Former militant commander Noor Khan Bugti surrenders, rejoins national mainstream along with 60 associates and family members
DERA BUGTI, In a significant development for peace and stability in Balochistan, former militant commander Noor Khan Bugti surrendered before Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti at Pakistan House Sui on Sunday and formally rejoined the national mainstream along with his associates and family members, bringing the total number of individuals returning to the fold of the state to 60.
The development came during an open public forum (Khuli Kachehri) held by the chief minister in Sui, where Noor Khan Bugti and his companions laid down their arms and pledged allegiance to Pakistan. They also took an oath of loyalty to the country, signalling their commitment to abandoning violence and embracing a peaceful life under the constitutional framework of the state, a CM’s Secretariat news release said.
According to officials, Noor Khan Bugti had remained in hiding in the mountains for the past two decades and had been involved in various militant activities. Following his return to the national mainstream, he and his family are expected to settle in Sui, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
The surrender is being viewed as an important step towards improving the security situation in the region and strengthening efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in Dera Bugti and other parts of Balochistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that loyalty to the State of Pakistan, adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law, and national unity constituted the foundations of sustainable peace and development. He emphasized that establishing law and order and ensuring lasting stability across Balochistan and the country remained a national responsibility, adding that recognising the authority of the state and abandoning the path of violence were essential for those seeking to return to normal life.
The chief minister said Pakistan was the shared homeland of all its citizens and that no compromise could be made on its security, sovereignty and stability. He maintained that only by standing with the state could the protection of life and property, economic development, educational progress and a brighter future for the younger generation be guaranteed.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti said violence and unrest could never provide a permanent solution to problems, stressing that the path to national development and prosperity lay through peace, mutual trust, the rule of law and collective efforts. He noted that the people of Balochistan desired peace, progress and prosperity and urged the province’s youth to utilise their abilities and energies for national development and contribute positively to the country’s growth.
He further stated that the decision to rejoin the national mainstream and align with the state would not only benefit the individuals concerned but would also have positive implications for their families and the future of the region. The chief minister added that while state institutions were fulfilling their responsibilities to establish enduring peace in Balochistan, cooperation from all segments of society was equally important for achieving the shared goals of national unity, legal compliance and development.
The surrender of Noor Khan Bugti and dozens of his associates is being regarded as a notable milestone in ongoing efforts to strengthen peace, reinforce state authority and encourage reconciliation in Balochistan.