Balochistan reconciliation: Govt withdraws cases against Brahamdagh
Bugti has been accused of targeting important national installations such as gas pipelines and power pylons.
QUETTA:
The Balochistan government has decided to withdraw 28 cases registered against the self-exiled chief of Baloch Republican Party (BRP) Brahamdagh Bugti, who has applied for political asylum in Switzerland.
The decision comes after Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that estranged Baloch nationalists would be allowed to return to Pakistan and join mainstream politics. Bugti has been accused of targeting important national installations such as gas pipelines and power pylons, along with security forces in Dera Bugti and Sui areas.
According to a senior official of the Balochistan’s home department, Sibi division’s commissioner had submitted detailed reports about the cases registered against Brahamdagh.
“The home department had earlier sought details from senior officials from different districts. It is still early. In the initial stage, the department is collecting details about the cases registered against Baloch leaders, and then it will work to withdraw them,” the official said requesting anonymity.
Rehman Malik had earlier said that the government would withdraw cases against Baloch leaders in order to persuade them to return and join negotiations.
However, most nationalist leaders have rejected the offers, terming them insufficient and insignificant for holding meaningful talks. They believe all the cases against them have been fabricated by governments, both past and present.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2012.
The Balochistan government has decided to withdraw 28 cases registered against the self-exiled chief of Baloch Republican Party (BRP) Brahamdagh Bugti, who has applied for political asylum in Switzerland.
The decision comes after Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that estranged Baloch nationalists would be allowed to return to Pakistan and join mainstream politics. Bugti has been accused of targeting important national installations such as gas pipelines and power pylons, along with security forces in Dera Bugti and Sui areas.
According to a senior official of the Balochistan’s home department, Sibi division’s commissioner had submitted detailed reports about the cases registered against Brahamdagh.
“The home department had earlier sought details from senior officials from different districts. It is still early. In the initial stage, the department is collecting details about the cases registered against Baloch leaders, and then it will work to withdraw them,” the official said requesting anonymity.
Rehman Malik had earlier said that the government would withdraw cases against Baloch leaders in order to persuade them to return and join negotiations.
However, most nationalist leaders have rejected the offers, terming them insufficient and insignificant for holding meaningful talks. They believe all the cases against them have been fabricated by governments, both past and present.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2012.