QUETTA: Chief Minister-designate, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has termed recovery of missing Baloch political workers imperative for restoration of peace in Balochistan – Pakistan’s province plagued with insurgency for more than twelve years.

“I have told Nawaz Sharif that without recovery of missing persons we cannot go even a single step ahead,” Baloch told Dawn.com after the session of Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday.

The National Party (NP) chief said mutilated dead bodies’ recovery has to be stopped so that peace could be restored in the volatile province. “My first and foremost priority is restoration of peace in Balochistan,” he said.

He said the disgruntled Baloch leaders would be brought to the negotiation table by taking confidence building measures to restore their lost trust. “When talks can be held with Taliban, then why not with Balochs,” he said, adding that peace paves the way for development thus decreasing poverty and unemployment.

Dr Baloch said the accused involved in the murder of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti would be brought to the book. “Martyrdom of Nawab Bugti was indeed a contributing factor in growing insurgency in Balochistan,” he added.