QUETTA(National Times)- Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has asked elements involved in violence and acts of terrorism in the province to abandon their path of violence, return to the national mainstream and hold talks with the government to resolve the problems facing the people of the province.

He rejected the impression that Balochistan was moving away from the country, saying those who believed that terrorist elements could break the country through violence were living in “a fool’s paradise”.

The chief minister was speaking at a flag-hoisting ceremony held here on Friday to mark the Independence Day.

He said the people of Balochistan were patriotic and this had been proved by their participation in Independence Day celebrations in the province.

Mr Bugti said the doors of the government were open to discussing and resolving the issues facing the people of Balochistan.

“No ideology can be imposed through the barrel of the gun,” Mr Bugti said, adding that terrorists had pushed the Baloch into a futile conflict and they must abandon that destructive path.

He said the government was always ready for legitimate political engagement and dialogue, but negotiations could not be held with those elements involved in the killing of innocent people.