Dr. Farrukh F. Khan
The decision to establish cantonments in Balochistan was basically taken in order to facilitate the ongoing development work across the province, from Gwadar to Chaman. It has been a norm in the rest of the world for the government to use its right to establish cantonments wherever that is deemed necessary. In Pakistan too, the state can acquire land under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, as and when deemed necessary, by following land acquisition procedures. The government has met all of these requirements. New roads are being constructed, new water channels dug, and transmission lines are laid on the lands of people and this required work should not be denied because it is only the state that knows as when and what is required from the point of view of development and security, and in the interest of the public.
Cantonments are required to ensure the integrity and sovereignty of the country to move, assemble, and reinforce troops quickly to primarily protect the frontiers, but also to protect vital economic assets, and to ensure the protection of strategically significant places, especially those having linkage with the economic interests and assets of the state. Sui not only holds particular significance because of gas reserves, but also because of its critical strategic location, as the international border lies towards its southeast. The government completed all the formalities while acquiring 200 acres of land in Sui from the Bugti tribe earlier, while another 200 acres are being acquired under the same procedures. However, Sardar Akbar Bugti has contrarily attempted to create various hurdles to deny the acquisition of land for the cantonment there and continues to create problems by using his armed tribesmen to resist the forces of the state.
The government has also acquired 196 acres of land in Kohlu, an area where the Marri tribe dwells. The area, once the development is complete, in due course of time, is bound to turn into a vital economic hub, which will not only pay dividends to the province, but benefit the entire country. There are other compelling strategic reasons for keeping and maintaining troops in the area.
Gwadar is peopled to the extent of 95 percent by the Baloch Maid tribe and 5 percent by the Rais tribe. The Corps Headquarters examined various options during the selection of a cantonment site at Gwadar and has undertaken the spadework required. Once this new seaport is complete, it will turn into a gigantic economic asset. But the port needs to be protected due to its economic and strategic significance, so the establishment of a cantonment there is also absolutely essential. Cantonments already exist at Zhob, Loralai (Pashtoon belts), Khuzdar, Sibi (Baloch belts), and at Chaman. The locals are benefitting from these cantonments through such establishments as Combined Military Hospital (CMH), the Army Public School, and by the business opportunities through contracts for the many projects online, including the construction of buildings, roads and tracks. Two cantonments already exist in Karachi and Malir to protect the economic assets of that mega city, and Karachi today is a multi-ethnic, indeed multinational city, and probably the important economic hub. At the time of establishing the cantonment at Pano Aqil, the indigenous population raised slogans against it, but later acknowledged its significance and are now immensely grateful for the undertaking.
It is important to note that only three out of 57 Baloch Sardars, play on sub-nationalist feelings and are against the establishment of the cantonments and economic prosperity that will come of them in Balochistan. This is largely because: (a) Their feudal status and authority over the tribe is likely to be undermined. Visualizing that threat, they remain fixed on presenting various theoretical suppositions and provocations in keeping with their vested interests and against the development, prosperity and awareness of their followers. (b) As a consequence of urbanisation that usually follows the construction of cantonments, they fear that their self-established rule of law will come to an end. (c) They fear that once their people are provided protection, redress, education and medical care by the organs of the state, they would prefer this type of governance over that provided by the Waderas, Sardars and Nawabs. Their dependence on the Sardars and Nawabs and their henchmen would thus come to an end and they would be able to lead their lives according to their own wishes, rather than having to live in the medieval times of feudalism and tribalism.
The Quetta cantonment has got a large army set-up. It has educational institutions like the Command and Staff College, School of Infantry and Tactics, an Ordnance Depot and an ISSB centre. In addition, there is the Baloch Mini-training Centre that trains in the art of business. It employs ordinary people and has proved of great help in guiding them towards availing business and employment opportunities. Besides this, all the leaders of the sub-nationalist movement have their residences in Quetta. This is due to development there.
Every new development that may come in the shape of cantonments or is otherwise directly linked with the economy has a natural linkage with prosperity in a particular area, and if the development happens to be of a size such as Gwadar, it pays dividends not only to the people of the province alone, but to the entire population of the country. Leaving the misgivings against the army aside for the moment, let development take whatever course it may. Much time has been wasted. The country cannot afford further delays. Where there is a will, there is a way.
(Concluded)
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