Islamabad: A delegation of tribal elders from Pakistan’s Balochistan province will be sent abroad soon for talks with estranged Baloch leaders living in exile to explore ways to find a political solution to the long-running separatist insurgency in the southwesten province.
Balochistan’s Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch disclosed the planned move in a statement published on Friday, after prominent Baloch separatist leader Brahmdagh Bugti, living in self-exile in Switzerland, made a conciliatory statement.
In an interview to the BBC on Wednesday, Brahmdagh Bugti said he was prepared to give up his demand for an independent Balochistan if its people so desire.
Bugti, who leads his Baloch Republican Party from self-exile, also said he was willing to engage in dialogue with the government provided the ongoing military operation in Balochistan was halted.
He gave the interview on the occasion of ninth anniversary of the death of his grandfather Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, tribal chieftain and former provincial chief minister, in a military operation in Balochistan on August 26, 2006.
The chief minister said Brahmdagh Bugti’s statement was “a breakthrough” and good omen for efforts to resolve the Balochistan unrest politically.
Dr Baloch said that from the beginning he had been trying to find a political solution to the problem.
He said a “grand jirga” (traditional assembly of elders) would soon be sent abroad to initiate talks with exiled Baloch leaders, including Brahmdagh Bugti and London-residing Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleiman Dawood Jan.
“The grand jirga will comprise influential chieftains of the Baloch, Pakhtun, Hazara and all other tribes besides political leaders,” the chief minister said.
Dr Baloch said both the political and military leaderships of the country wanted to resolve the Balochistan issue through dialogue and put the province on the path of development and prosperity.
“The military and civilian leaderships are on the same page on this issue,” he said.
Dr Baloch claimed that the Balochistan government did have the mandate to initiate negotiations with the exiled leaders, saying his government was ready to hold talks with any estranged Baloch leader.
“We are political people and believe in democracy. We want to resolve all issues in a democratic way,” the chief minister said, urging political parties with roots in the masses to come forward and play their role in restoring peace in Balochistan.
A so-titled “peaceful Balochistan programme” was launched this year with the approval of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and military coordination and support.
The government in June announced amnesty and authorities say that in response hundreds of insurgents from different Baloch militant groups involved in separatist rebellion have laid down their arms.
Those who renounced violence have been provided financial assistance and rehabilitated. Authorities in the mineral-rich province expect that more militants will follow suit and join the national mainstream, especially after Brahmdagh Bugti’s changed stance and prospects of dialogue.
