displacement elsewhere in Balochistan.

Bugti explained that Shor Parod has historically been a mountainous region where armed groups and so-called "farari camps" have operated intermittently since the 1970s. A government survey found that around 1,000 people, mostly from nomadic communities, currently reside in the area.

The chief minister said the relocation would be temporary, with the government committed to ensuring the welfare of those affected, particularly women, children and the elderly. He emphasized that the goal is to enable security operations against terrorist hideouts, noting that militants often use such locations to plan attacks and later use civilians as human shields when targeting state forces.

According to Bugti, the relocation plan currently affects only a small population in the foothills, including those who move seasonally with livestock. He noted that the plan remains in the planning stage and has not yet been put into action.

The chief minister stressed the importance of balancing civilian and military institutions given the current security situation, saying security forces require an "enabling environment" to effectively counter terrorism. He described the forces as currently operating in a "grey zone," which he said must be understood in the broader context of the fight against terrorism.

Bugti also pushed back against what he called an out-of-context interpretation of his previous statements, saying his role is to present the state and government's position on terrorism, development and governance to the assembly. He expressed concern that nearly every assembly session now begins with prayers for those killed, noting that both civilians and security personnel are being killed on a daily basis.

He reiterated that neither the army, other security forces, nor the provincial government have ever called on citizens to take up arms against terrorists. Instead, he said, security forces are simply seeking conditions that allow them to carry out their duties effectively.

Bugti added that when militants use private properties—including orchards, homes, shops or hotels—as hideouts or bases for launching attacks, the state cannot overlook such activity.