A member of the Balochistan Assembly has claimed that thousands of former Afghan military personnel have been brought to Pakistani areas bordering Afghanistan, while the government has said there is no verified information or evidence to support the allegation.
The claim was made during a session of the Balochistan Assembly by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) lawmaker Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, who represents Zhob district of Balochistan. He raised the issue during a debate on a resolution concerning law and order in Balochistan. The resolution had been tabled by Awami National Party (ANP) lawmaker Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai, expressing concern over the security situation in the region.
Speaking during the debate, Mandokhail voiced concern over what he described as a deteriorating security situation and alleged that thousands of soldiers who had served under the former Afghan government of Ashraf Ghani had been brought into his area. He questioned the government over the purpose of their presence.
Government and opposition lawmakers participated in the discussion. However, Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar did not directly address the allegation during the assembly proceedings.
Later, while speaking to reporters outside the assembly, Kakar said that anyone making claims regarding the presence of former Afghan soldiers should provide evidence to support them.
The issue comes amid growing allegations regarding the presence of former Afghan security personnel in Balochistan and claims that some have become involved in state-backed armed groups operating in the region.
Last month, Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim News published a report alleging that Pakistani military and intelligence agencies utilise government-backed armed groups in operations against Baloch pro-independence armed groups in Balochistan. The report further claimed that a number of former Afghan security personnel had joined such groups.
Published on 6 August, the report alleged that so-called “lashkars” or “death squads” operate in Balochistan with the support of Pakistani security institutions and work alongside the military, border forces and intelligence agencies in military operations and counterinsurgency activities.
According to the report, these groups function as proxy forces and participate in certain operations without being formally incorporated into state institutions.
Separately, Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Dr Mahrang Baloch has previously alleged that residents in several areas of Balochistan had reported seeing former Afghan military personnel operating alongside Pakistani forces during military operations. She further claimed that former Afghan soldiers had participated in operations in areas including Zehri and that residents of Mastung had complained that former Afghan military personnel, with the support of Pakistani forces, had occupied a school building and established a camp there.
Dr Baloch said such allegations had generated concern and resentment among local residents.
Pakistani authorities have not publicly confirmed the presence of former Afghan military personnel in the roles alleged.