An unverified statement attributed to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) surfaced on social media late Saturday night through accounts allegedly linked to anonymous digital operatives, raising concerns about potential attempts to influence public perception ahead of the Balochistan National Party’s (BNP) planned long march on April 6.
The statement, which appeared on X (formerly Twitter) around 1 AM, was shared by the handle @PTI_Insider, a profile referenced in a recent investigative report by DropSite News as being associated with a serving military official. The report claims the account is part of a broader digital media framework referred to as the Army Awareness Network (AAN) — a covert network allegedly operated by serving personnel to promote state narratives on social media platforms.
Analysts and civil society groups have flagged the content of the statement as misleading, with several Baloch activists asserting that it does not reflect the language or positions usually taken by the banned BLA. Fact-checking initiatives such as Fact @balochistanfact on X criticized the post, calling it part of a wider disinformation campaign aimed at confusing political narratives in Balochistan.
While official sources have not commented on the authenticity of the statement or the affiliations of the accounts sharing it, the timing of its circulation — just one day before the BNP’s scheduled protest has sparked speculation. Activists fear that such content could be used to justify potential disruptions or clampdowns on the planned political mobilization.
“This kind of anonymous digital activity raises serious questions,” said a political observer in Quetta. “If any untoward incident occurs during the long march, it will be important to examine the environment of misinformation that was created in the run-up.”
For years, social media has remained a contested space in Pakistan’s information landscape, especially regarding Balochistan, where narratives around militancy, political autonomy, and human rights have drawn domestic and international attention. Observers have repeatedly called for greater transparency in how information is disseminated online, particularly when it relates to sensitive political developments.
The BNP long march is expected to draw significant participation from across the province, with party leadership framing it as a peaceful protest for constitutional rights, political representation, and justice for missing persons. Security arrangements have been heightened ahead of the march, while political leaders have urged authorities to ensure an environment conducive to democratic expression.
As of Saturday evening, no official statement had been issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) or the Ministry of Defence regarding the alleged use of anonymous accounts or the circulation of the BLA statement.
