QUETTA - A major terror plan to target Balochistan on Independence Day was foiled as security forces arrested a university lecturer accused of facilitating the banned BLA. Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Sarfaraz Bugti revealed the details while showing the confessional video of the suspect on Monday. CM Sarfaraz Bugti paid tribute to Pakistan’s security forces for preventing a suicide attack planned for August 14. He said the arrested facilitator, identified as Prof Usman Qazi, was directly linked to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Bugti stressed that the same group was involved in the Quetta Railway Station attack, adding that Balochistan had been saved from “a huge conspiracy”. In a video statement, Prof Qazi confessed, “I was given the targets by Harbyar Marri. The state gave me honour and dignity, and I am ashamed of betraying it.” Sarfaraz Bugti rejected claims of deprivation and enforced disappearances, calling them “anti-state propaganda”. He emphasised that facilitators of terrorism, whether in cities or mountains, would be brought to justice. He also revealed that Qazi and his wife were both government employees and his mother received a pension, disproving the narrative of state neglect. The CM warned that a well-planned conspiracy is underway to destabilise and break Pakistan. He urged people to stay vigilant and avoid those spreading misinformation against the state.
“Organised propaganda is being carried out to mislead people. But the truth is, our forces are determined to end terrorism and protect Balochistan,” Bugti said.