Nawaz Sharif calls for political solution to Balochistan crisis

Punjab: Pakistan Muslim League N (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has stressed the need for a political resolution to the ongoing unrest in Balochistan, pledging to play an active role in fostering peace in the province, Dawn reported.

Sharif made the remarks during a meeting with National Party President and former Balochistan chief minister Abdul Malik Baloch at his Jati Umra residence on Wednesday. The meeting came a day after Army Chief Asim Munir assured foreign investors of strong security measures in the mineral-rich province amid growing instability.

During the meeting, Sharif and Baloch discussed the national political situation, with particular focus on Balochistan. According to Baloch, “I will soon visit Balochistan to meet the [angry] people there. The issue of Balochistan is political and must be resolved through political means,” Sharif was quoted as saying.

Baloch said Sharif assured him that he would personally take interest in the matters of Balochistan. “I told Sharif that his role is crucial given the current situation in Balochistan. We held an in-depth discussion on the political affairs of the province. There is an ongoing sit-in in Balochistan, and many people are imprisoned. Nawaz Sharif should play his part in resolving these issues,” he said. “Nawaz Sharif assured that he would play his political and democratic role in promoting peace in Balochistan.”

The reference was to the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) protest sit-in, led by Sardar Akhtar Mengal, against the arrest of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders and activists, including Mahrang Baloch, and the police action during their demonstration in Quetta.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said that Baloch had requested Nawaz Sharif to play an active role in resolving Balochistan’s issues. (IANS)

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