QUETTA: Two leaders of the banned militant groups surrendered along with their 47 companions here on Saturday.

Shikari Marri and Madina Marri laid down their weapons and announced at a press conference that they had abandoned their anti-state activities and would serve the people as citizens of Pakistan.

They said they belonged to the banned United Baloch Army (UBA) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Speaking on the occasion, Balochistan Irrigation Minister Nawab Jangayz Marri, who is also chief of his tribe, Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti and Frontier Corps Deputy Inspector General Brig Tahir Mehmood said the youths working for militant groups should join the mainstream because peace was needed for progress and prosperity of the province.

The home minister said the nationalist leaders living abroad should avoid patronising militancy in Balochistan.

“The Baloch nationalist leaders living in foreign countries should return to the country to join mainstream politics,” he said.

He said all law-enforcement agencies, including the FC, police and Levies force, were playing a significant role for restoration of peace in the province.

He said unrest had been triggered and incidents of targeted killing had taken place in Quetta recently after the announcement of the execution of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project which would pass through Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play