ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday endorsed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s potential role in negotiations to address Balochistan’s decades-old grievances, urging inclusive dialogue with provincial leaders and activists to resolve longstanding tensions.
In an interview with a private television channel, Asif emphasized that traditional Baloch leadership must be central to any resolution. “Problems are resolved through negotiations everywhere in the world,” he said, naming provincial minister Sarfaraz Bugti and former chief minister Dr. Abdul Malik as key figures who could facilitate talks.
Asif confirmed Sharif, who is currently advised to rest for health reasons, expressed willingness to engage after Eid. The minister also referenced his own 2021 diplomatic trip to Kabul, lamenting deteriorated Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and attributing recent terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to militants operating from Afghan soil. “Both governments must take extraordinary steps to improve the situation,” he added.
Also read: Security forces thwart multiple militant attacks across Balochistan
Separately, PML-N Vice President Khurram Dastgir stated Sharif had privately advocated for dialogue in Balochistan. Meanwhile, the government accepted Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s offer to mediate with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), though Asif blamed PTI for boycotting a proposed National Security Committee (NSC) meeting.
“If Bilawal succeeds in reconvening the NSC, it would be significant,” Asif said, underscoring cross-party efforts to stabilize regional security.
