What Happened: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated no military operation is happening in Balochistan but warned of strict actions against those defying the state, while also announcing funds for counter-terrorism and development projects.
What you need to know: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated on Friday that there is no ongoing military operation in Balochistan, but warned of strict measures against those defying the state and taking up arms. During the 342nd Senate session, Naqvi responded to differing views from several senators about the Balochistan situation.
What more: He highlighted Parliament’s supreme authority and shared details from the previous day’s Apex Committee meeting on the National Action Plan (NAP) in Quetta, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Naqvi announced that Rs 5 billion will be allocated to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) to improve its anti-terrorism capabilities, and Rs 8 billion will go towards development projects in Balochistan. Additionally, 30 to 40 federal employees will be sent to the province to address staffing shortages.
Also: Naqvi also condemned the August 26 attack, describing it as a coordinated effort by terrorist groups to destabilize Pakistan and disrupt the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council meeting scheduled for October 2024.