Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langov has alleged that some government officials, politicians and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are financially supporting outlawed terrorist groups operating in the province.
Langov made the allegation on Friday while speaking about the security situation at a meeting of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) at the Serena Hotel in Quetta.
He said intelligence agencies had collected evidence indicating financial links between banned organisations and individuals and groups allegedly providing them with support.
The minister did not identify any of the officials, political figures or NGOs he accused.
“Certain government officials, political figures and non-governmental organisations (NGO) are financially supporting and backing outlawed terrorist organisations in Balochistan,” Langov said.
He also accused the groups of pursuing what he described as a foreign-sponsored agenda intended to fuel unrest in Balochistan and elsewhere in Pakistan, rather than working for the rights of the province’s people.
Langov said the organisations were also using criminal activity to raise money for their operations.
He alleged that traders, farmers and commercial transporters were being subjected to extortion, while passengers were targeted through highway robberies and looting on major routes.
The minister cited the recent abduction of two members of the Hazara community as an example of what he described as terrorism-related financing through ransom.
He said the two people were freed after Rs7 million was paid.
Langov said security agencies had launched Intelligence-Based Operations (IBO) to trace the financial networks involved and determine the identities of government officials and other entities suspected of facilitating the banned organisations.
Langov did not provide further details about the alleged financial links or say whether any officials, politicians or organisations had been formally charged.
