400 Baloch separatists say farewell to arms

Say they had been fighting for a baseless cause

QUETTA/ ISLAMABAD:

With the resolve to stop fighting against the state, 400 Baloch separatists laid down their arms in a ceremony held on the occasion of Independence Day on Friday.

The event was held at the Quetta Police Line and attended by Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Muhammad Nasser Khan Janjua, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Irrigation Minister Nawab Jangez Marri, Home Secretary Capt (retd) Akbar Hussain Durrani, Inspector General of Police Aamlish Khan, senior military and civil officials and tribal elders.

The separatists belonging to different organisations placed their weapons one by one at a table decorated with the Pakistani flag. Each of them was presented with the Pakistani flag and flowers from the children standing there.

Overcome with emotions, the surrendering separatists said they had been fighting for a false and baseless cause. They vowed that they would never again fight against the state.

“We shall remain peaceful and loyal to Pakistan and shall live the rest of our lives as Pakistani nationals,” said one of them.

The former separatists shouted “long live Pakistan” and vowed not to work against the state anymore. They assured the authorities that they would be a part of efforts for the development and prosperity of the country.

Lt Gen Janjua said the militants should join the majority for the bright future of the people of the country.

“All the militants would have to leave their fight against the state to join the mainstream, as progress and prosperity of Balochistan and development of their people is linked with the restoration of peace.”

He said the militants who surrendered on the occasion of Independence Day had displayed great wisdom. “Balochistan will now turn into a peaceful and economically-thriving province.”

Janjua said that abandoning violence and adopting a peaceful life was a positive stride. “Those who have surrendered are our brothers and will be settled in their homes.”

Bugti said terrorists would not be allowed to harm the peace of Balochistan. “Militants have been given a chance to surrender to live a peaceful life. I forgave even those who killed my loved ones.”

The minister said the Baloch loved Pakistan and were patriot Pakistanis. He thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief Gen Raheel Sharif for the Peaceful Balochistan Programme.

A few months ago, the Balochistan government had announced a reconciliation policy to pave the way for the resolution of issues relating to the province that has been in the grip of violence for over a decade.

The government had announced that every militant would be provided Rs500,000 to Rs1.5 million for laying down their weapons. Militants from Quetta, Khuzdar, Dera Bugti and other parts of Balochistan have surrendered.


Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2015.