Ready for dialogue with govt to resolve Balochistan issue: Brahumdagh Bugti

This is the first time the BRA leader has stated his willingness for talks with the government

Self-exiled Baloch Republican Army (BRA) leader Brahumdagh Bugti has agreed to hold talks with the government on the Balochistan issue, hinting at the possibility of withdrawing demands of separation -- provided that was what the people in the province wanted.

“We are ready to stay with Pakistan if our friends, well-wishers, majority of the Baloch people and political allies want the same," the self-exiled separatist leader told the BBC Urdu in an interview in Switzerland.

This is the first time that the BRA leader, who is the grandson of former Balochistan governor and chief minister Nawab Akbar Bugti, has voiced his support for talks with the government.

However, he said that the Pakistani establishment had failed to address grievances of disgruntled Baloch, adding that it should be the government to take the steps for talks.

Read: ‘Will support US, Nato or Indian intervention’

Although Bugti denied that he had had any contact with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is in London these days, the Baloch leader said he wanted all issues to be resolved through peaceful negotiations.

“We can meet them if they want as we are politicians and want a political end to the crises,” he said. “This will be foolish if we refuse when the counterpart wants to resolve the issue through dialogue.”

He said that while efforts had been made in the past for staging dialogues, but no serious attempts had been made by the government, adding the environment must be made conducive for talks to take place.

“Dialogue is difficult alongside violence and that is why we have demanded an end to the operation in Balochistan, and bringing all forces on board before talks could be initiated,” he said.

When asked what would he discuss during any such talks, Bugti said they will present an agenda agreed upon by majority of Baloch groups.

He added that use of force would not help in resolving the issue.

“We neither have power, nor such a large 'army' that we can compete. Use of force would do no good.”

About the ongoing development projects in Balochistan, Bugti refused to accept the incumbent government as the true representative of the Baloch people or their will.

When asked if he was provided support from India, he said, that they would seek help from anyone.