ISLAMABAD, Sept 14: An influential think tank urged Pakistan on Thursday to stop military action against nationalist militants in Balochistan and open dialogue with political parties to resolve the issue.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) said the conflict could intensify if the government pressed on with an offensive against nationalists fighting for greater autonomy.

“By choosing confrontation, the Musharraf government bears responsibility for the state of the conflict,” the Brussels-based group said in a report.

“The only one way out is to end all military action, release political prisoners and respect constitutionally guaranteed political freedoms.”

The ICG said Baloch nationalists’ demand for more autonomy and control over resources enjoyed widespread support and the government could not stem the unrest through force alone.

“The military government should recognise that it faces conflict not with a handful of sardars, but with a broad-based movement for political, economic and social empowerment,” the group said.

“The military can retain control over Balochistan’s territory through sheer force, but it cannot defeat an insurgency that has local support.”—Reuters