Islamabad, Apr 10: The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mohammad Aslam Raisani, has sought the federal government’s help in securing the immediate release of ‘missing persons,’ an issue which he said was fast pushing the country towards civil war.

The Daily Times quoted Raisani as saying that the federal government must rein in intelligence agencies and release all detained ‘missing persons’.

“No state in the world terrorises its citizens, as has been happening in Pakistan,” he said.

Raisani warned that if the smaller provinces’ sense of deprivation were not converted into a sense of participation, it would be difficult to keep the federation intact.

In his maiden speech as Chief Minister, Raisani reiterated his resolve to bring peace to Balochistan by holding talks with armed Baloch nationalists.

He defended the militants, saying that they had been estranged by the ‘wrong policies’ of the previous government.

Raisani said that the Balochs are not terrorists and they were fighting for their just rights, and added that the government will initiate talks with them.

He also asked the nationalists to respect the reconciliation process that would be launched.

“We will no longer allow the blowing up of gas pipelines, railway tracks and target killings. We won’t use force against anyone now. All issues will be resolved peacefully by dialogue,” he added. (ANI)