‘A scripted narrative': BLF chief tears into Pakistan's ISIS-K spin; says Baloch struggle not foreign-backed

Time of India

a day ago

Allah Nazar Baloch, leader of the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), has accused Pakistan's military of making up the ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) threat to damage the image of the Baloch national movement and other local struggles.
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Nazar claimed that the narrative around ISIS-K is being scripted by Pakistan's military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), to falsely link nationalist movements with religious extremism and foreign agendas, The Baloch Post reported.
He said this tactic is aimed at manipulating public opinion and weakening legitimate struggles for self-determination.
He further highlighted that the Baloch fight for independence is rooted in the people's will, not foreign influence.
Additionally, the movement is a true reflection of the Baloch people's right to national sovereignty. He alleged that Pakistan is deliberately weakening Baloch society in order to strip it of its identity and turn Balochistan into a permanent colony under military control.
Nazar also criticised the power structure in Balochistan, claiming the military and not the civilian government, controls the region. He alleged that Pakistan's army actively fosters ties with extremist groups to keep the region unstable and undermine nationalist efforts.
These claims reflect long-standing concerns among Baloch leaders who believe radicalism is being used as a tool to suppress dissent.
The TBP report also highlighted the heavy-handed use of laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act and other security ordinances in Balochistan, which have enabled arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and denial of legal rights. Activists are often tried in military courts or special tribunals that lack fair trial standards.
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Many have also reported cases of enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings, with little chance of justice. Media censorship further silences Baloch voices and hides these abuses from the wider public.
Military courts and special tribunals often try Baloch activists without following fair trial procedures, making justice out of reach for many. On top of this, strict media censorship laws silence Baloch voices and hide these human rights abuses from public view, allowing the cycle of violence and impunity to continue unchecked.