Syed Muhammad Qaseem: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Friday raised concerns over the installation of internet towers in sparsely populated and remote areas of the province, warning that such infrastructure could pose security risks if misused by militant groups.
Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, the chief minister questioned the presence of high-speed mobile services in areas with little to no civilian population. Citing locations such as Sangan, Bugti said it was surprising to see 4G connectivity in regions where hardly any residents live. He called for clarity on who approved these installations and stressed that unmonitored internet facilities could be exploited to target the state and law enforcement agencies.
At the same time, CM Bugti announced a Rs3 billion province-wide digital connectivity project aimed at expanding fibre optic services. Under the initiative, fibre cables will be installed in schools, colleges, universities, and hospitals across Balochistan. He said the project is designed to improve public access to the internet while ensuring effective monitoring and regulation of its usage.
Addressing the security situation, the chief minister commended the Frontier Corps for a successful operation in Kharan, where 12 terrorists were killed during an attempted bank robbery. He said a group of 15 to 20 armed individuals tried to break into multiple banks, damage ATMs, and flee with cash.
Bugti confirmed that one civilian was injured during the operation and is currently undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital. He added that four militants were killed on the spot at three separate locations, while others were intercepted during the coordinated response by security forces. Some attackers reportedly managed to steal around Rs3.4 million from one bank before being stopped.
The chief minister noted that such incidents reflect a disturbing shift, with ideologically driven militants increasingly resorting to criminal activities like bank robberies.
CM Bugti also linked the recent security challenges to the regional situation following the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021. According to official figures shared by military authorities, law enforcement agencies conducted more than 75,000 intelligence-based operations across Pakistan in 2025, resulting in the killing of over 2,500 terrorists.
