ISLAMABAD (MNN); The National Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution demanding an aggressive and coordinated national response against the external sponsors and internal facilitators of terrorism.
The lower house continued its debate on the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan following a wave of deadly, coordinated terrorist attacks across the province on Saturday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry presented the resolution, which was approved by a majority vote.
The resolution strongly condemned the recent terrorist incidents in Balochistan, stating that innocent civilians were deliberately targeted and that inhumane tactics, including the use of women as weapons, were employed.
It called for an immediate, aggressive, coordinated and effective response against external sponsors and internal facilitators, including their funding, smuggling routes and propaganda networks, through unified political, diplomatic, military, intelligence, legal and rhetorical efforts.
The House noted that evidence in several cases pointed towards external sponsorship of terrorism, expressing serious concerns about India’s role. It further stated that terrorism was being supported in some neighbouring countries through logistical and operational assistance, financial backing, training, medical treatment, cross-border movement and propaganda networks.
The resolution expressed deep concern over attempts by terrorist networks to exploit women through coercion, blackmail and manipulation, calling it completely against Islamic, Pakistani and Baloch values.
It appreciated the timely and effective actions taken by the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, the Balochistan government and civil administration. Expressing solidarity with the martyrs and the injured, the House declared attacks on civilians, women and children as unforgivable crimes and stressed a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
According to the military’s media wing, terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Hindustan carried out large-scale coordinated attacks across Balochistan. Security forces killed 92 terrorists during initial responses, while further operations raised the death toll of militants to 177 within 48 hours.
Lawmakers raise concerns
Members from across the political spectrum, including PTI, PPP and JUI-F, expressed grave concern over the surge in terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai suggested adding a clause to recognise the first right of a province’s children over its natural resources. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq noted that the matter was constitutionally protected.
PTI MNA Asad Qaiser said terrorist incidents were occurring frequently in Balochistan and KP, stressing that without addressing root causes and basic issues, the situation would not improve. He said injustice, denial of rights and unequal treatment by the state were fueling unrest, emphasising that democracy and public participation were fundamental to stability.
Qaiser also raised concerns over KP’s financial issues, alleged unequal treatment of provincial leadership, and called for dialogue with Afghanistan to address cross-border terrorism through diplomatic channels. He reiterated PTI’s demand for full implementation of the National Action Plan and an end to terrorism.
JUI-F MNA Aliya Kamran questioned the delayed response of security forces and said the situation in some districts, including Nushki, had not fully normalised. She asked where the terrorists who escaped had gone and urged serious reflection on why women were being used in suicide attacks, calling for dialogue with the people of Balochistan.
Another JUI-F lawmaker, Usman Badini, said Balochistan had been burning for the past two days and questioned the writ of the state during the attacks. He highlighted deprivation, lack of basic services and denial of rights as major issues, stressing the need for dialogue with all those who accept Pakistan’s constitution and flag.
PPP MNA Sehar Kamran said the attacks were part of a broader plan to destabilise Pakistan, pointing to a nexus between the banned TTP and India. She stressed national unity to counter externally supported terrorism and supported calls to include KP’s security situation in the resolution.
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said Balochistan receives more than 40 percent higher share than Punjab under the NFC Award and that over 90 percent of provincial spending is funded by the federation. He highlighted major investments in education, health, infrastructure and roads, questioning why terrorists target schools, hospitals and public facilities if their struggle is genuinely about rights.
He said terrorists misuse religion and ethnic identity for their narratives but have no real connection with either. He added that security forces are playing their role and political leadership must support them with a unified national narrative.
Balochistan attacks
On Saturday, militants carried out coordinated attacks on security forces and civilian targets in Quetta and several other districts, including Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
According to ISPR, security forces and law enforcement agencies launched large-scale clearance operations, killing 92 terrorists, including three suicide bombers. Fifteen security personnel were martyred, while at least 18 civilians, including women, children and labourers, lost their lives.
The military said intelligence reports confirmed that the attacks were orchestrated by terrorist leaders operating from outside Pakistan, who remained in contact with attackers during the assaults.
