QUETTA: The leader of a key ally of the PML-N government has informally met an important self-exiled Baloch leader during his recent visit to London, sources confirmed to The Express Tribune on Saturday.
“It was an informal meeting between Pushtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Khan of Kalat Prince Mir Suleman Dawood Ahmedzai,” a source close to Prince Dawood said. “The two leaders discussed Pakistan’s politics and the situation in Balochistan,” he added.
According to the source, the PkMAP leader didn’t carry any message from anyone to the exiled Baloch leader. “They offered prayers and had meal together,” the source added. Details of the meeting haven’t transpired as the Balochistan government is tight-lipped on the meet-up. However, a picture of the Achakzai-Ahmedzai meeting went viral on social media a few days ago.
Rumours have it that Mir Suleman Dawood might return to Pakistan soon as part of the incumbent government’s efforts to negotiate peace with estranged Baloch nationalist leaders living in self-imposed exile in Europe.
Observers say the London rendezvous was a step by the federal and provincial governments to reach out to the exiled Baloch nationalists. The PkMAP, which is a coalition partner of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in Balochistan as well as in the centre, is said to be actively involved in this reconciliation process.
After the killing of Jamhoori Watan Party chief and Baloch chieftain Nawab Akbar Bugti in a military operation in 2006, several Baloch nationalist leaders went into self-exile. Subsequently, the security situation started deteriorating as an array of Baloch separatist groups emerged which have been fighting a low-key insurgency in the province plush with natural resources. Several attempts had been made in the past six years by the government to woo the estranged Baloch leaders – but to no avail.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2014.
COMMENTS (10)
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Forget it. No Baloch leader is returning.
Achkzai known subversive agent of Afghanistan and India
What has not been reported is which agency arranged the meeting(s).
Give these nationalist money & authority and they will come running back. Cancer for Balochistan, nothing more.
Step in the right direction. We need to be sincere in this effort though.
did these sardars really wanted any progress for their tribe or just want huddi (royalty)?
According to baloch activist malik siraj Akbar, the baloch insurgency is coming to an end.
A step in rite direction..
@TheGovt: Good job if are actually trying to bring Bloch nationalists back into main stream. They will come back, all you need to be is being honest with them
Great effort to bring all stakeholder togather and Musharaff must be punushed for his crime in balochistan.