Karachi/Quetta – A fresh surge in terrorist attacks in Balochistan has reignited debate over whether the province’s problems demand a political solution or military force.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, addressing a press conference in Karachi on Wednesday, described terrorism as Pakistan’s “top challenge” but maintained that Balochistan’s way forward must be political rather than military.

“There has been an observable increase in terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This will inevitably create a national security dynamic which will affect society. It’s not a military solution in Balochistan, it’s a political one,” Bilawal said.

While acknowledging the importance of dialogue, security officials insist that no political arrangement can succeed unless militant violence is first dismantled. “The state cannot negotiate development under the barrel of TTP and BLA guns,” one analyst noted.

Bugti Rejects Conciliatory Policies

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti struck a contrasting tone, warning against what he termed “appeasement” towards militant groups. Speaking in Islamabad, he argued that conciliatory approaches, such as those once adopted toward the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), had always harmed the state.

“The policy of appeasement in reference to the prevalent situation in Balochistan has always damaged the cause of the state,” Bugti remarked.

The chief minister also reiterated Islamabad’s longstanding stance that terrorist groups in Balochistan operate with external support. “It is now clear that all groups and organisations are being gathered in Balochistan. From the very beginning, since 2010–2011, this has been a RAW-based, RAW-funded war,” he said, referring to India’s intelligence agency.

Bugti warned of an even greater challenge in the “false narrative” promoted on social media, portraying militant violence as a struggle for rights. “Numerous centres abroad are engaged in spreading hate campaigns against Pakistan. Even political leaders hesitate to oppose separatists’ narratives simply because the state’s position is unpopular,” he said.

Also see: Sarfraz Bugti Links Advocate Arrest to BLA, Vows to Counter ‘Terrorism in Disguise’

Missing Persons and Political Engagement

On the sensitive issue of missing persons, Bugti accused some political actors of exploiting the matter for political gain. He said his government had introduced reforms requiring security forces to inform families of detained individuals, present them before a magistrate within 24 hours, and keep them in civilian centres under medical supervision.

At the same time, Bugti highlighted his administration’s ongoing dialogue with Baloch political parties, including BNP-Mengal and the National Party. “We do have political dialogue. When the opposition objected, did we not step back? Was there agitation or pressure? No. It was a political dialogue to build consensus,” he said.

Drawing the Line

Bugti differentiated between youth alienated by poor governance and corruption and those taking up arms to break Pakistan. “Disenchanted youth must be engaged politically, but those who pick up weapons are different. Violence in the name of religion is called terrorism. Violence in the name of Baloch grievances or human rights must also be called what it is: terrorism,” he asserted.

He dismissed the narrative that militancy stems solely from deprivation, pointing instead to confessions of captured militants who admitted their aim was to “break the country through violence on the basis of Baloch identity.”

Experts Urge Balance

Experts argue that while political consensus is essential, it must focus on addressing legitimate grievances, such as enforced disappearances, governance failures, and social inequities, without legitimising militant groups.

Pakistan has faced multiple waves of militancy since 2001, countered by operations including Zarb-e-Azb, Radd-ul-Fasaad, and ongoing intelligence-based operations (IBOs). Officials note that while these efforts have weakened militant networks, new narratives keep emerging to justify violence.

Bugti closed with a blunt warning: “There is no such thing as Naraz Baloch when the weapon is in hand. Those killing innocents are terrorists, plain and simple.”