Geneva/Islamabad — The ongoing 7th Balochistan International Conference, organised by the Baloch National Movement (BNM) at the Geneva Press Club, has stirred controversy as leading voices echoing militant narratives amplify anti-Pakistan rhetoric, coinciding with fresh violence in Balochistan.

According to security sources, more than 40 terrorists were eliminated in operations in Kalat Zehri, while a captain and four soldiers lost their lives in a separate improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Shand, Mand district. The fallen include Captain Waqar Ahmad Kakar (142 L/C, ex 47 Cav), Naik Junaid, Naik Ismat, Lance Naik Khan Muhammad, and Sepoy Zahoor.

BNM’s Position

The conference, titled “The Struggle for Balochistan: Rights, Resistance, and Regional Significance,” featured speakers including UK MP John McDonnell, journalist Dr. Mohammad Taqi, International Commission of Jurists member Reed Brody, National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chief Mohsin Dawar, World Sindhi Congress’ Rauf Laghari, PAANK coordinator Hatim Baloch, and BNM Chairman Dr. Naseem Baloch.

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BNM, which presents itself as a political and diplomatic movement, used the platform to accuse Pakistan of human rights violations, attempting to distinguish itself from armed groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).

Yet, in a striking admission, BNM Information Secretary Qazi Dad Mohammad Rehan endorsed the BLF’s “Operation Baam” and told India’s ANI news agency that Balochistan “will never be a part of Pakistan.” He described the militant offensive as the “dawn” of their what they refer as separatist struggle, confirming the group’s alignment with armed militancy, which took the lives of nine passengers.

BLF’s “Operation Baam”

The BLF claimed responsibility for at least 17 coordinated attacks across Panjgur, Surab, Kech, and Kharan districts. Militants targeted military checkpoints, government offices, and communication networks. BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch declared the offensive a “new chapter” in their campaign, showcasing the group’s ability to conduct synchronised operations stretching from the Makran coast to the Koh-e-Suleman range. 

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Pakistan’s Response and Concerns

Islamabad has consistently accused the groups such as BLA and BLF, as well as organizations like Baloch Yakjehti Committee of seeking to derail development in Balochistan, particularly projects tied to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

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BNM’s human rights wing, PAANK, accused by authorities of running propaganda and fabricating cases, has elevated controversial figures such as Dr. Mahrang Baloch. She faces ongoing sedition and terrorism charges filed in October 2024 at the Quaidabad police station, accused of leading an “anti-state campaign on social media at the behest of foreign sponsors.”

Earlier this year, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) reportedly seized $3 million from her accounts, alleging involvement in the illegal sale of sensitive national data. Intelligence sources further claimed she had received $10 million from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States to orchestrate anti-state activities, while leaked documents and photographs allegedly showed her meeting MI6 operatives. Pakistani officials argue these cases underscore how foreign intelligence and funding networks fuel militancy and present certain groups abroad as “human rights struggles.”

Political Controversy Around Mohsin Dawar

The participation of Mohsin Dawar, NDM president and co-founder of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), further stoked controversy. Dawar, long accused of providing political cover to anti-state elements, attended the Geneva event where anti-Pakistan slogans were raised. His presence drew sharp criticism within Pakistan, where opponents allege he is facilitating narratives designed to destabilise the country.

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The Takeaway

By endorsing BLF’s attacks and elevating figures like Dr. Mahrang Baloch, accused of foreign-backed subversion, BNM makes clear it is a separatist movement rather than a rights platform. Its narratives overlook Balochistan’s real vulnerabilities, worsening the province’s ongoing crisis, while the Geneva conference highlights the fragility of such advocacy efforts.