QUETTA - Over 300 Ferraris and 17 militant commanders of various proscribed militant organisations on Saturday capitulated under ‘Peaceful Balochistan Policy’ before the government and the security officials in Quetta.
The militants handed over their arms to Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanauallah Zehri in a ceremony held at the Balochistan Assembly lawn where extraordinary security measures were undertaken and additional police and Frontier Corps personnel were deployed to avert any untoward incident.
Southern Command Commander Lt-Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti and other high civil and military officials were also present.
The chief minister gave Rs 100,000 to each Ferrari when they surrendered their weapons. He also promised to give them more perks. National flags and bouquets were also presented to the militants who joined the national mainstream.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri extended wholehearted greetings to the militants for renouncing subversive activities.
“The dissenters themselves are living a luxurious life in England and Switzerland and their children are getting education in Oxford University and other renowned academic institutes, but they were persuading youth of the province to carry guns in the name of liberty,” regretted Nawab Zehri.
The chief minister went on to say that those misguiding youth in the name of liberation had devastated their entire generation. He warned the enemies of peace and anti-state elements wouldn’t be allowed to continue this bloody path. He lamented some elements were killing innocent people and fooling them for personal gains. These militants for years caused irreparable damage to Balochistan by targeting innocent masses and security forces, he regretted.
“Tell your acquaintances to accept the state writ,” he said, adding the government was capable enough of kicking them out if they failed to do so. The chief minister clarified no leniency would be shown to those challenging the writ of the state and targeting civilians as well personnel of security forces in the province.
“Pakistan is our country and we will struggle for our rights within the constitutional framework. The provincial autonomy in the shape of 18th Amendment is the outcome of our 70-year struggle,” said Sanaullah Zehri.
“The Balochistan civil-military leadership welcomes those giving up arms and entering the national mainstream,” he concluded.
Ferrari commanders who surrendered their arms admitted that they were hoodwinked and pushed towards aimless war which left them backward.
As many as 313 Ferraris laid down their arms at a ceremony at Balochistan Assembly lawn.
“Now we will play our role for prosperity and development of Pakistan and Balochistan after entering into national mainstream,” three Ferrari commanders expressed their resolve. The militants were operatives of outlawed BLA, BRA and BLF. On the occasion during the ceremony, school students recited national anthem and sung national songs.
The Ferraris 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.
The Ferraris who gave up their weapons were involved in subversive activities for more than a decade in various parts of Balochistan, said security officials who declined to be named.
"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.