Quetta: Balochistan Interior Minister Mirziaullah Longo called for peace and development in Balochistan, emphasizing the need to move past the politics of protest and hatred. In a recent video statement, he appealed to the residents of Gwadar and the wider region to focus on progress and reject disruptive actions, reflecting on recent protests and the government’s response to them.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Balochistan, Longo discussed the recent protests in Quetta and Gwadar, noting that while the provincial government supports peaceful protests, it had to contend with vandalism disguised as demonstrations. He highlighted that negotiations were held in Gwadar under the supervision of the Chief Minister and involved various party representatives, including Maulana Hadahat-ur-Rehman, a member of the Provincial Assembly.

The minister praised the patience of the government amidst the unrest and mentioned that all arrested individuals were released as a result of the negotiations. However, he expressed frustration that the sit-in continued despite a written agreement to cease. Longo also accused external forces, specifically India, of attempting to disrupt the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, which he described as crucial for the region’s development.

In his statement, Longo affirmed that Balochistan’s future is inseparably linked to Pakistan’s prosperity and stressed the importance of unity and education in overcoming challenges posed by external adversaries.