Over 300 suspected militants surrender in Balochistan

F.P. Report

BALOCHISTAN: As part of the ongoing political reconciliation in Balochistan, more than 300 suspected militants laid down arms before the government and security forces on Saturday.

The Ferraris who reportedly belonged to various banned militant groups surrendered before Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa during a ceremony held at the Balochistan Assembly hall.

Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and other high level officials were also present on the occasion. The suspected militants while laying down arms vowed to work for peace and development of the country. Waving Pakistani flags during the ceremony, the Ferraris said they were misled by some elements to serve their personal agendas at the cost of poor people.

Appreciating the surrender, Chief Minister Zehri said peace and reconciliation process would continue despite all odds.

“We welcome you all,” he told the crowd. Zehri said the country has a “big heart” to accept those whose hands were coloured with the blood of innocent people.

“Now it is your turn to struggle for stability and development of the country,” he said. The Ferraris who gave up their weapons were involved in subversive activities for more than a decade in various parts of Balochistan.

The Balochistan reconciliation process was launched by former chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch a few years ago.

The largest province of the country by area, Balochistan is home to a low-level insurgency by ethnic Baloch separatists. Militants linked to domestic and foreign terrorist groups also operate in the region. The province shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran.