Brahamdagh Bugti willing to negotiate with govt: BBC

[Captain.x]

Brahamdagh Bugti, the separatist leader of the outlawed Baloch Republican Party (BRP) on Wednesday said that he is willing to negotiate with the government over the Balochistan issue, according to an interview given to BBC Urdu.
“If our friends, companions, political allies and finally the people are in favour of this, then we are definitely ready to live with Pakistan,” said Bugti.
“We want to resolve all issues politically and peacefully,” added Bugti.
Bugti had always rejected negotiations in the past and remained firm in his stance for an ‘independent’ Balochistan.
Referring to Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is currently in London, Bugti said, “We are ready to meet him as we want a political solution to the problem.”
Bugti, who currently resides in Switzerland, elaborated by asking what difference has been made by torture, killings and arrests in the last ten to fifteen years.
He also stated that the negotiating environment must be conducive.
When asked about assistance from India, Bugti said he will not deny it, as it is usual for people to ask for assistance when they are defending themselves.
“Development in Balochistan is irrelevant, as a democratic government is not present in the province and the Baloch people were not included in the decision,” said Bugti.
Chief Minister Balochistan welcomes Bugti's statement
Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has welcomed the statement from Brahamdagh Bugti and termed it a positive step towards restoration of normalcy in the province.
“Flames of conflict must be extinguished in Balochistan, the province needs to heal after 15 long years of violence,” said the chief minister.
The chief minister stated that the civil and military leadership were on the same page with regards to issues relating to Balochistan.
“It has been our stance to resolve all issues faced by Balochistan through political means,” added Baloch.
He also said that his government had launched a policy of reconciliation in Balochistan to bring an end to the violence and unrest.
It is pertinent to mention that security operations in Balochistan have increased in frequency and militants who were previously fighting against the state have started surrendering in substantial numbers, after an amnesty was announced.
Earlier in August, around 400 militants had laid down their weapons before authorities in Quetta during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day.
The government is also engaged in negotiations with the Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleman Dawood.
Earlier, Chief of Jhalawan and Senior Balochistan Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri had met the exiled Baloch leader Khan of Kalat in London.
Chief Minister Balochistan had confirmed that his government will request members of the 'Grand Baloch Jirga' to make a formal appeal for Khan of Kalat’s return.
The chief minister had also stated that many militants had surrendered their weapons and joined the political process, which is an encouraging sign for the province.

Brahamdagh Bugti willing to negotiate with govt: BBC - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

 

[Maarkhoor]

Jab laghi ph..ney parsaad laghey batnay.
Army chief ka dhanda bramdog howa thanda.

 

[Al Bhatti]

Maybe a trap and i wish we do not fall for it.

 

[New Resolve]

Dominoes falling.

 

[Spring Onion]

Warming up: Brahumdagh Bugti amenable to dialogue
By Farrukh Kamrani / New Desk
Published: August 27, 2015
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Brahumdagh Bugti. PHOTO: FILE

In a first, a self-exiled Baloch separatist leader has warmed up to the dialogue option to resolve the Balochistan conundrum, saying that he is willing to withdraw his demand for an independent Balochistan state, if the Baloch people desire so.

In the past, Brahumdagh Bugti, the chief of the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) and grandson of slain Jamhoori Watan Party leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, had repeatedly rejected dialogue offers and insisted on armed struggle for an independent Balochistan.

In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, Brahumdagh, who had fled Pakistan following the killing of his grandfather, claimed that the security establishment had to review its strategy on the Balochistan issue as “it has accepted that it could be resolved only through peace negotiations”.

Brahumdagh – who is seeking political asylum in Switzerland – said 10-15 years of violence in Balochistan has not solved the problem. He was referring to a low-key insurgency in the province which had started in 2004 and intensified in 2006 after the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti in a military operation in Kohlu.

Asked what would be his response if the establishment set the precondition of giving up his demand for an independent Balochistan, Brahumdagh said, “If the majority of our friends, comrades, political allies and people of Balochistan desire this then we are ready to stay with Pakistan.”

Brahumdagh denied reports of his contacts with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who is in London these days but said he wanted to resolve all issues peacefully through political means.

“If they [Pakistan govt] want to pursue talks, we are ready to engage. We are a political people and want a political solution. It will be stupid to refuse dialogue if somebody invites us to come to the negotiating table,” he added.

Brahumdagh said the government had contacted them a number of times in the past but no serious effort was made. “During the Pakistan Peoples Party government, we had had talks with [then interior minister] Rehman Malik. But when we contacted [then president] Asif Ali Zardari, he said the establishment was not ready for talks.”

He called for an environment conducive for talks. “Negotiations will be difficult amidst killings. That is why we demand the military operation is called off and forces called back to barracks. Only then the environment can become suitable for negotiations,” he said.

Responding to a question about the agenda of possible talks, he said, “We will see what they [govt] have to offer. If they asked, we would give them the agenda, which would be approved by the majority of our people.”

Asked if the Baloch separatists were facing public pressure to seek a political solution, Brahumdagh said they were willing to pursue dialogue without an iota of doubt. “Ten to 15 years have passed but no serious effort has ever been made to hold dialogue. Such discussions remained confined to newspapers and official meetings,” he claimed.

To a question about his group receiving funds from India, Brahumdagh said that he would not refuse, if New Delhi offered him help. “Everybody seeks help to defend himself and we may even seek help from the United States and the United Nations,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2015.

 

[Thorough Pro]

but We do NOT negotiate with TERRORISTS and TRAITORS

 

[Al Bhatti]

August 28, 2015

Baloch leaders get ready for talks abroad
Move to explore ways to find a political solution to the long-running separatist insurgency

A delegation of tribal elders from Pakistan’s Balochistan province will be sent abroad soon for talks with estranged Baloch leaders living in exile to explore ways to find a political solution to the long-running separatist insurgency in the southwesten province.

Balochistan’s Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch disclosed the planned move in a statement published on Friday, after prominent Baloch separatist leader Brahmdagh Bugti, living in self-exile in Switzerland, made a conciliatory statement.

In an interview to the BBC on Wednesday, Brahmdagh Bugti said he was prepared to give up his demand for an independent Balochistan if its people so desire.

Bugti, who leads his Baloch Republican Party from self-exile, also said he was willing to engage in dialogue with the government provided the ongoing military operation in Balochistan was halted.

He gave the interview on the occasion of ninth anniversary of the death of his grandfather Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, tribal chieftain and former provincial chief minister, in a military operation in Balochistan on August 26, 2006.

The chief minister said Brahmdagh Bugti’s statement was “a breakthrough” and good omen for efforts to resolve the Balochistan unrest politically.

Dr Baloch said that from the beginning he had been trying to find a political solution to the problem.

He said a “grand jirga” (traditional assembly of elders) would soon be sent abroad to initiate talks with exiled Baloch leaders, including Brahmdagh Bugti and London-residing Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleiman Dawood Jan.

“The grand jirga will comprise influential chieftains of the Baloch, Pakhtun, Hazara and all other tribes besides political leaders,” the chief minister said.

Dr Baloch said both the political and military leaderships of the country wanted to resolve the Balochistan issue through dialogue and put the province on the path of development and prosperity.

“The military and civilian leaderships are on the same page on this issue,” he said.

Dr Baloch claimed that the Balochistan government did have the mandate to initiate negotiations with the exiled leaders, saying his government was ready to hold talks with any estranged Baloch leader.

“We are political people and believe in democracy. We want to resolve all issues in a democratic way,” the chief minister said, urging political parties with roots in the masses to come forward and play their role in restoring peace in Balochistan.

A so-titled “peaceful Balochistan programme” was launched this year with the approval of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and military coordination and support.

The government in June announced amnesty and authorities say that in response hundreds of insurgents from different Baloch militant groups involved in separatist rebellion have laid down their arms.

Those who renounced violence have been provided financial assistance and rehabilitated. Authorities in the mineral-rich province expect that more militants will follow suit and join the national mainstream, especially after Brahmdagh Bugti’s changed stance and prospects of dialogue.

Baloch leaders get ready for talks abroad | GulfNews.com