Balochistan govt for ‘dialogue with militants’

Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch announced to convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to initiate formal dialogue with the militant groups in the province.

Dr Baloch spoke at length in DawnNews program “Faisala Awam Ka” on Wednesday night regarding the plight of earthquake survivors and security situation in Balochistan, Pakistan’s sparsely populated and the most backward province.
“We do not want any bloodshed, rather we stand for peace and development,” he said.
He said a jirga comprising tribal elders and key political leaders would be sent to all Baloch separatists groups and sectarian militant organisations to hold a dialogue regarding the situation in Balochistan through political means. He further informed that the APC will comprise all political groups and tribal elites of Balochistan province.
CM Balochistan said his province faced complicated issues like recovery of mutilated dead bodies, missing persons and displacement of people from Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts.
“We will approach everyone to pave the way for political settlement,” he explained, adding that use of force has not produced any results in Balochistan, which has been under the grip of violence for last more than a decade.
Regarding attacks at security forces in Awaran, he said, “Such attacks would never deter the commitment and determination of government to support the survivors in this hour of trial and trouble.”
Dr. Baloch admitted that he had spoken to some local militants in Awaran and urged them not to create any hindrance in the way of relief operation.
“Militants demanded distribution of relief goods but I made it clear that only the government has the mandate to do so,” he informed.
He strongly condemned land mine explosion in Mashkay area of Awaran that claimed the lives of two soldiers and said that such attacks would not stop the forces from serving the earthquake affected people.
“We all are on the same page when it comes to relief operation in Awaran,” he said while referring to coordination between his government and armed forces.
He said the government has decided to turn this disaster to an opportunity to develop infrastructure of Awaran. He informed that there were no metalled roads and transmission line and the area was extremely backward.
He said Awaran was larger than entire Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) in terms of area.
“Operating in Awaran is too difficult”, he admitted and added that for last ten years there was no government in Awaran.
He reiterated the appeal and urged upon United Nations and other international donor agencies to come forward and support the earthquake survivors in Balochistan.
In response to a question, Dr Baloch stated that within next couple of days Balochistan cabinet would be formed. He dispelled the impression regarding differences with PML (N) Balochistan Chief Sardar Sanaullah Zehri. He said he was ready to work with Zehri had Nawaz Sharif made him the Chief Minister of Balochistan.

Source: Dawn News