Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has apologised to Baloch activist Sammi Deen Baloch after previously accusing her of burning the Pakistani national flag.
Speaking to reporters in Quetta on Tuesday, Mr Bugti said: “If Sammi Deen herself is saying that she did not burn the flag, then this is a welcome clarification.”
The Chief Minister had earlier alleged in a television interview that Ms Baloch, a leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), had been filmed burning the flag. He described BYC leaders as “anti-Pakistan” and claimed he had seen video evidence.
In response, Ms Baloch issued a strong denial and publicly challenged Mr Bugti to release the alleged footage.
“I openly challenge Sarfraz Bugti to present this video to the nation. Tell us when, where, and on what occasion I committed such an act. If he can prove his claim, I will surrender to the law. But if he fails — which he will — then he must resign immediately,” she said.
Mr Bugti told reporters that Ms Baloch had contacted him and one of his ministers to deny the allegation.
“Sammi Deen called me, and before that, she called my minister. She denied the act, and if she felt hurt by the accusation, then I apologise,” he said.
However, Ms Baloch rejected this version of events, saying it was Mr Bugti who contacted her.
Senior journalist Hamid Mir posted on X that Ms Baloch confirmed the Chief Minister had contacted her. “If lies in the name of national interest were to end, it would help reduce hatred,” he said.
Despite the apology, Mr Bugti maintained that someone from Ms Baloch’s group was involved.
“If Sammi Deen did not burn the flag, then one of her associates must have done it, because I received a picture showing a girl, wearing a veil, burning the flag,” he said.
Earlier, Ms Baloch described the allegation as part of a broader effort to discredit peaceful protest movements in Balochistan.
“Such accusations are rooted in media propaganda and lies. Not a single allegation against us has ever been proven,” she said.
She also called on the judiciary to take legal notice of Mr Bugti’s remarks, describing them as “false, defamatory and misleading”.
“If people can be picked up or arrested based on baseless accusations,” she added, “then the law should be applied equally to everyone.”