Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Pakistan's Balochistan province, announced Saturday that the government will not engage in negotiations with insurgents, reinforcing the stance that operations against militant groups will continue until their elimination. This declaration comes amid an increase in attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an organization designated as a foreign terrorist group by the United States.
Bugti emphasized that the "fight against terrorism would continue until the last terrorist is eliminated" in Balochistan. He stated, "There will be no negotiations with terrorists, those who have taken up arms against Pakistan and those raising slogans for the country’s disintegration." He described the current situation as a "state of war" and acknowledged that authorities have not claimed normalcy in the province, noting that security forces operate under challenging conditions with coordination among state institutions.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populated province, has a history of separatist insurgency driven by ethnic Baloch groups. These groups frequently target security forces and individuals involved in development projects. Despite government assertions of having quelled the insurgency, violence has persisted.
Complaints of government discrimination, along with grievances over enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the exploitation of the province's natural resources, have been raised by some Baloch individuals and regional political parties. In recent years, some regional parties and activists have advocated for dialogue with insurgent groups, but the BLA and other similar groups have not pursued negotiations.
Pakistan's federal government and provincial officials in Balochistan have consistently rejected calls for dialogue, proposing that leniency might be considered only for militants who surrender. Several BLA leaders and their associates have publicly surrendered their weapons in ceremonies, where they were welcomed by local officials. In 2025, the BLA was responsible for killing 18 paramilitary security forces in a coordinated attack in Balochistan.