QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has said his government was ready to welcome those militants who abandon the path of violence and join the mainstream.

Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Balochistan Youth State Harmony Summit’, the chief minister said in order to incite and provoke the Baloch youth against the state, anti-state elem­ents mislead people on various issues and past events.

The seminar was organised by the Balochistan Uni­versity of Information Tech­nology, Engineering and Management Sciences (Bui­tems) in collaboration with the Voice of Balochistan.

Buitems Vice Chance­llor Dr Khalid Hafeez, MPA Dr Rubaba Buledi, former militant commander Sarfraz Bangulzai and anchorperson Shahid Rind were part of the panel.

Vows not to compromise on Balochistan’s rights

The only entity with the authority to use force against the people challenging the legitimacy and writ of the government is the state, the CM said.

He said no one would be allowed to use force to press their demands and asserted that “it is against the religion, customs, culture and society”.

Appreciating former militant commander Bang­ulzai for surrendering to the state, Mr Bugti noted that although the fomer was on the wrong track, the state has welcomed him back into society.

“The government will help every such individual who wants to join the mainstream,” Mr Bugti said.

About the disgruntled Baloch, he said those who chose the path of violence and took the lives of innocent citizens are not disgruntled but militants.

The real disgruntled Baloch are the youths who complete their education and don’t find jobs since parliamentarians and bureaucracy sell them out, the CM said.

“There will be disharmony between the state and the youth when jobs will be sold for money instead of being given on merit,” Mr Bugti said.

He claimed that during his tenure as chief minister, no job would be sold.

Mr Bugti said there would be no compromise on the rights of the people of Balochistan and the resources of the province.

With a firm stance “but in a polite way”, the federal government will be told to protect the rights of the people of the province, the CM said. Mr Bugti stressed the need to create awareness among the youth as militants in Dubai and Singapore are misleading them through social media.

“The ongoing war on terror is not a fight between militants and the army; it is a war we have to fight together as it is a war for our survival being fought by our brave soldiers.”

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2024