In Balochistan, more than 100 militants give up and become part of the mainstream.

Authorities in Sui, Balochistan, confirmed Saturday that more than 100 armed militants, including a top leader of a banned group, had turned themselves in. The government claims that the militants surrendered their weapons, swore loyalty to Pakistan, and assimilated into society. During the event, Mir Aftab Ahmed Bugti received the weapons of Commander Wadera Noor Ali Chakarani and his colleagues. Mir Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister of Balochistan, welcomed the commander and everyone who made the decision to resume a peaceful life. He described Wadera Noor Ali Chakarani’s and more than 100 of his friends’ choice to become citizens as “highly commendable” and a step in the right direction for the area. The Chief Minister said, “These men raised Pakistan’s flag and began their journey towards peace,” sending a strong message that the government never closed the door to communication. Sarfraz Bugti underlined that while intelligence-based operations against anti-state elements are ongoing throughout Balochistan, individuals who give up violence and embrace the Pakistani Constitution will be welcomed. He issued a warning, saying, “Anyone who interprets the state’s leniency as weakness will be pursued until the very end.” The province government thinks that by encouraging more armed groups to reevaluate militancy and assimilate into society, the mass surrender will bolster peace efforts in Sui and the surrounding districts. In an area plagued by insurgency for a long time, authorities celebrated the occasion as another step toward stability.