QUETTA: The ‘come down from the hills and surrender call’ given by Prime Minister Z.A. Bhutto to the armed bands operating in what is usually stated as limited pockets of Marri and Mengal areas has activated various segments of the tribal society in Baluchistan to find an honourable way for ending the political stalemate in the province.

Soon after the Prime Minister fixed October 15 during his recent Baluchistan tour as a deadline for these people to lay down their arms, some tribal elders and “Motabars” … took upon themselves to bring about conciliation and create an atmosphere for tranquillity. Known as the Conciliation Committee, which comprises tribal elders belonging to both Baluch and Pathan sections of the population, it has held [a] series of separate meetings with Governor Mir Ahmad Yar Khan and Chief Minister Jam Mir Ghulam Qadir Khan to exchange views. …

Though the contents of the talks are being kept a well-guarded secret, it can safely be stated that the Conciliation Committee has optimistically been on the move towards achieving its objective. Government leaders in the province … have also started to build up contacts with those bands.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2024