JI, Punjab govt agree on peaceful long march

LAHORE: The two-day negotiations between Jamaat-e-Islami and the Punjab government have concluded successfully on Wednesday and it has been mutually agreed that participants of the Haq Do Balochistan Long March will stage a protest and set up a camp in front of the Lahore Press Club.

During this period, a high-level federal government committee will engage in formal talks with Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan Emir, Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, and his team regarding the demands of the march. The announcement was made during a joint press conference addressed by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Naib Emir Liaqat Baloch and Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb. They were joined by Jamaat’s Secretary General Ameerul Azeem, Emir of Balochistan Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, Provincial Ministers Salman Rafique and Sohail Bhatti, along with JI Punjab Central Emir Javed Kasuri and Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari.

Liaqat Baloch declared that Jamaat-e-Islami and the people of Punjab stand firmly with the people of Balochistan and will not compromise on their constitutional rights.

Punjab’s Senior Minister, Maryam Aurangzeb stated that a high-powered federal committee — comprising Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi, Jam Kamal, Atta Tarar, PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, Federal Interior Secretary, and Special Secretary — will lead the negotiations. She said that a delegation headed by Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman will meet the federal committee in Islamabad and that the Punjab government will act as a facilitator throughout the process. She conveyed Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s gratitude to JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, Liaqat Baloch, Ameerul Azeem, and Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, and assured that the Punjab government fully supports the legitimate demands of the people of Balochistan. Maryam Aurangzeb also apologized for the difficulties faced by the marchers upon entering Punjab and pledged that the provincial government will ensure dignified treatment and hospitality for all participants as guests of the province.

Baloch expressed hope that Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who had previously raised her voice for Balochistan’s missing persons while in opposition, would continue that commitment as chief minister. He reiterated Jamaat-e-Islami’s call for a political solution to national issues and emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive national dialogue.

Jamaat Secretary General Ameerul Azeem added that the party stands with the people of Balochistan and stressed that granting their rights is the only path to lasting peace. Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman said that the people of Balochistan seek peace, recognition of their right to provincial resources, legalization of cross-border trade, an end to humiliation in the name of security, and the release of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other detainees. He expressed hope that the government would respond positively to these constitutional and democratic demands.