QUETTA: More than 400 militants belonging to different banned organisations surrendered at a ceremony held here on Friday to mark the Independence Day.

The militants said they had abandoned the struggle against the state and joined the mainstream. They pledged to work for development and prosperity of the country.

They handed over their arms to the authorities at the ceremony attended by Commander of Southern Command, Lt-Gen Mohammad Naseer Janjua, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti and Irrigation Minister Nawab Jangez Khan Marri.

The militants came to the dais one by one and put their weapons on a table decorated with the national flag. They were presented with national flags and flowers by children.

The militants said they had been fighting for a “false and baseless cause”. They pledged loyalty to Pakistan and said they would work as peaceful citizens for the wellbeing of the country.

Lt-Gen Nasser praised their decision and said: “We are no more enemies. Now we are friends and brothers. Militants still fighting on the mountains have been misguided. They should also give up their arms and join the mainstream as development of Balochistan and prosperity of its people depends on restoration of peace.”

He said the militants who had surrendered on the Independence Day had demonstrated wisdom and far-sightedness. “Now Balochistan is going to become a peaceful and economically thriving province,” he said.

He said the government should help surrendering militants in resettling in their homes and resuming a normal life.

Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said that terrorists would not be allowed to undermine peace of Balochistan.

“Militants have been given a chance to surrender and live a peaceful life,” he said, adding that he himself had forgiven even those who had killed his loved ones.

He predicted more militants would surrender soon.

He praised the militants’ decision to surrender and said they would not be left alone by the government.

Baloch people, he said, loved Pakistan and were loyal and patriotic Pakistanis.

He thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for approving the Peaceful Balochistan Package for rehabilitating militants who had surrendered.

Behram Baloch adds from Gwadar: Around 45 militants belonging to banned organisations announced their surrender and handed over their weapons to officials of the Frontier Corps at a ceremony.

They said that they had decided to stop fighting against the state and to work for development and prosperity of Balochistan and Pakistan.

The FC commandant welcomed their decision and said they would get financial aid to help them resettle in their areas.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

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