Exiled Baloch activist Brahumdagh Bugti to get Indian citizenship: Pakistan media

Islamabad: Exiled Baloch activist Brahumdagh Bugti will soon be granted Indian citizenship after long term negotiations with Indian authorities, Pakistani media, Geo News has reported.

The report also states that India will provide citizenship to Bugti's trusted aides in Switzerland including Sher Muhammad Bugti and Azizullah Bugti.

Moreover, the officials talks between Bugti and Indian authorities began earlier this year. And, recently Bugti had called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in Balochistan issue, highlighting the human rights abuses there.

"We will use Indian papers to travel around the world to campaign against Pakistan and to highlight our case. We have openly thanked Narendra Modi for his support and we are no more hiding anything. We have no other option. We do not care what our opponents think of our support for Modi and his support for us," a source close to Bugti's party was quoted as saying in a report.

"Everything is agreed and settled between the Indian government and Brahumdagh. He will submit his official request to the Indian mission in Geneva after getting endorsement from his party," the source told Geo News.

The sources also added that Bugti will formally apply for Indian citizenship after a meeting with his party members in Geneva on September 18th and 19th.

Bugti had in the past applied for Switzerland citizenship, but it was rejected by the government. Thereafter, he applied for an Indian citizenship after realising that he might not get a Swiss passport.

Brahamdagh Bugti is the grandson of influential Baloch politician, late Akbar Khan Bugti. He is also the founder and leader of the Baloch Republican Party that has been banned by Pakistan.