Released on, Aug. 19 — August 19, 2025 at 6:58 AM
The people of Balochistan have endured prolonged treachery. On Monday, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced the capture of a suicide attacker and claimed the scheme originated from a university professor, Dr Muhammad Usman Qazi.
It is alarming that an instructor responsible for molding young intellects was found to be associated with extremists and connected to the November 2024 Quetta railway station attack, representing a troubling and hazardous development.
If accurate, this breakdown goes further than one individual explosion. Parents shouldn’t be left questioning whether educators are equipping pupils for tests, or for shelters.
However, the arrest occurs within a broader, more violent context. Violence in Balochistan has increased significantly over the last two years, with militant attacks increasing by over 80 percent in 2024 alone. Quetta, Khuzdar, Kalat—each has suffered from destructive assaults.
The BLA’s “Herof” operation last summer resulted in over 70 deaths, including deliberate strikes against Punjabis. The current year began with the seizure of the Jaffar Express, as hundreds of civilians and military staff have perished within the last 18 months.
Beyond standard definitions, what is occurring in Balochistan seems to be an uprising that has evolved—combining messaging with armed conflict and taking advantage of gaps within institutions, including those found in academic settings.
Therefore, the state’s reaction should be realistic. If the proof regarding Dr. Qazi is valid, it needs to be examined in public court, rather than remaining just within media statements. Meanwhile, although monitoring is important, blaming whole organizations could lead to increased feelings of being disconnected.
Balochistan must not face yet another round of railway station explosions and assaults on school buses. Similarly, Pakistan cannot tolerate educational institutions turning into channels for terrorism. The sole means to end the province’s prolonged, continuous pattern of conflict is through justice—justice that is open, trustworthy, and conclusive. *