IN a significant development for the peace and stability of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bangulzai, the key commander of the banned militant organization Baloch National Army (BNA) Wednesday surrendered along with 70 of his associates. This comes at the heels of the recent arrest and mainstreaming of Gulzar Imam Shambay, the former head of BNA.
We are confident that this accommodative approach of mainstreaming the estranged Baloch leaders will bode well for the future of Balochistan. It is crucial to recognize the genuine grievances of disgruntled Baloch individuals and work seriously towards their inclusion in the national mainstream. The state’s commitment to addressing the root causes of discontent and providing a platform for dialogue and reconciliation is essential for fostering lasting peace and development in the province and it is encouraging to see the state institutions are working towards that end. We have no doubt in saying that the country’s development is linked to peace and progress of Balochistan. Only through peace in the province can the potential of its strategic location and vast natural resources be fully exploited for the benefit of the entire country. However, it is important to recognize that the first beneficiaries of this progress should be the people of the province. India will always try to disrupt this process as was also evident from Bangulzai’s revelations who, at a news conference, stated that India is funding terrorism in Balochistan. Whilst we have no doubt on the capability of our security forces to foil the enemy’s sordid designs, Bangulzai’s revelation should serve as a wake-up call for the international community. India’s extraterritorial actions and interference in the affairs of sovereign nations are no longer a secret now. The recent incidents, including the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada and the foiling of a plot to assassinate another Sikh leader in the United States, highlight the urgency of reining in India’s aggressive tactics. The global community must take firm action against India, rising above political and economic expediencies. It is time for the world to unite against such interventions, safeguarding the principles of sovereignty and international peace.
