QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch is in contact with some of the ‘angry Baloch leaders’ for initiating a process of dialogue to resolve issues faced by the province, says provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti.
Talking to newsmen on the occasion of the dispatching of two trucks loaded with bags of rice for the drought-hit people of Tharparkar on Sunday, he said the federal government and Balochistan Assembly had empowered the chief minister to approach Baloch insurgent leaders and work out a process of dialogue for reconciliation.
He said the chief minister had contacted some of the leaders and was trying to bring them to the negotiating table.
Dr Malik Baloch returned home on Saturday after a week-long visit to London where some Baloch leaders, including Khan of Kalat Mir Suleman Dawood Ahmadzai and Nawabzada Hairbiyar Marri, have been living for years.
It could not be ascertained if the chief minister could meet these leaders during his stay in London.
According to political observers here, some ‘impartial people’ are playing a role to persuade the leaders to hold talks with the government.
Sarfaraz Bugti said the chief minister had initiated the process and the media would be informed about any progress in this regard.
He said the issue of Balochistan could be resolved only through dialogue.
Appreciating the federal government’s decision to hold talks with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Mr Bugti said it was the political wisdom of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that despite strong reservations he decided to give dialogue a chance to end the war-like situation in the country.
Answering a question, he said even though some Baloch groups were involved in terrorist activities, there was no harm in holding talks with them. Dialogue should be given a chance to resolve the province’s issues, he added.
About the reported differences among coalition partners in Balochistan over ministerial powers, Mr Bugti said the matter would be sorted out by the chief minister and PML-N parliamentary leader Sardar Sanaullah Zehri.
He said the Balochistan government had sent 1,000 bags of rice for drought-hit people in Sindh. “We are in contact with the Sindh government and we will extend all possible help to our Sindhi brothers,” he added.
