THE state cannot be seen to use coercion as a means to establish its writ or force their own citizens to submit to rule of law, while the establishment itself resorts to abuse of Constitution. Whatever the provocation, the resort to force in Balochistan is regrettable. It is tragic that we as a nation have not learnt any lessons from the series of events that led to dismemberment of our country in 1971.
The people of Balochistan have not had a fair share of what should rightly be theirs. Years of neglect by the state and lack of education have only further strengthened the treacherous role of local Sardars. It is the duty of the state to provide education, health and bare minimum essentials like clean drinking water to its citizens.
For decades the citizens have been denied their role in running the affairs of state through their chosen representatives. This right has been denied to all the provinces, including Punjab. It is time that Pakistan, which was established through a constitutional political struggle, be allowed to function as a democratic welfare country, the way its founding fathers had visualized it. The form of government has to be that which the Quaid had desired, otherwise we as nation have a dark and bleak future.
The people of Balochistan have had their share of employment in federal government and state-run enterprises denied by a corrupt bureaucracy, through issuance of bogus domicile certificates. An independent analysis of all semi-autonomous corporations would reveal that those who have resorted to this massive abuse are not the residents of Punjab, but residents of a major urban centre of another province.
Blaming the people of Punjab for all the ills of Balochistan is, therefore, not correct. After all, it was not a Punjabi at the helm when military action was resorted to against the people of East Pakistan or the people of Balochistan. The people of Pakistan have been wronged by those who have misgoverned it. It is ironic that that those who should have been the servants of the people have assumed for themselves a role which is unconstitutional and hence illegal.
Power must rest with the people of Pakistan who alone through their elected representatives must decide what is in the national interest. The people of Punjab must raise their voice in support of the legitimate demands of their brethren living in Balochistan.
Via Mail
M. T. ALI
Lahore |
