DPM Dar meets Baloch leaders, reaffirms commitment to address Balochistan issues | The Express Tribune

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday reiterated that the federal government was committed to addressing the challenges faced by the people of Balochistan and helping them achieve their legitimate aspirations for economic prosperity and development within the framework of the Constitution.

DPM Dar made the remarks during a meeting with National Party President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, who was accompanied by parliamentary members of his party, according to a press release issued by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office.

Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah Khan and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa also attended the meeting.

Read: Judicial commission formed to probe Ziarat incident: CM Bugti

Dr Baloch thanked the deputy prime minister for the meeting and said the National Party was willing to work with all stakeholders for the betterment and welfare of the people of Balochistan.

He said certain elements operating in the province neither had public support nor legitimacy among the people of Balochistan.

The meeting came a day after the Balochistan government formed a commission to investigate the Ziarat incident following an agreement reached between the government and protesters.

At least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were killed in the attack in the Ziarat area of Balochistan, where security forces engaged terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan.

Following the incident, protesters staged a sit-in demanding justice for the victims, accountability for those responsible and stronger measures to improve public security.

After more than eight days of the sit-in, the Balochistan government and the protest committee reached a written agreement following days of tense negotiations. The issue was resolved through reconciliation efforts led by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.