Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on Thursday announced the formation of a Grand Jirga comprising influential political and tribal leaders to meet the Khan of Kalat and Baloch Republican Army chief Brahamdagh Bugti.
“We will form a Grand Jirga to find an amicable solution for issues relating to Balochistan,” Dr Baloch told a private news channel. The Jirga would comprise Baloch, Pashtun, Hazara tribal chieftains and other leaders, he added.
“The Jirga plans to meet the exiled Baloch leaders very soon,” said the Balochistan CM, but did not state any timeframe for the planned meeting. According to the chief minister, efforts are currently underway to bring Baloch leaders to the negotiating table, as it is the priority of the government to solve all issues through political means. The sooner the peace is restored in Baochistan the better for the province and the country at large which is fighting a bloody war against the terrorists. As has happened in insurgencies of a similar type worldwide, reconciliation is the only way out. Attempts made by the Balochistan government in the direction have resulted in some of the Ferraris laying down arms. This is a good beginning despite those who surrendered were mostly foot soldiers. Both the federal and the provincial governments realise the need to hold talks with the insurgent leaders. The efforts made in the direction have so far failed to yield tangible results.The willingness expressed by Brahmadagh Bugti, who controls the Baloch Republican Army (BRA), to negotiate peace with the government should therefore be welcomed. This despite his group having been involved in terrorist attacks and at one point its chief sought Indian help. By inducting Bugti into the system one source of terrorism will be blocked. This would also foil one of the Indian plans. An agreement by Bugti to join the mainstream would discourage other terrorist groups who would be pressurised by their rank and file to enter into similar deals. Rebuffing Bugti would, on the other hand, send a wrong message to those separatists who might have been pondering over joining mainstream politics.
pk.shafaqna.com
