Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui has stated that during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, the situation in Balochistan was not as dire, and terrorism in the country had nearly been eradicated.

He lamented that even after the APS tragedy, the National Action Plan was not fully implemented.

Commenting on the recent Jaffar Express attack, Siddiqui remarked that when a train is hijacked, politicians cannot intervene directly — only security forces can take action.

Speaking on Aaj TV’s programme “Spotlight” with host Munizae Jahangir, he emphasised that if an opportunity for negotiations with Baloch separatists arises, it should be taken.

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He urged major political parties to come together on the Balochistan issue and engage in dialogue.

Siddiqui also advised Baloch democratic forces to align themselves with national democratic movements rather than external influences.

He stressed that they should stand with patriotic forces, regardless of their alignment with the government, but must remain committed to the country.

Dr Malik calls for dialogue

National Party chief and former Balochistan chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch condemned the Jaffar Express attack, calling it a national tragedy.

He denounced the killing of innocent people and highlighted that the issue of missing persons remains a major crisis.

He argued that merely increasing the number of security forces would not resolve Balochistan’s problems; instead, negotiations were essential.

Dr Malik criticised both Islamabad’s and Balochistan’s elites, stating that their mindset remains unchanged, and they wrongly believe that military force alone can solve the crisis.

He pointed out that the situation has been deteriorating for over two decades, yet no serious efforts have been made to find a political solution.

The former chief minister emphasised the need to recover missing persons, provide employment opportunities to Baloch youth on merit, and bring both separatists and the establishment to the negotiating table. He warned that violence and bloodshed would only worsen the crisis.

Dr Malik urged the government to improve Balochistan’s infrastructure and ensure free and fair elections so that genuine representatives of the people enter the provincial assembly.

He cautioned that failure to do so would only deepen public resentment and alienation.

He further lamented that the situation in Balochistan is deteriorating daily, yet no one in power is paying attention. Several internal routes in the province have been blocked for months, leaving the local population abandoned.

Dr Malik also warned that Baloch separatist movements have expanded across the province and reiterated that negotiations are the only way forward.

Expressing disappointment with major political parties, he accused them of compromising on Balochistan’s issues and failing to take meaningful action.