During a one-day visit to Turbat, Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti met with National Party Chairman Dr. Malik Baloch to offer condolences for his brother’s passing. At Dr. Malik’s residence, Chief Minister Bugti expressed the government’s readiness to engage in dialogue with Baloch ‘pro-independence’ groups to reach a peaceful resolution. He warned, however, that should these groups decline negotiations, security forces are equipped with modern technology to pinpoint and neutralize their positions.
Addressing the issue of missing persons in Balochistan, Chief Minister Bugti suggested that those unaccounted for are ‘indefensible,’ implying a justification for their enforced disappearance. He said that there’s a difference between ‘enforced disappearances’ and ‘self-missing persons,’ repeating the official stance that many reported ‘missing’ have voluntarily joined armed guerrilla movements against the Pakistani state, contrary to claims by their families.
Chief Minister Bugti announced that the government has finalized plans to tackle the missing persons’ issue, including the formation of a parliamentary committee dedicated to its resolution.
He said that independence for Balochistan cannot be achieved through violence, nor can violence resolve the region’s challenges. According to him, the parliamentary process, not armed conflict, has consistently upheld Balochistan’s rights.
In addition, he pledged a donation of 50,000 rupees to the Turbat Press Club and the construction of a new building for the institution.