QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Dr. Malik Baloch on Sunday said that some elements want to impose their agenda on the people through the use of force.

Speaking to journalists in a local hotel, after chairing a function regarding the promotion of the Balochi language, the chief minister said he had no information about the presence of ISIS in the volatile province.

He said however that there are fundamentalists whose approach is similar to that of ISIS.

The chief minister termed past policies of rulers as the underlying reason behind the unrest in Balochistan, plagued by growing sectarianism and violent attacks by Baloch separatists.

Baloch stated that his government was determined to restore peace in the province through political means.

"I stand for peace and I strive for a negotiated settlement of issues relating to Balochistan," he said.

Regarding security arrangements in the aftermath of recent terror acts, the chief minister stated that police and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were deployed at all exit and entry points to ensure peace during the month of Muharram.

Capital City Police Officer Quetta, Razaq Cheema while addressing a press conference said that 71 pickets manned by 525 policemen were established in Quetta during Muharram.

He said a ban was also imposed on pillion riding from 7th to 10th Muharram.


Two people killed near Pak-Iran border


Meanwhile, armed men opened fire at a vehicle and killed two people near Mashkail, Pakistan's bordering town with Iran on Sunday morning, levies said.

Levies sources said armed men opened fire at a pick up and killed two people on the spot near the Iranian border.

"The pick up was loaded with Iranian diesel and petrol and caught fire. Both persons inside the vehicle were burnt to death", they added.

They were identified as local residents of Mashkail. Motive behind the incident was yet to be ascertained.

Levies and personnel of other law enforcement agencies reached the spot and started investigation into the incident. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

This incident has come two days after the Iranian forces fired five mortar shells in Mashkail.

There were no fatalities and Frontier Crops retaliated against the Iranian attack. A blame game between the two countries has been intensified in recent days with regard to border skirmishes.

Opinion

Editorial

Mixed messaging
Updated 12 Jul, 2026

Mixed messaging

In case the parleys fail, a return to full-scale war would be the likely outcome.
Way forward
12 Jul, 2026

Way forward

A GROUP of estranged PTI leaders, calling themselves the ‘National Dialogue Committee’ and led by figures like...
Recalled orders
12 Jul, 2026

Recalled orders

WHILE justice should be blind, it should not be oblivious to the human suffering some decisions may cause. This is...
Beyond headcounts
Updated 11 Jul, 2026

Beyond headcounts

WORLD Population Day has traditionally prompted discussions on population growth and fertility rates. This year’s...
Relying on remittances
11 Jul, 2026

Relying on remittances

NO matter how important workers’ remittances are, the record inflow of $41.6bn in FY26 should remind us of the...
Official passports
11 Jul, 2026

Official passports

OUR lawmakers’ sense of entitlement is jarring. Through a set of three laws, the MPAs of KP have quietly granted...