QUETTA: The Commander Southern Command, Lt Gen Naseer Khan Janjua, has again called upon angry Baloch leaders to join the mainstream and work in cooperation with the government to serve the country.

Speaking at a function held to pay tribute to martyrs at the Samungli Airbase here on Sunday, he asserted that peace would be restored in Balochistan. “We are ready for negotiations with all those who believe in federation and development of Balochistan. But we will not spare the elements fighting against the country,” Gen Janjua added.

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He said the nation would not forget the sacrifices rendered by the troops fighting terrorists and anti-state elements. He paid homage to the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives while protecting the motherland and its people.

He said Sept 6 was a day of great significance in the nation’s history when the armed forces and the people defeated the three-time larger enemy. “We should pledge on this occasion that we will remain united for development and prosperity of the country.”

Gen Janjua said the people who had gone to the mountains and were fighting against the state should abandon their armed struggle and join hands with the government for development of the country and welfare of its people. But, he warned, if they did not join the mainstream they would have to face the security forces.

“We would not allow anyone to disturb peace,” he said, adding that security forces would chase the elements trying to create unrest in Balochistan “at the behest of their foreign masters”.

Speaking at another function organised on Saturday night by the Frontier Corps Balochistan at Ghaza Band Scouts Headquarters, Gen Janjua lauded the sacrifices rendered by FC officers and soldiers for restoring peace in Balochistan.

He said that some self-seeking elements had been using the people of Balochistan for a long time for their personal interests, but the situation had now changed and they would not be able now to deceive the masses. The efforts for development and prosperity of Balochistan would not be abandoned.

He said the future of Balochistan was bright and it would play an important role in future development of the country.

FC Inspector General Maj Gen Sher Afgan said that about 650 officers and soldiers of Frontier Corps had sacrificed their lives for restoring peace in Balochistan. More than 3,500 civilians have also lost their lives.

“We cannot forget the sacrifices of these civilians because peace in Balochistan has been restored with the help and cooperation of people,” he said, adding that because of their sacrifices and efforts even the people who had gone to the mountains were now talking about peace.

The FC chief said the enemies wanted to carry out “subversive activities” in Balochistan on national days, but security forces had foiled their designs. He paid tribute to watchman Talib Hussain who had sacrificed his life but did not allow a suicide bomber to enter Hazara Town a day before Eid.

“A handful of terrorists will not be allowed to hold the nation hostage and carry out subversive activities,” he said.

Balochistan IG Mohammad Amlish also attended the function.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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