Jan Muhammad Achakzai, the former Interim Minister of Information in Balochistan, has sparked significant controversy with a recent social media post. In his statement, Achakzai threatened that the bodies of Baloch students studying in Punjab, as well as those from Baloch areas within Punjab, would be sent back to Balochistan in retaliation for the killings of Punjabis in Noshki.
On his official “X” (formerly Twitter) account, Achakzai stated, “If the bodies of Punjabis come from Balochistan, then bodies of Balochs will also come from Punjab.” He noted that many Baloch students are currently studying in Lahore, the capital of Punjab, and claimed that ten million Baloch have been residing in southern Punjab for years, accompanying his statement with threats of ethnic cleansing.
The statement has drawn sharp criticism from various political, social, and human rights figures, who perceive Achakzai’s comments as racially prejudiced and incendiary. Imaan Mazari, a human rights activist and lawyer, expressed deep concern, labeling the threat as a potential call for genocide against the Baloch people. “This is quite alarming. A former caretaker minister from Pakistan is threatening Baloch people with ethnic cleansing on social media… Instead of addressing separatists, he would rather target innocent Baloch students across the country… genocidal intent on full display!” Mazari remarked.
Iman Mazari also commented that Achakzai’s tweet has revealed systemic issues within the state’s treatment of Baloch individuals: “This is also an admission that the State of Pakistan has been forcibly disappearing, killing, and dumping Baloch youth. With just one tweet from a former minister in Pakistan, all those working overtime to discredit families of missing persons have been exposed – this IS state policy.”
Abdullah Abbas, General Secretary of the Human Rights Council of Balochistan, described the threats as indicative of genocidal intent and reflective of deep-seated animosity toward the Baloch people, potentially legitimizing further state violence and abduction.
Prominent journalist Matiullah Jan questioned Achakzai’s judgment and the implications of his rhetoric, saying, “What the hell? Is this man sane? While the killing of Pakistanis on Balochistan soil is condemnable, how can this man provoke such racial violence?”
Journalists and human rights activists have called on Baloch students to register an FIR against Achakzai and urged the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to act immediately, as he has allegedly committed offenses under sections 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and 153A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).