ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik Saturday said that key Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti had a soft corner for Pakistan, and that he was welcome to return at anytime on his own terms. The interior minister further said that the government was also prepared to send an envoy of his choice to carry out negotiations.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference on Saturday, Rehman Malik disclosed that Bugti was now living as Ibraheem, and that his party had no militant wing and was simply a political party.

“Now Brahamdagh should disown his deputy, who is operating from Kandahar and is involved in militant activities in Balochistan. We are willing to extend friendship to his deputy also, if he wants to return to home,” offered the minister.

He also said that stringent measures were being taken at all levels to curb terrorism in Balochistan, and that agencies should not be blamed for the lawlessness and anarchy prevailing in the province. “We also have complete details about the activities of BLA and other terrorist groups,” he added.

Malik also appealed to Nawab Attaullah Mengal and his son Akhtar Mengal to join the dialogue process, and promised that their reservations would be addressed.

In response to a question, Rehman Malik said it was possible that certain segments of the Balochi youth were involved in objectionable activities because of circumstantial compulsion, but offered to reach out and mainstream them. He asked the estranged Baloch youth to return to Pakistan and promised that the government would provide jobs for them.

He also said that the people of Balochistan wanted to live with Pakistan and that the disgruntled youth should return and reconcile with the rest of the country. Malik concluded by saying that the cabinet committee intended to visit Balochistan from Tuesday, and that no military operations would be conducted in the province from now onwards. However, those involved in disrupting peace would not be spared, he warned.