BADIN: Nawab Gazain Marri, a former home minister of Balochistan who recently returned home ending his 18-year self-exile, told his tribesmen in Golarchi town that he was yet to decide which party he would join.

Gazain Marri had left the country after being accused of being involved in the murder of Justice Nawaz Marri in 1999. He was believed to be supporting the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army — a secessionist outfit led by his brother Harbyar Marri — and its terrorist activities in parts of Pakistan.

Speaking to several hundred members of the Marri tribe, who had gathered here to meet him late on Monday evening, Gazain Marri said he quit the secessionist activities and nationalist politics and decided to join the mainstream politics.”Before joining any party, I found it pertinent to meet members of the Marri tribe living in different parts of the country and consult sane elements among them,” he said.

He discussed with the audience his life abroad during the period of self-exile, situation in Balochistan and his plan to serve the people of the province and the country in future.

Later, talking to local reporters, Gazain Marri said that he was sure that justice would be dispensed to him in the cases registered against him as all these cases were politically motivated. He denied his involvement in the murder of Justice Marri.

In reply to a question regarding the new government in Balochistan, he said it was unlikely to deliver as it was left with a very short time. He expressed his deep grief over the killing of Sindhi and Punjabi labourers in Balochistan in recent months and condemned such attacks.

Regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said the project would bring prosperity in Balochistan and other parts of the country.

Replying another question, he said the authorities concerned must hold talks with those who had taken arms against the state in Balochistan during the tyrannical rule of General [Pervez] Musharraf to save their lives and honour.

Issues like “enforced disappearances” must also be addressed, he added.Gazain Marri said that people of his tribe would fully support the security agencies in curbing the menace of terrorism.

Shahzain Marri, Mir Humayun Khan Marri and Sindh United Party leader Dr Dodo Mehri were also present.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2018