Pakistan is struggling to maintain control over its largest province, rich in mineral resources. This was starkly acknowledged by Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif in parliament, where he admitted that their forces appear capitulated to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) fighters. He openly recognized the mounting challenges faced by the Pakistani army in Balochistan. His observations sounded more like an admission of surrender than a mere acknowledgment.
During a parliamentary address, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif expressed that maintaining control over Balochistan is becoming exceedingly difficult for Pakistan.
He stated, 'Balochistan accounts for 40% of Pakistan's total geographical area. Maintaining full control over such a vast expanse is quite impossible.' He mentioned that despite the deployment of Pakistani army personnel patrolling the region, they are physically incapable of securing such a large area.
These comments emerged amid a sharp escalation of violence in Balochistan. The Balochistan Liberation Army has recently launched simultaneous attacks across several districts, targeting highways and infrastructure, resulting in the loss of dozens of lives, including both civilians and security personnel.
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Asif also addressed the challenges faced by the Pakistani military. He noted that the mountainous, rugged terrain of Balochistan provides BLA fighters with natural cover, unlike the plains of Punjab and Sindh.
Most shockingly, he admitted that Baloch fighters are better equipped than Pakistani soldiers. He said, 'Baloch fighters are armed with $4,000 heat-detecting lasers, which are not in our security forces' arsenal. They use rifles worth 2 million Pakistani Rupees and fully equipped combat gear packages worth $20,000.'
This acknowledgment has sparked speculation about Pakistan losing ground in Balochistan. However, the Pakistani army claims to have killed over 145 BLA fighters in recent conflicts. Still, the words of the Pakistani defense minister clearly reflect that the Baloch fighters have an upper hand over their forces.
Some videos circulating on social media allegedly show Pakistani soldiers fleeing during BLA attacks. However, the authenticity of these viral videos remains unverified.
Balochistan is home to vast reserves of copper, gold, coal, chromite, and rare minerals worth trillions of dollars. Yet, it remains Pakistan's poorest province. Local people benefit minimally from Balochistan's resources. BLA fighters target mining areas, highways, and projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Khawaja Asif's recent statement highlights the gap between Pakistan's strategic ambitions and the ground realities. While the government claims the situation is under control, their own defense minister is portraying a different reality in the country's parliament.
