APROOS of Shehar Bano Khan’s article, ‘The displaced Baloch’ (April 6), regarding the atrocities committed in Balochistan, I agree with the writer that Balochistan has remained a victimised province.
If one takes a glance at the 60-year history of Pakistan, one comes to know that the Baloch have not been allowed by the establishment to use their own resources.
Since the inception of Pakistan, they have been enduring atrocities at the hands of the establishment, sometimes in the form of operations launched in 1948, 1958, 1963, 1973, 2005 and the one still going on in the area of Dera Bugti and Kohlu which already have done considerable damage.
According to an estimate, 20,000 Baloch have been displaced and marooned. Though Balochistan has a lot of natural resources, it is still deprived of them. For instance, gas was discovered in 1953 and supplied to Punjab in 1964. Balochistan got it in 1986 because the army camps came to be stationed there. This shows the highest amount of bias for the Baloch people and Balochistan.
In addition, 18 most deprived districts belong to Balochistan, including the gold producer districts of Chaghi and Awaran, which are so far deprived of basic amenities such as electricity and clean drinking water.
Perhaps one can’t imagine life without these amenities in the 21st century. The Musharraf regime committed more atrocities on the Baloch during his eight-year tenure. Today many Baloch politicians and activists are behind bars, while the missing Baloch youth number more than 7,000.
Prime Minister Gilani and Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani should pay heed to the province’s grievances and take prompt action to halt the ongoing operation, release the prisoners and compensate the displaced persons. What happened to the apologies offered to the Baloch before the formation of the government?
AZUM BALOCH
Kech
http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/24/letted.htm#4 |
