Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch Tuesday told the provincial lawmakers that he was engaged in dialogues with the Khan of Kalat, Baloch militants and religious extremists in a bid to bring peace to the restive province.
The chief minister’s statement came in response to a unanimous resolution passed by the Balochistan Assembly for the respectable return of Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleman Daud Ahmedzai who has been leading life in exile since the murder of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in August 2006.
Deputy Speaker Abdul Quddoos Bezinjo presided over the assembly session.
Members of treasury and opposition benches supported the resolution tabled by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) member Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran relating to the return of Khan of Kalat.
“A tribal jirga must be constituted to negotiate with Khan of Kalat for his return,” Sardar Khetran told the assembly while commenting on the resolution. He mentioned that the exiled Baloch leader could play an important role in restoration of peace in Balochistan, plagued by violent attacks by Baloch separatists and banned sectarian outfits.
Commenting on the resolution, Dr Baloch said that he was ready to play his role in bringing back Daud.
He said that he and Senator Mir Hasil Bezinjo had called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and apprised him about the issues confronted by Balochistan, including dumping of decomposed bodies and missing persons issue. He said the premier had told them that he was fully aware of these issues and wanted their resolution at the earliest.
He also said that the federal government and All Parties Conference held in Islamabad had assigned him the task to conduct dialogues with militant forces to bring peace in Balochistan.
“I stand for peace and I will make all possible efforts for negotiated settlement of issues relating to the province,” Dr Baloch said.
Mufti Gulab and Maulvi Maazullah of JUI-F also endorsed the resolution and called for political unity to bring back the exiled-Baloch leaders for an amicable restoration of peace in the province.