QUETTA, (DNA) : Around 202 militants along with commanders surrendered their arms to the provincial authorities and joined mainstream on Monday in Quetta.

A ceremony was held honoring the act by the militants who laid down arms at the Chief Minister Secretariat.

During the ceremony, the militants waved national flag and presented their weapons to Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri.

Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Aamir Riaz, IG FC Major General Sher Afgan and other provincial ministers were also present along with political and tribal leaders.

At the occasion, the CM Balochistan also distributed cheques among the militants.

In his address, Spokesman Balochistan government Anwarul Haq Kakar said that under the peaceful Balochistan programme, people are being brought into mainstream.

“Up till now around 800 people have laid down arms,” he added.Chief Minister said that so called nationalist leaders living in Europe misguided Baloch youth to take up arm against the state.

“So called nationalists living in Europe and enjoying luxury life misguided our youth to go on mountains and take arm against the state,” he said.

He said that he welcomed those who have left armed movement, surrendered to the government and vowed to become part of mainstream and to remain loyal to Pakistan.

“I welcome those who have surrendered,” he said.“The so called nationalist leaders living abroad have their hidden
agenda of making people fight their brothers in Balochistan in the name of so called freedom fight,” the Chief Minister said.

He said that innocent people were used in the name of so called freedom fight.“We have vowed that we would continue our efforts to get durable peace for people of Balochistan,” he said.

Commander Southern Command, Lt Gen Aamir Riaz said that Pakistan and its province, Balochistan have been facing challenge of terrorism.

The 202 militants who laid down arms included 75 people belonging from Afghanistan.=DNA

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