KARACHI: Newly elected Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti has again called on Baloch separatists to leave the violence and return to their homes. He promised that his government would grant full amnesty to all militants who lay down their arms. “We are calling on those who retreated to the mountains to return. I hereby declare a general amnesty for those returning from the mountains,” Bugti said on Sunday during a press conference after visiting the Father of the Nation mausoleum in Karachi.
He said that the people of Balochistan hold Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in high esteem and therefore felt it necessary to pay homage at his mausoleum after assuming the office of Chief Minister of Balochistan. Bugti said that ensuring peace and security in Balochistan remains a significant challenge. “PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is serious about the problems facing the province,” added Bugti, who is from the PPP. He noted that the PPP had also raised concerns over alleged rigging in certain areas during the February 8 elections.
He, however, condemned JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statement regarding people losing faith in the newly elected parliament. “Maulana’s party permanently secured 8 seats from Balochistan. Maulana Sahib lost from his own constituency in Dera Ismail Khan,” he said. Bugti said he had visited Gwadar, where heavy rains had caused significant damage last week, before arriving in Karachi. “I put the chief secretary there. We are trying to clear all the accumulated water in the city by Monday (today),” he assured.
Bugti, during his earlier visit to Gwadar, instructed the administration to continue rescue and rehabilitation operations for the affected people and ensure speedy drainage of rainwater from the affected areas. This directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by Bugti. Acknowledging the unprecedented situation caused by the incessant rains in Gwadar, he assured that the government would provide all necessary assistance to the victims. He directed the concerned departments to speed up rehabilitation and relief in rain-affected areas to protect lives and property.
Makran Division Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Umrani and Deputy Commissioner Kech Aurangzeb Badini informed that around 187 mm rainfall was recorded in the area during the recent period. They said families affected by the torrential rain were immediately shifted to safer places and provided with necessary assistance, including rations. The Chief Minister lauded the quick rescue action taken by the authorities and directed them to continue their efforts till normalcy is restored in the area.
