BRA commander surrenders to govt

Najeebullah admits he was used by anti-Pakistan elements

QUETTA:

Najeebullah, a former commander of the banned Baloch Republican Army (BRA), surrendered to the government along with some other militant commanders, in a significant step towards restoring peace and stability in the province, officials said on Friday.

In his media talk in the presence of provincial ministers Mir Zahoor Buledi and Meena Majid, Najeebullah admitted that he had been used by anti-Pakistan elements to spread unrest in the country and target innocent civilians.

"Militant organisations exploit the youth to create chaos, and serve the agenda of foreign powers, aiming to destabilise Pakistan," he said. He added that dissenters in the militant outfits often faced threats or arrests abroad, which strengthened his resolve to abandon militancy.

Najeebullah revealed that he had joined the BRA in 2005 with political aspirations but became disillusioned by the internal divisions and the pressure to align with foreign-backed networks like Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS).

The government welcomed Najeebullah's surrender. "We welcome those who have laid down their arms and abandoned violence," Meena Majid said. "Pakistan is a great country, and the government is committed to addressing their grievances and ensuring they become part of a peaceful society."

Buledi expressed the hope that the commanders of the outlawed groups would play a key role in establishing a peaceful Balochistan. Officials reiterated their support for individuals choosing peace, calling Najeebullah's surrender a significant step toward restoring stability in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, the Wilson Center, a reputable American think-tank, has also said that militants were exploiting women for their terrorist activities. It point out the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) was involved in coercing women through extreme psychological pressure for suicide bombings.

In Balochistan's conservative society, where family honour was sacred, the BLA often weaponised shame, it said, adding that the insurgents exploited women's socio-economic struggles, using threats of dishonour, sexual violence, and blackmail to trap them into deadly roles.

BLA commits sexual atrocities to recruit women as suicide bombers. Adila Baloch, Shari Baloch and Mahil Baloch were forced to commit suicide by the BLA under social and psychological pressure. The report added that sexual violence against women was a sign of BLA's moral decline.