Wadh warring factions announce ceasefire

Nawab Aslam Raisani says tribal elders brokered truce after successful meetings with belligerent sides

QUETTA:

A tribal delegation led by Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani on Friday announced that both the warring Mengal factions had agreed to a ceasefire in Wadh Teshil of Khuzdar, Balochistan.

A delegation of tribal leaders under the leadership of Chief of Sarawan and former Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Mohammad Aslam Khan Raisani left for Wadh on Friday morning to reconcile the warring tribes.

In order to reduce the ongoing tension in Wadh, Raisani launched reconciliation efforts between the warring groups led by MNA Akhtar Mengal and tribal chief Shafiq Mengal.

Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Khan Raisani and Nawabzada Mir Raees Raisani also accompanied the former chief minister, spokesperson Sarawan House said.

The delegation also included the Pashtun leaders of Raisani and other tribes.

Earlier, talking to the media, former CM Balochistan said that these are our own people who are suffering due to armed conflicts.

“The ongoing tension between the two sides for the past few days has been a cause of concern for us. It is our national and tribal responsibility to resolve the issue amicably between the two parties,” he said

On Thursday, tension and panic prevailed in the Wadh tehsil as the two main political rival groups started fighting once again.

Both sides used heavy weapons against each other in Wadh and surrounding villages, an official of the district administration said.

He requested anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to the media.

There are no confirmed reports of casualties as a result of armed clashes in the area.

Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo took notice of the situation and urged both groups to practice patience and avoid further escalating the conflict.

“The CM has been monitoring the situation and directed the administration to ensure peace,” said an official statement issued on Thursday evening.

An emergency was also declared in Khuzdar district to tackle with the situation. Health officials said two injured children were brought to the Wadh hospital for medical treatment.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2023.