QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Malik Baloch has sought the support and advice of the Sharif brothers to bring an end to growing sectarian violence in Quetta, the capital of restive Balochistan province.

Dr Malik Baloch has requested Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to extend their full cooperation in bringing peace in the restive part of Pakistan.

“Tell me the peace formula you applied in Punjab for Balochistan,” an insider of the meeting told Dawn.com while quoting a conversation between Dr Baloch and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif regarding deteriorating law and order situation.

Dr Malik Baloch thoroughly discussed worsening law and order situation in Balochistan with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other high ups during his recent visit to Islamabad.

The CM Balochistan discussed all ways and means with the prime minister to restore durable peace in the militancy-hit province.

“If you cannot completely solve the issue, please help us in decreasing the volume of sectarian incidents,” Dr Malik Baloch requested the prime minister.

However, the insider of the meeting said that the prime minister was silent when Dr Baloch asked about the peace formula, which has been applied in Punjab.

This conversation between the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch has come after the former announced holding talks with all militant groups operating in Balochistan.

“We will hold dialogue with all militant groups, whether sectarian or Baloch separatists”, Dr Baloch announced during the recently held session of Balochistan Assembly.

A suicide bomber killed around 100 Shia Hazara's on January 10 this year near a snooker club on Alamdar road area of Quetta.

This incident was followed by the removal of the Nawab Raisani-led government and the imposition of governor’s rule on the province.

During governor’s rule, a suicide attack also took place in which more than 100 were killed at a crowded market place in Hazara town area of Quetta.

Balochistan has been under the grip of violence for more than a decade.

Scores of people have lost their lives in attacks related to Baloch separatists and recent sectarian suicide bombings and targeted killings in Quetta.

The provincial government appears to be helpless in tackling the growing threat of terrorist incidents.

The Dr Malik Baloch-led coalition government solely depends on the federal government with regard to initiating dialogue with armed groups and restoring peace in the volatile province.