QUETTA: Seventy-seven militants belonging to different Baloch organisations have surrendered themselves to the official authorities and announced giving up militancy.
These 77 people and 236 other members of militant organisations, who announced giving up fighting against the state over the past few weeks, handed over their arms to the authorities during a ceremony held at the lawns of Balochistan Assembly here on Saturday. Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, provincial ministers Nawab Muhammad Khan Shahwani, Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, Rehmat Saleh Baloch and Sardar Raza Muhammad Bareach and other senior civil and military offices were present on the occasion.
Among those who announced ending militancy included 143 members of Balochistan Republican Army (BRA), 125 of Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and 17 Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). The remaining people belonged to other militant groups. Some leaders of these militant organisations are among these people.
Around 2,000 militants who had been fighting against the state for over a decade have announced shunning militancy
Around 2,000 militants who had been fighting against the state for over a decade have announced ending militancy under the government’s peaceful Balochistan reconciliation programme.
According to these former members of militant organisations, a large number of other members of these groups are also ready to end the armed campaign.
On the occasion the chief minister distributed an amount of Rs29,700,000 among these people as financial assistance under the programme.
Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti told Dawn that under the reconciliation programme the provincial government was giving financial assistance to those who agreed to end militancy — Rs1 million to a leader of the militant organisation, Rs700,000 to a second-rank leader and Rs500,000 to a member.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Zehri said that the government would deal strictly with those who are challenging the writ of the state. But, he added, it would welcome those who would agree to end militancy. “I will hug all those who believe in the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan, but will not tolerate those who will challenge the writ of the state.”
The chief minister said that after the passage of 18th Amendment in the Constitution a number of subjects had been transferred to provinces. “We all have been struggling for our rights over past 70 years. Now the time has come to enjoy the outcome of our struggle.”
He lashed out at Brahamdagh Bugti and Hairbiyar Marri, saying that these so-called freedom fighters were enjoying a luxurious life in foreign countries and enticing poor people in the country to fight against the state. “Their children study in Oxford and other foreign institutions and they use luxury vehicles. They use the Baloch youth as fuel against the state. “They are taking money from Pakistan’s enemies,” he added.
Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2017
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