200 Baloch separatists lay down arms in Turbat

QUETTA: At least 200 Baloch separatist militants have laid down their arms and announced becoming a part of the national mainstream on Thursday at a ceremony held at FC Headquarters in Turbat.

Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Commander Southern Command Lt General Asim Saleem Bajwa were chief guests of the ceremony.

Last year, Swiss authorities rejected political asylum for Brahumdagh Bugti, the exiled leader of the banned Baloch Republican Party (BRP), after more than seven years.

The application of the outlawed BRP leader had earlier also been turned down by the Switzerland immigration authorities. It was also reported that Bugti had, on September 19, 2016, formally asked the Indian government to grant him an asylum and Indian nationality so that he could live in India and move around the world to campaign against Pakistan.

The report was later denied by India and the BRP, but, just four days later, the news turned out to be correct and Bugti officially announced that he would apply for Indian citizenship for himself and his family.

Similarly, Mehran Marri, son of Balochistan nationalist movement’s stalwart Khair Bux Marri (late) and brother-in-law of Brahumdagh Bugti, was slapped with a lifelong entry ban by the Switerzland last year.