Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Wednesday emphasized that the state is willing to resolve the unrest in his province through dialogue, but militants targeting civilians and security personnel are not willing to talk.
Addressing the Balochistan Assembly a day after the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, Bugti lashed out at people claiming Pakistan had “lost” the war in Balochistan. Stressing that the state had shown restraint in its response to the militants, he warned that if an actual war launched, it would soon become clear who was the victor and who the loser.
Lamenting that terrorism in his province has reached every home, Bugti said the time had come to launch coordinated actions to tackle the situation. Calling for addressing prevailing concerns through tribal, Islamic, and constitutional means, he maintained that any violent actions by terrorists require a response through violence.
“Targeting unarmed people is not part of Baloch traditions,” he said, stressing that even war has some principles. Condemning terrorist attacks, he said even hairdressers and laundrymen were being picked up and killed by the terrorists.
Congratulating security forces for successfully concluding a rescue operation, he lamented over the apparent confusion among lawmakers over the terrorist attack. Responding to lawmakers advocating dialogue with the militants, he reiterated that the government and state were ready to do so but stressed a need to understand this was not a war for rights, but rather separatists seeking an independent Balochistan.
He emphasized that anyone who advocates for the disintegration of the country and takes up arms will face the state’s wrath. “What should our response be if don’t conduct an operation against armed groups? Terrorism is being funded from neighboring countries,” he alleged. Recalling that the state’s previous attempts to negotiate peace, he said Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri was engaged in dialogue, while Balach Marri was encouraged to return from London and participate in elections.
Maintaining that the Constitution demands unconditional loyalty to the state, he urged the Assembly to suggest means to resolve the situation as the representative body of the entire province. He also announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would soon visit Balochistan, adding he would urge the premier to call a Jirga to find a solution to the problem.
During the session, the Balochistan Assembly adopted a resolution presented by Adviser to Chief Minister on Sports and Youth Affairs Meena Majeed Baloch condemning the terrorist attacks.