Use of ISIS to Suppress Baloch Independence and Nationalist Movements Threatens Human Rights – Senator Afrasiab

Use of ISIS to Suppress Baloch Independence and Nationalist Movements Threatens Human Rights – Senator Afrasiab

Balochistan | June 3, 2025

According to The Balochistan Post, former Pakistani Senator and Pashtun nationalist leader Afrasiab Khattak has raised serious concerns over Pakistan’s alleged collusion with the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) to suppress Baloch activists and nationalist movements. He warned that such actions are putting human rights in grave danger.

In a message published on social media platform X, Khattak questioned why Pakistani state institutions remain silent in the face of ISIS-K’s growing operational presence. He highlighted increasing incidents involving the arrest of foreign militants in Pakistan and their alleged links to foreign intelligence agencies, raising alarms about security and transparency.

He also pointed out that ISIS-K has openly declared war against the Baloch Liberation Army, posing a significant threat not just to armed Baloch groups but also to human rights activists like Mehrang Baloch, families of the disappeared, and peaceful protestors.

Khattak warned that the rise of ISIS-K in the region is reminiscent of al-Qaeda’s activity two decades ago, and called for accountability of Pakistan’s intelligence and security agencies.

His remarks follow a May 25 statement by ISIS-K, in which the group claimed its base in Balochistan’s Mastung district was attacked by Baloch armed groups. In an accompanying video, ISIS-K did not only threaten Baloch fighters but also targeted human rights defenders, protest participants, and relatives of missing persons.

Former U.S. Ambassador and Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad also expressed deep concern over the developments. He stated that it now appears ISIS-K and Pakistani security forces are operating in alignment against Baloch nationalist groups — a move that marks a dangerous shift in the balance of power in the region.

Khalilzad warned that this growing collaboration between extremist groups and state forces in Balochistan could become a serious threat to regional peace and stability.

According to The Balochistan Post, ISIS-K has issued messages in both Pashto and Farsi, calling on its supporters to carry out violent actions against Baloch political and nationalist organizations. They specifically called for attacks on protest marches organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee.

In response, Baloch political organizations and human rights activists have strongly condemned these threats and accused the Pakistani government of deliberately employing extremist groups to crush legitimate political movements and civil rights demands.

The Balochistan Post further reported that several human rights organizations have called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable and to take steps to protect vulnerable populations in Balochistan.