Aziz expressed regret over his past actions and appealed to the youth of Balochistan, urging them not to be swayed by the false promises and violent ideologies propagated by separatist groups
By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Talat Aziz, a former member of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), recently revealed the motivations that led him to join the separatist group and commit acts of violence. In a media briefing alongside provincial officials on Friday, Aziz described how he was lured into the militant lifestyle by promises of a “new life” in the mountains, where he believed he could escape the confines of everyday life.
Tariq Aziz shared how the Baloch Solidarity Committee’s gatherings, which often included protests and anti-state rhetoric, played a pivotal role in shaping his views, leading him to become involved in the BLA’s anti-state activities. He detailed the BLA’s plans, including orchestrating attacks against Punjabis and other anti-state activities aimed at breaking Pakistan apart. However, after witnessing these violent operations firsthand, he grew disillusioned with the group’s goals.
Aziz expressed regret over his past actions and appealed to the youth of Balochistan, urging them not to be swayed by the false promises and violent ideologies propagated by separatist groups. He explained that, unlike the narratives spread by the BLA, he had pursued education in Punjab and had never harbored animosity toward the Punjabi people. His personal transformation has led him to now publicly oppose the BLA’s methods, calling on fellow Baloch not to fall into the same trap of extremism.
In related developments, Pakistan and China are reportedly working together to place the Majeed Brigade—an infamous suicide wing of the Balochistan Liberation Army—on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions list. The two countries have made a renewed diplomatic effort following a terrorist attack on October 12, in which two Chinese engineers were killed near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. The Majeed Brigade, which has been linked to multiple attacks, has been a target for sanctions in the past.
However, efforts to include the group on the UNSC’s list were blocked previously due to insufficient evidence. With the recent attack on Chinese nationals, both Pakistan and China are intensifying their push to ensure the group’s inclusion in the UNSC’s sanctions list. The move is particularly significant as China, a permanent member of the UNSC, has been advocating for stronger actions against terrorism in the region, and Pakistan, set to begin its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in January 2025, will join in the effort to push for sanctions on the Majeed Brigade.
