QUETTA: PPP Senator Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani, who is the younger brother of Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, said on Monday that Baloch insurgents had contacted him and they wanted to peacefully join the mainstream politics.

“Baloch insurgents have established contacts with me and they have expressed their desire to peacefully join the mainstream politics,” he said.

He said he had informed the prime minister about his contact with the insurgents, adding he could take further initiative after receiving a reply from the premier.

He said that old policies about Balochistan were still being pursued and if the situation did not change, he could also think of going to the mountains like others. He said judiciary should also play its role to protect democracy and national integrity.

Mr Raisani criticised the role of Interior Minister Rahman Malik and said that anti-Pakistan forces would be encouraged if the government did not take notice of allegations levelled by Dr Zulfikar Mirza against him.

He claimed that Mr Malik had always sabotaged efforts made to normalise the situation in Balochistan. He said Mr Malik talked about reconciliation in Karachi, but hurled threats of using “danda” in Balochistan and this aroused suspicions about his role.

He demanded that elements who wanted to dismember Pakistan should be tried under Article 6 of the Constitution.—Saleem Shahid