Pakistan Losing Control In Balochistan, Especially After Nightfall: Former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (VIDEO)

Islamabad, May 7: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi sounded the alarm over Pakistan’s eroding authority in Balochistan, warning that the state is increasingly losing control, particularly after nightfall. His remarks came just a day before a deadly attack by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) that killed six Pakistan Army personnel, including a major-rank officer.

In a May 5 interview to The Balochistan Post, Abbasi described a province gripped by fear and instability, where even senior government officials in Quetta require armed escorts. “After dark, the state’s presence virtually disappears,” he said, pointing to the growing operational confidence of Baloch armed groups. He noted that these groups have begun patrolling highways, setting up checkpoints and taking over urban areas for extended periods which are clear signs of a state losing its grip, he said.

His warning became even more serious just one day later on May 6, when the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for a deadly IED attack in Balochistan’s Bolan district. The explosion targeted a military vehicle travelling between Amir Post and the Ali Khan base in the Geshtri area, killing six soldiers and injuring five more. Pakistani media reported that security forces quickly cordoned off the area and five helicopters were deployed as part of the search operation.

Abbasi also pushed back against recent claims by Pakistan’s army chief, who suggested that only 1,500 people were responsible for the unrest in the province. “Blaming a few hundred people is an attempt to downplay the depth of the crisis,” he said. “The reality is that the state no longer exercises full control over Balochistan.”

The former PM’s remarks, paired with the deadly attack a day later, highlight the worsening crisis in Balochistan. With a rise in enforced disappearances, political turmoil and growing insurgent operations, Baloch nationalist groups appear to be expanding their tactics. They are now openly targeting military movements and increasing their presence in both rural and urban areas.

As the security landscape continues to unravel, Abbasi’s words echo louder: “This is not just a law and order issue, it’s the visible erosion of state authority.”

Who Is Shahid Khaqan Abbasi?

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is a Pakistani politician and businessman. He served as the 18th Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2017 to May 2018. He is currently the chairman of Awaam Pakistan (AP). Earlier, he was a senior leader in the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and also served as the secretary-general of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a group of political parties that opposed the PTI.