QUETTA: Self-exiled Baloch nationalist leader and intellectual Dr Jumma Khan Marri has announced that he is no longer part of the separation movement and is launching an organisation ‘Overseas Pak­istani Balochi Commu­nity’ for the Baloch living abroad.

According to media reports, he made the announce­ment at an event in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday to celebrate Pakistan Unity Day under the slogan “united we stand, divided we fall”.

Dr Marri has been living in Moscow for the past two decades and is one of the senior political activists of the Baloch move­ment. It is said that he had designed the movement’s flag. He is the son of former guerilla leader Mir Hazar Khan Marri who was a key player in the movement and leading the insurgency in the 1970s.

“I, along with my supporters, have decided to leave the Baloch movement,” said Dr Marri, according to the media reports.

He explained that the new organisation would counter the ongoing Free Balochistan Movement. He said they would confront and expose “evil designs” of disgruntled Baloch leaders such as Braham­dagh Bugti, Hyrbiyar Marri and Mehran Marri “who are on the Indian payroll”.

Speaking at the event, the Baloch leader said he would bring back all the misguided and innocent Baloch residing abroad on political asylum to the mainstream and rsolve their issues through a peaceful dialogue.

He extended an invitation to the Khan of Kalat to join and support his organisation.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2018