Quetta – Security forces in Balochistan say they have averted a large-scale terrorist attack planned for Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations, arresting a university lecturer accused of being a key facilitator for the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
Lecturer Accused of Terror Links
At a joint press conference in Quetta on Monday, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti confirmed the arrest of Dr. Muhammad Usman Qazi, a Grade-18 lecturer at Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS). According to officials, Qazi had played a central role in facilitating militants linked to the BLA’s Majeed Brigade.
Bugti, flanked by Acting Inspector General Police Saeed Wazir, Additional Chief Secretary Home Hamza Shafqaat, and provincial spokesperson Shahid Rind, described the arrest as a “breakthrough” against militant networks in the province.
The Chief Minister claimed that Qazi’s involvement went far beyond passive support, saying he had provided weapons, logistical support, and safe houses for attackers. Security officials also showed a confessional video in which Qazi admitted to harboring militants, supplying arms to female facilitators for targeted killings, and aiding a suicide bomber involved in the November 2024 Quetta railway station bombing that killed 32 people and injured more than 50.
Confession Reveals Links to BLA Leadership
In his video statement, Qazi disclosed that he had been recruited by a BLA operative identified as Dr. Haibatan alias “Kalk” and operated under the alias “Ameer.” He further revealed that he was in communication with BLA chief Bashir Zeb via encrypted platforms such as Telegram.
The confession detailed multiple incidents:
- Sheltering militants at his residence, including “Peerak,” who was later arrested before he could carry out a planned August 14 suicide bombing.
- Providing medical treatment to a regional commander known as “Sher Dil.”
- Transporting a suicide bomber to Quetta railway station in the November 2024 attack.
- Supplying a pistol to a female operative for targeted killings.
Qazi, a PhD in Pakistan Studies from Peshawar University, comes from a family of professionals: his wife and mother are government employees, and his brother works at the Reko Diq mining project. Officials stressed this as evidence that militancy is not rooted in deprivation, but rather in what Bugti called a “purely anti-state agenda.”
“If a Professor Becomes a Terrorist…”
Associated Press quoted Bugti as saying: “If a professor becomes a terrorist, you cannot garland him.” The Chief Minister emphasized that professional or social status would not shield individuals aiding militants from accountability.
Bugti also credited security forces for preventing “massive destruction” on Independence Day, calling the foiled attack evidence of the state’s determination to defeat terrorism.
Women and Students in Militant Networks
Authorities expressed concern over what they described as an alarming trend: the increasing use of educated individuals and women in terrorist activities.
Bugti announced the creation of a special cell within the Home Department to counter extremism in educational institutions. He added that 2,000 government employees had already been screened, with suspicious individuals placed on the Fourth Schedule, restricting their movements.
Bugti urged families to closely monitor their children and warned that individuals aware of relatives’ involvement in terrorism could also face accountability. He dismissed political narratives portraying militancy as a struggle for rights, calling them fabricated attempts to legitimize violence.
Rejecting the “Deprivation” Narrative
Bugti dismissed claims that militancy in Balochistan stems from deprivation. Referring to Qazi’s background, he asked how a man who benefited from state scholarships and had a privileged family could be considered marginalized.
He pointed out that Qazi held a PhD, his wife and mother were government servants, and his brother worked on the Reko Diq mining project. How can such a person be considered deprived? Bugti asked, noting that so-called insurgency leaders often emerge from privileged rather than marginalized backgrounds.
Bugti argued that political groups justifying violence under the guise of “Balochiyat” were misleading youth and legitimizing terror.
Government Response and Preventive Measures
To counter radicalization, Bugti announced a Rs1 billion scholarship program for Balochistan students at Punjab University, framing it as a constructive alternative for young people susceptible to militant recruitment.
He also urged parents to monitor their children’s activities and report suspicious behavior, stressing that relatives who knowingly shield militants would be held accountable.
Broader Implications
Analysts see Qazi’s arrest as significant because it represents the first time authorities have detained a member of the BLA’s sophisticated leadership tier. Previous operations mostly targeted foot soldiers or field operatives.
Bugti concluded the briefing by reaffirming the government’s commitment to peace and security in Balochistan. “The state will not tolerate violence and murder,” he said, while reiterating that collective punishment would not be applied, as the government seeks to separate militants from ordinary citizens.
