More than 300 Baloch militants lay down arms

More than 300 Baloch separatist militants have surrendered over the past few months, Pakistani government officials said after a ceremony to mark the downing of guns and the militants’ return to civilian life.

The surrenders are part of government efforts to end a decade-long insurgency in the south-west province of Balochistan by offering amnesties and financial rewards to soldiers and commanders to help them reintegrate into society.

In a high-profile ceremony on the lawn of the Balochistan provincial assembly in the western city of Quetta, the regional capital, about 313 militants from three separatist movements handed over weapons to Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, the chief minister of the province.

“I will hug all who believe in integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan but will not tolerate [those] who will challenge the writ of the state,” Mr Zehri said.

Pakistani government officials say about 2,000 militants have surrendered over the past 18 months. In April, the government held a similar ceremony where about 400 militants handed over their guns. In the latest ceremony, 143 militants from the Baloch Republican Army, 125 from the Baloch Liberation Army and 17 from Baloch Liberation Front surrendered, officials said.

Under the agreement, foot soldiers are given 500,000 rupees (Dh17,355) and top-level commanders receive about 1 million rupees to help them and their families build a life after militancy.

Balochistan’s government and the powerful army, which has a huge say in the running of Pakistan’s poorest province, tout the amnesties as an effective way to reduce the power of separatists who accuse Islamabad of exploiting Balochistan.

While security has improved in Balochistan over the past few years, critics and human rights groups say the army has crushed dissent and free speech, while separatists accuse security officials of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. The military denies abuse claims.

Pakistan’s desire to dismantle the insurgencies has grown in urgency amid vast Chinese investment from Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure splurge.