KARACHI: Citing it as a major development in the fight against terrorism, Balochistan said on Wednesday that more than 265 militants had surrendered to the government which is currently home to the country’s most prestigious project -- the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“It’s a major development that former militants have surrendered in such a large number,” Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Information Minister of Balochistan province, told Arab News.

Buledi added that among those who had surrendered in Balochistan’s capital, Quetta, included important commanders from various outlawed organizations, bringing the number of those who had laid down their arms to 2,000 since 2015. The militants have reportedly pledged to work for the betterment and progress of the province.

“We will see more surrenders in future due to the efforts of government and law enforcement agencies,” Buledi said.

He added that the provincial government would continue to play its role in creating an environment which would encourage “more surrenders in the future and ultimately lead to complete peace in the province”.

Buledi said plans are in place to achieve these objectives “by developing a sense of ownership and removing the feelings of deprivation from the people, especially those who have opted for anti-state activities”. This can be achieved by providing the people with basic necessities such as better education, healthcare, roads and infrastructure, electricity and employment opportunities. “We are committed towards making Balochistan the most developed province,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News on April 7, Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, the-then chief minister of Balochistan and current speaker of the provincial assembly, had said that his party would lodge a “well-planned request to disgruntled leaders” to return to the country.

Balochistan, in southwestern Pakistan, has faced a wave of violence from armed Baloch separatist groups in the past decade. The province is growing in strategic importance because of the CPEC project worth $62 billion.

With Khan of Kalat Mir Suleman Dawood Jan operating as a central figure, Balochistan’s other self-exiled leaders include Brahamdagh Bugti, the grandson of late Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and head of the Balochistan Republican Party (BRP); Javed Mengal, son of Sardar Attaullah Mengal and head of Lashkar-e-Balochistan; and Mehran Marri, son of Khair Bux Marri and leader of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Dr Allah Nazar, the most active of the separatists and leader of the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), is rumored to operate from a hidden location in the province.

Talking about the unsuccessful efforts of his predecessors to engage the separatists in peace talks, former CM Bizenjo said: “All of them had met the separatist leaders in their personal capacity and no one from the government had approached them with proper planning,” he said.

“Many people have surrendered and joined the national mainstream. A lot of homework has been done. Most of the Baloch leadership abroad has never been part of violence, while those having cases against them will have to face the court,” he said.

“The people of Balochistan want to remain with Pakistan. They want to fight for their rights within the constitutional limits of Pakistan. We are not for taking up arms and causing damage to the entire Baloch nation,” the incumbent speaker had said at the time.