By Afshain Afzal

There is confusion in every statement as well as events being reported regarding hijacking of Pakistani train, "Jaffar Express" on 11 March 2025. It seems a staged drama to attract international admiration, sympathies and funds in billions.

As planned by the handlers of drama, we are most likely to witness attacks by terrorist on prisons in Mach Jail or somewhere else in Balochistan that would lead to freeing all terrorist and they would sneak into Afghanistan; giving opportunity to hunt them there. These are the same tactics American and allies adopted in attacking independent nation states including Afghanistan and pockets of Pakistan.

As per the witnesses, some bogies of Jaffar Express train were derailed as a result of explosion at the track. The armed terrorist announced and warned telling to come out of the train. On our resistance, they stared firing for almost 30 minutes. When all passengers came out and were made to sit outside on ground, 15 to 20 hijackers who were wearing military style vests with rockets and weapons left the area and placed the hijacked passengers on the mercy of only five individuals who made them sit beside the train in groups comprising of Punjabis, Saraikis, Sindhis, Baloch while separate group of Army and FC personnel were made.

There are many questions that need to be answered before taking any concrete action to handle terror, terrorism and terrorists including the following:-

According to the eye witnesses there were over 45 military and FC personnel on the train; some of them must also be traveling with their family members but one wonders why these personnel did not resist to take over, especially when only five hijackers were left on the first night?

Where was Railways Police who are supposed to present in each train?

Why the Railways Authority did not issued any pressure release or took nation including love ones of passengers who got hijacked by armed terrorists?

Why ISPR or Armed Forces did not issue any pressure release, statement, any update or assurance to nation?

Why ISPR or Armed Forces did not update information till 1200 hours on 13 March 2026, except No PR-88/2025-ISPR dated 12 March 2025?

Why exact names of passengers were not released who booked their seats and why conflicting statements about number of passengers were issued by Railways Authorities; somewhere 500 and on other occasions more than 400?

Why names of those killed by terrorists are still withheld; do their love ones haven't any right to know about their wellbeing?

Why dead bodies of those killed have not been handed over to their families in presence of media?

Why compensations have not been announced by the Provincial or by the Federal government?

Why dead bodies of the 34 claimed killed terrorists have not been shared to media or handed over hospitals or their families?

In the latest development the government has invited all the political parties including opposition for consultations on ensuring peace and eradicating terrorism but what about the gap in the incident. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other so called separatist groups have denied any role or knowledge of the incident while the Interim Government of Afghanistan also issued rebuttal and asked information and identities of terrorists which ISPR chief claims to have intercepted through Satellite phones used by hijackers and show their supporters in Afghanistan. There is no doubt that the things are not straight here and a drama was staged to get license to arrest and kill any one. Should we allow this when we have proper democratic functioning government and institutions to handle the affairs?

We must not forget what was also brought out by Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, "Regional organisations must empower member states to fight terrorism in accordance with the rule of law and human rights” and “Regional missions must respect the prohibition on the use of force as strictly interpreted by the International Court of Justice.” It is high time that the UN Secretary General, world leaders including President Trump and human rights organizations must intervene to discourage reign of terror in Pakistan and the region.