QUETTA: The Balochistan government is ready to start a dialogue on the issue of missing persons or any other matter, but will not compromise on law and order, Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove said on Saturday.

“All measures are being taken to maintain law and order and restore the writ of the state,” the provincial minister said after presiding over a meeting on law and order.

Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, the Balochistan inspector general of police, and Quetta Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat briefed the meeting on the law and order situation in the provincial capital.

Senior officials complained that protesters holding sit-ins on the issue of missing persons take the law into their hands, damage public property and police vehicles.

It was revealed that investigations indicate Zaheer Zeb, a missing person, was not in the custody of any security agency nor was he wanted by police.

“The government believes in negotiations and is ready to cooperate with the protesters,” an official said.

Another official said protesters should be wary of “masked miscreants” looking for an opportunity to cause a mayhem.

Provincial ministers and officials have condemned the attack on a vehicle of security forces in Quetta on Saturday, lauding the soldiers’ sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

Home Minister said Balochistan government had never refused to hold negotiations with protesters, but at the same time expressed concerns over the “presence of masked individuals” at the sit-ins.

“Protesters should cooperate with police and the administration, keeping in mind the law and order situation,” Mr Langove said.

Provincial minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani said the government was ready to accept “lawful demands” of agitators, but won’t allow any individual or group to trample the law.

He recalled that the government had held talks with the protesters at least three times.

Bakht Kakar, another provincial minister, said the five women protesters taken into custody were released on the chief minister’s orders the same day.

“It is regrettable that the Baloch Solidarity Committee has refused to negotiate with a government delegation,” Mr Kakar said, recalling the body’s refusal to meet the team on Friday.

IGP Sheikh also said police would “cooperate with the protesters” if they “protest peacefully”.

“But if the protesters attempt to sabotage law and order, the law will take its course,” he warned.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2024