Karachi: A Baloch chief, whose ancestors ruled western Balochistan province before it was annexed with Pakistan 1948, on Monday offered to play the role of mediator between the state and the Baloch insurgents, fighting for self rule for many years.
Prince Mohyddin Baloch, the eldest son of the late Khan of Kalat, once an independent state of Balochsitan, told the media that the ongoing insurgency for the past 15 years was of no avail and a sensible resolution of the dispute was imminently required.
“If the government designates me as a mediator, I could pave the way for talks between all the stake holders to resolve the years long insurgency,” Prince Baloch said.
The Baluchistan province has been witnessing an insurgency for years, as several Baluch groups, were attacking on the Pakistani security forces and important installations, while demanding self-rule and detachment of the province from the country.
The Prince, however, laid pre-conditions that the Frontier Constabulary (FC) and other paramilitary forces should be withdrawn from the province. He said that the Pakistan Army could be deployed in the province to keep the law and order until the dispute could be resolved through negotiations.
The Khans of Kalat had already played key roles in the past as well, when the Baluch insurgents who rebelled against the state and waged guerrilla wars in 1960s and 1970s.
The Prince Baloch further observed that the Baluch were becoming the part of mainstream politics but they were alienated after the killing of Baluch chieftain Akbar Bugti, in military action during the Musharraf regime.
