Najam Sethi, senior
journalist
By Farah Zia & Waqar Gillani
Q and A
TNS: How do you look at
Akhtar Mengal’s visit to Pakistan? Was it a consequence of some
back-channel talks?
NS: Mengal could not have
come here without getting a nod from the guerrilla leaders of the insurgency
in exile, people like Hyrbyair Marri etc.
He would also have received assurances from Nawaz Sharif, the Supreme Court and the military that he would be given an opportunity to explore solutions and make his statement.
The assurances from the army would have amounted to something like this: participate in elections, we will help create space for you, if you leash the guerillas.
While he was here, there was not a word out of the Baloch leadership in exile; they could have immediately denounced him as a turncoat but they didn’t. He came, did his thing and off he went because he knew this was a small window and he could not afford any misunderstanding. I think the biggest encouragement was from Nawaz Sharif and the CJP.
He would also have received assurances from Nawaz Sharif, the Supreme Court and the military that he would be given an opportunity to explore solutions and make his statement.
The assurances from the army would have amounted to something like this: participate in elections, we will help create space for you, if you leash the guerillas.
While he was here, there was not a word out of the Baloch leadership in exile; they could have immediately denounced him as a turncoat but they didn’t. He came, did his thing and off he went because he knew this was a small window and he could not afford any misunderstanding. I think the biggest encouragement was from Nawaz Sharif and the CJP.
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