Bilawal calls for dialogue, united response to address Balochistan crisis

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday reiterated that political dialogue was the only viable solution to Balochistan’s challenges, calling for a united national response to terrorism and stressing the need to engage all political stakeholders, regardless of whether they were in the government or opposition.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti at the Zardari House, where the two leaders reviewed the province’s political, administrative and security situation, with particular focus on the recent wave of terrorism.

Reaffirming the PPP’s stance against militancy, Bilawal said the party had consistently opposed terrorism in all its forms and would continue to stand like a “wall of steel” against the menace. He also paid tribute to the personnel of armed forces, Frontier Corps and police who had embraced martyrdom while combating terrorism and expressed solidarity with the families who had lost their loved ones.

During the meeting, Bugti briefed the PPP chairman on the security challenges and recent terrorist incidents in the province. He said the provincial government had taken measures to support the families affected by the Ziarat tragedy and had addressed their concerns. The chief minister informed Bilawal that in line with the victims’ families’ demand, the provincial government had constituted a judicial commission to investigate the Ziarat tragedy.

Bugti also announced that an All Parties Conference (APC) on peace and security in Balochistan would be convened soon, with invitations to be extended to political parties both inside and outside parliament.

Bilawal appreciated the Balochistan chief minister’s efforts to address the grievances of Ziarat tragedy victims and facilitate dialogue, while also acknowledging the constructive role played by opposition parties in ensuring the success of the negotiations.