As part of the ongoing political reconciliation in
Balochistan, more than 300 suspected militants laid down arms before the
government and security forces on Saturday.
The Ferraris
who reportedly belonged to various banned militant groups surrendered
before Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Commander
Southern Command Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa during a ceremony held at the
Balochistan Assembly hall.
Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and other high-level officials were also present on the occasion.
The suspected militants, including 17 commanders, vowed to work for peace and development of the country while laying down arms.
Waving
Pakistani flags during the ceremony, the Ferraris said they were misled
by some elements to serve their personal agendas at the cost of poor
people.
Appreciating the surrender, Chief Minister Zehri said peace and reconciliation process would continue despite all odds.
"We welcome you all," he told the crowd.
Zehri said the country has a "big heart" to accept those whose hands were coloured with the blood of innocent people.
"Now it is your turn to struggle for stability and development of the country," he said.
The
Ferraris who gave up their weapons were involved in subversive
activities for more than a decade in various parts of Balochistan,
security officials who declined to be named told DawnNews.
"Some
elements were threatening us not to surrender," Dur Muhammad, a former
militant from Naseerabad said. Another militant commander from Harnai
also shared the same information.
The Balochistan reconciliation process was launched by former chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch a few years ago.
The
largest province of the country by area, Balochistan is home to a
low-level insurgency by ethnic Baloch separatists. Militants linked to
domestic and foreign terrorist groups also operate in the region.
The province shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran.
