Dawn
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03:47 Aug 16, 2026
ALTHOUGH Balochistan has been experiencing varying degrees of tumult for over two decades now, currently, the troubled province is witnessing near-constant terrorist activity and lawlessness. The rulers in both Islamabad and Quetta often downplay the situation, but there are moments when they themselves admit that all is not well in Balochistan. For instance, on Friday, when the nation was celebrating Independence Day, the province’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti extended an olive branch to those engaged in violence. Mr Bugti advised the lawless elements to “return to the national mainstream” and talk to the government. However, he added, and rightly so, that the state would not talk to those who were involved in the killing of innocent people. In recent times, terrorist activity in Balochistan has become noticeably brazen. While ordinary citizens and security personnel are often targeted, even the high-level guardians of the state are not safe. On Friday, Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove’s convoy ca...