Demand for free Balochistan can be withdrawn: Brahamdagh

LONDON: Brahamdagh Bugti, the self-exiled grandson of former chief minister and governor of Balochistan Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, said on Wednesday that he was ready to withdraw his demand for an independent Balochistan if the people of the province wanted.
In an interview with BBC Urdu, Bugti, who has earlier been adamant on waging an insurgency for the separation of Balochistan, said he was willing to come to the negotiating table if “our friends, comrades, political allies, and majority of the people wanted to remain within Pakistan.”
He also said that he and his party were in a continuous struggle for the betterment of his people and he might withdraw his demand of a free Balochistan for the sake of his people.
He didn’t confirm any contacts from Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is on a visit to the UK. Bugti said he wanted to resolve all the issues politically and peacefully.
“We are ready if he wants to meet us as we are politicians who seek political solutions to issues. It will be foolishness on our part if we refuse somebody’s offer to sit on the negotiating table with us,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has also welcomed the statement of Brahamdagh and showed its willingness to hold talks with all the angry Baloch leaders, including Brahamdagh.
A spokesman for the Balochistan government stated that they were ready for negotiations for a peaceful Balochistan at all levels as the Balochistan issue could only be solved on the table and through dialogue.