Balochistan Dispatch

26/08/2026

Multiple Bridges Destroyed in Bombings on Quetta-Karachi Highway in Mastung

MASTUNG : A series of bombings has destroyed approximately a dozen link bridges on the national highway between Mastung and Khad Kocha, severely disrupting traffic on the strategic Quetta-Karachi route, officials and local sources confirmed.

The attacks, which occurred over several days, have reduced critical road connections to rubble, leaving the highway, a vital artery connecting Balochistan's capital to Karachi, largely impassable. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the coordinated assaults.

26/08/2026

Bugti Youth Organisation Demands Return of 200,000 Displaced Tribesmen, 20 Years After Exodus

QUETTA : The Bugti Youth Organisation (BYO) has demanded that the state facilitate the immediate and dignified return of approximately 200,000 Bugti tribesmen who were forcibly displaced from Dera Bugti two decades ago following a military operation.

The organisation recalled that two decades ago, a military operation in Dera Bugti forced nearly 200,000 members of the tribe to flee their ancestral homeland in haste, leaving behind even basic necessities. These families scattered across Sindh, Punjab, and various cities of Balochistan.

Despite successive governments — from General Pervez Musharraf to Yousuf Raza Gilani, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, and the current administration — making lofty promises of dignified return and rehabilitation, the ground reality remains unchanged, the BYO said. Most of the displaced are still living in exile and destitution, forced into daily wage labour for survival.

The organisation highlighted that women and children are the worst affected, living without proper shelter. Children born during this long exile have no connection to their ancestral land and are treated as migrants in their own country. They face barriers in accessing healthcare, education, and even identity documents in Dera Bugti.

The BYO questioned whether Pakistan's Constitution and international human rights laws permit an entire tribe to remain displaced from its homes for two decades, and demanded that the state make immediate arrangements for their dignified return. The statement added that while a few privileged individuals in Dera Bugti continue to benefit from their positions, the majority of the district's population remains trapped in poverty, hunger, and forced displacement — only remembered during elections.

According to historical reports, the military operation launched in December 2005 and the subsequent killing of tribal leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti on August 26, 2006, led to widespread displacement. Human rights organisations estimated that up to 85 percent of Dera Bugti’s population of around 182,000 people had been displaced. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre reported that close to 160,000 people were displaced, while the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimated 100,000 people were displaced in Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts alone.

26/08/2026

Where the State Plunders, Conditions Deteriorate': Lashkari Raisani Calls for Trust, Fair Resource Distribution

QUETTA : Balochistan political leader Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani has stated that where state systems create problems regarding public rights and resources, conditions begin to deteriorate, emphasizing that peace, stability, and development require a strong trust-based relationship between the state and its citizens.

In a statement, Raisani said that when people feel their resources, rights, and issues are being ignored, difficulties increase. He stressed that lasting peace in Balochistan and other parts of the country requires serious attention to public problems and practical steps toward their resolution.

Raisani argued that problems cannot be solved through force alone, and that restoring public trust requires political, economic, and social measures. He underlined that fair distribution of resources, protection of constitutional rights, and good governance are fundamental to any society's stability.

Political observers note that issues of resources, authority, development, and law and order in Balochistan have long been part of political discourse, with various leaders presenting their positions on resolving these challenges.

26/08/2026

Provincial Minister Inaugurates Rs14.46 Billion Khanai Baba-Ziarat-Sanjawi Road Project

ZIARAT : Provincial Minister for Commodity Management and Chairman Balochistan Food Authority, Haji Noor Muhammad Khan Domar, officially inaugurated the Khanai Baba to Ziarat to Sanjawi road on August 26, 2026. The project, being built at a cost of Rs14.46 billion, is expected to significantly improve travel, trade, and employment opportunities for the residents of Ziarat, Sanjawi, and surrounding areas.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Project Director Ismatullah Musa Khel, contractor Fazal Karim Mandokhail (MPI Construction Company), focal persons Haji Baz Muhammad Domar and Muhammad Irfan Domar, PS to the Provincial Minister Musa Kakar, District Chairman Sattar Kakar, District Vice Chairman Habibullah Panizai, tribal leaders Ghous Panizai, Haji Muhammad Azim, Malik Ayaz Zakhmi, Azizullah, Imran Panizai, Sardar Ajab Khan Taran, Haji Allah Noor, along with officials from relevant departments and notable figures from Ziarat and Sanjawi.

Project Briefing and Details

During the ceremony, Project Director Ismatullah Musa Khel briefed the Provincial Minister on the project's various phases, construction work, and progress. The road is being constructed with a substantial allocation of Rs14.46 billion, marking it as a key development initiative for the region.

Minister's Address

Addressing the gathering, Provincial Minister Haji Noor Muhammad Khan Domar stated that the road project represents a major step towards regional development and improved travel facilities for the public. He emphasized that all relevant departments and officials must fulfill their responsibilities effectively to ensure the project's timely completion.

"This important highway will significantly ease travel for the people of Ziarat, Sanjawi, and surrounding areas, while also reducing travel distances and difficulties for citizens traveling between provinces," Domar said. He noted that the road's construction would boost trade activities, create new business and employment opportunities, and enhance import and export potential.

The Minister highlighted that roads are not merely means of transport but play a fundamental role in economic development, commerce, industry, agriculture, and employment generation. The completion of this road will help better connect the region with other parts of the country and open new avenues for progress for local communities.

He further stated that the government is taking practical steps to provide basic facilities to citizens and integrate backward areas into the development stream. Timely completion of development projects will provide relief to the public and improve the overall economic and social conditions of the region.

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

CM Bugti Hails Merit-Based Appointments in Balochistan Revenue Authority, Says 'No Job Was Sold'

QUETTA :Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti has congratulated the newly appointed officers of the Balochistan Revenue Authority (BRA) following the completion of the merit-based recruitment process, reaffirming his government's commitment to meritocracy and transparency.

The Chief Minister distributed appointment letters to the selected officers and stressed the importance of dedication and honesty in performing their duties.

Merit Given Priority Over Political Influence

A notable aspect highlighted by the Chief Minister was that no candidate from his own constituency, Dera Bugti, succeeded in the recruitment process. "The level of merit in the Balochistan Revenue Authority was such that no candidate from my own district could succeed," he said. He emphasized that no compromise was made on merit and that no pressure was exerted from any executive office to influence the hiring process.

BRA and Balochistan's Economic Future

The Chief Minister described the Balochistan Revenue Authority as a crucial institution, stating that the province's economic future is linked to its performance. He noted that a large portion of the province's resources is consumed by non-development expenditures, leaving limited funds for public welfare. He expressed hope that the BRA would generate resources to reduce the burden of non-development expenses, thereby freeing up funds for the wellbeing of ordinary citizens.

Praise for Merit-Based Recruitment and Female Inclusion

CM Bugti commended Provincial Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani and BRA Chairman Abdullah Khan Noorzai for ensuring 100% merit in the recruitment process. He also expressed satisfaction that talented women from Balochistan had been selected as officers in the Authority, highlighting that meritocracy is essential to bridging the gap between the youth and the state.

Vision for the New Officers

Addressing the newly appointed officers, the Chief Minister urged them to work with sincerity, dedication, and loyalty to achieve set targets. He identified achieving significant improvements in next fiscal year's targets as their first test and stressed that unconditional loyalty to the state should be their hallmark. He expressed confidence that the BRA would become a model institution in the province.

Broader Context: Education Sector Appointments

The Chief Minister also highlighted that over 14,500 teachers in the education department had been recruited on merit, reaffirming his government's commitment to reform. He concluded by affirming that Balochistan's economic stability would be achieved through such transparent and merit-based practices, enabling the province to stand on its own feet

26/08/2026

Quetta Red Zone Sealed Off Amid Security Alert, All Entry and Exit Points Closed

QUETTA : Authorities have sealed all entry and exit points leading to Quetta’s Red Zone, shutting down traffic completely in the high-security area due to security threats, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The Red Zone houses sensitive government installations, including the Balochistan Assembly, the High Court, and VIP residences. According to police sources, containers and barriers have been placed on all routes leading to the area, with heavy deployment of police and Frontier Corps personnel.

Major roads including Spini Road, Chaman Phatak, Joint Road, Zarghoon Road, and routes approaching the Red Zone have been barricaded using shipping containers and heavy trucks. Traffic across the city has been severely disrupted, with long queues of vehicles reported on major roads. Alternative routes have also become heavily congested, causing extended travel times.

26/08/2026

15 Newborns Killed in Devastating Fire at PIMS Hospital in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP) – In a tragic incident early Wednesday morning, at least 15 newborn babies lost their lives when a fire broke out in the nursery of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in the capital.

According to the Capital Emergency Service (CES) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Fire Department, the emergency call was received at 6:54 am. Fire and rescue teams reached the hospital within seven minutes, deploying six fire brigade units and four ambulances to the site. The fire was brought under control promptly.

Hospital sources confirmed that 16 newborns were present in the nursery at the time of the incident. While one baby was rescued and shifted to the ICU, the remaining 15 succumbed to severe burns. PIMS spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil confirmed the death toll to international media. In addition to the infants, rescue teams successfully evacuated 10 women, 7 children, and 2 men from the hospital.

Initial reports suggest the fire may have been caused by a short circuit or a blast in an air conditioner compressor within the nursery. The Islamabad district administration has formed a fact-finding committee, headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), to investigate the exact cause of the fire, assess the effectiveness of rescue operations, and examine whether adequate fire-safety measures were in place. The committee has been directed to submit its report within 24 hours.

25/08/2026

Armed Groups Stage Coordinated Attacks Across Balochistan, Sindh; Kharan Overrun, Gas Pipeline Destroyed

QUETTA/KANDHKOT – A wave of coordinated attacks swept across Balochistan and Sindh on Wednesday, with armed men briefly seizing control of Kharan city, a major gas pipeline destroyed in Kandhkot, and the United Baloch Army (UBA) claiming responsibility for a sniper attack on a military cantonment in Kachhi district.

Kharan Overrun

A large contingent of armed men entered Kharan city and established checkpoints at multiple strategic locations, including Bado Bridge, Bab-e-Kharan, the CPEC Road, and Sarawan Road, according to sources. The assailants reportedly set a police vehicle ablaze near the residence of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in the city’s Red Zone. A security post and surveillance tower at Sarawan Chowk were also destroyed.

The attack echoes a similar incident earlier this month, when armed men stormed Kharan’s city police station and CTD office, ransacking records and setting the building on fire. Police have been placed on high alert across Balochistan following the latest escalation.

Gas Pipeline Destroyed in Kandhkot

In a separate incident, unidentified assailants targeted a 36-inch-diameter main gas pipeline carrying gas from Sui to Karachi in the Kandhkot area. The explosion was so powerful that its sound was heard from a considerable distance. The blast severely damaged the pipeline, suspending gas supplies to several areas.

Police and security forces have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. The Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) have previously claimed responsibility for similar attacks on the Sui-Karachi pipeline.

UBA Claims Responsibility for Kachhi Attack

The United Baloch Army (UBA) has claimed responsibility for a sniper attack on personnel stationed at a military cantonment in the Sanni area of Kachhi district. UBA spokesperson Mazar Baloch said in a statement that the group’s special sniper unit opened fire on personnel at around 9:00 a.m., killing one and destroying two surveillance cameras. Another UBA unit reportedly launched a heavy attack on the cantonment with automatic weapons, causing further casualties and material losses.

Baloch claimed that Pakistani forces responded with artillery and quadcopter drones, but all attacks on the fighters’ positions were unsuccessful. He said the fighters safely left the area after completing the operation. The UBA has previously claimed responsibility for destroying bridges and attacking security forces in Kachhi district.

The attacks come amid a surge in militant activity across Balochistan, with security forces conducting multiple intelligence-based operations in recent days. No official confirmation or casualty figures have been released by authorities yet.