Asim Munir called militant groups in Balochistan “foreign-sponsored proxies”
He accused hostile elements of seeking to destabilise the province and divide the state from its people
Pakistan has repeatedly alleged Indian support for Baloch militants, a claim New Delhi denies
Pakistan Army Chief and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir has described militant groups operating in Balochistan as "foreign-sponsored proxies", accusing hostile elements of seeking to destabilise the province.
Speaking to political leaders and other prominent figures from Balochistan, Munir said Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan were being used by hostile elements to "destabilize Balochistan, obstruct its development and create a wedge between the state and its people."
He said such threats would be defeated through "the collective resolve of the nation and the state's unwavering, resolute and decisive response".
Balochistan Conflict
Balochistan has faced a decades-old insurgency involving groups seeking greater autonomy or independence from Pakistan. The conflict has intensified in recent years, with militant organisations carrying out attacks against security forces, government facilities and Chinese interests.
the province is strategically important because it contains major reserves of natural gas, copper and gold, as well as Gwadar Port and key China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. Many separatist groups accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province's resources while giving local communities insufficient political and economic benefits.
The conflict has also been fuelled by allegations of enforced disappearances and demands for greater political representation and control over local resources. Pakistan rejects allegations of state abuses and maintains that militant organisations represent a security threat.
India Allegation
Munir's remarks specifically referred to "Fitna al-Hindustan" and described the groups as foreign-sponsored proxies. Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of supporting militant activity in Balochistan, an allegation India denies.
Pakistan has previously alleged Indian backing for Baloch separatists, while researchers and analysts have also pointed to longstanding local grievances over political exclusion, resource distribution and security operations as drivers of the conflict.
Munir said Balochistan's future was inseparable from Pakistan's and called for greater national cohesion, development and resistance to what he described as hostile propaganda and foreign-sponsored threats.
