By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, visited Turbat in Balochistan on Saturday, pledging steadfast military support for initiatives to boost the province’s socio-economic progress, as the region grapples with escalating violence and entrenched underdevelopment, the military’s media wing said.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest yet least developed province, faces severe infrastructure deficits, frequent protests, and a worsening security situation. A provincial Home Department report recorded 501 terror incidents in the first half of 2025, claiming 257 lives, including 133 security personnel, a 45% surge in attacks and a doubling of targeted killings compared to the previous year.
During his visit, Field Marshal Munir met Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Turbat’s civil administration officials to review security challenges and development efforts, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The discussions centred on strengthening civil-military coordination to foster stability and prosperity in the restive province.
“The visit aimed to review the prevailing security situation, assess development initiatives, and reinforce coordination between military and civil institutions for the stability and prosperity of Balochistan,” the ISPR said in a statement.
In talks with local officials, the army chief reaffirmed the military’s “unwavering support for all initiatives aimed at improving southern Balochistan’s socio-economic development.” He underscored the need for joint efforts to tackle the province’s challenges, stressing “good governance, infrastructure development, and the importance of inclusive, people-centric progress,” the ISPR added.
Munir received a detailed briefing on Balochistan’s security dynamics, including operations against “Fitna al Hindustan”, a term framing alleged Indian efforts to destabilise Pakistan. The briefing also covered ongoing development projects and measures to improve socio-economic conditions in the south.
The army chief reiterated the military’s commitment to “stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Balochistan in their pursuit of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.” Addressing troops in Turbat, he praised their “high morale, operational readiness, and unflinching commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty,” commending their efforts to maintain stability under trying conditions.
The visit comes amid heightened security concerns. Last week, Chief Minister Bugti announced that security forces, including the Counter-Terrorism Department, thwarted a major terrorist plot targeting Independence Day celebrations. He also revealed that a lecturer from BUITEMS University in Quetta confessed to using Telegram to facilitate terrorist activities, including receiving targets and betraying the state.
Balochistan’s government is banking on development to address these challenges. For 2025-2026, it allocated Rs249.50 billion to its Annual Development Plan, with projects planned under public-private partnerships. Last month, the provincial cabinet greenlit new police stations, economic initiatives, and a major subsidy for farmers to bolster security and public welfare.
Field Marshal Munir’s visit builds on earlier pledges to support Balochistan’s growth. At the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in April 2025, he described economic security as a pillar of national security, promising a robust framework to protect investors in the province’s mineral sector.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in June, called Balochistan’s development a top priority for Islamabad. Yet, persistent security threats and infrastructure gaps continue to fuel local discontent over unfulfilled promises.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
