THE president’s briefing on Balochistan to the 94th corps commanders’ conference is of great significance, though it is disturbing too. He has said that the government’s writ will be protected when challenged. This indicates that the situation in Balochistan is serious necessitating the use of force to restore peace and order in an area that has been in turmoil for the better part of 2005. From the president’s statement it would appear that the political option that Islamabad was exploring earlier has now been put on hold. If that is really the case, it comes as a cause for serious concern, as political disputes can be resolved by political means alone. The experience of Bangladesh in 1971 shows how difficult it is to restore the government’s writ when the local population supports leaders who give a call for armed resistance to the federal government. Indeed, the crisis in Baochistan calls for mature handling through a political dialogue. This is important because failure to address the political issues has given rise to turbulence in the province every few years.
In 2004 when Balochistan’s troubles began, the government set up a parliamentary committee under Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. This constituted two sub-committees and a dialogue was opened with the Baloch. It was hoped that the cause of discontent and frustration in the province would be rooted out once and for all this time. It is a pity that this has not happened because the political approach has not been carried to its logical end. The sub-committee headed by Senator Nisar Memon tackled the issue of provincial autonomy - a demand of other smaller provinces as well. It prepared a list of subjects which were to be removed from the concurrent list in the Constitution so that they would fall in the provincial jurisdiction. But the necessary constitutional amendment has so far not been placed before parliament for reasons unknown.
The other sub-committee which met a number of Baloch leaders presented a report before parliament in November 2005 seeking to address Baloch discontents. The sub-committee’s recommendations are wide-ranging and quite positive but have failed to pacify the province. The economic recommendations that can have a direct impact on the causes of discontent behind the present trouble have not been taken up yet for implementation. If the backwardness of the province for which the federal government as well as the sardars are responsible is not alleviated on an urgent basis, the Baloch leaders will continue to incite the people and exploit the unrest to their own advantage. To pre-empt them, the government must immediately implement the report’s recommendations on Balochistan’s job quota in the federal government and Baloch representation in Gwadar port. Similarly, other recommendations regarding building of highways, providing increased funds to the province and the enhancement of royalty for gas that will benefit the people should be attended to immediately.
In addition to this, the military dimension of the issue needs attention as well. The army operation, the establishment of new cantonments and the visible presence of the military in the province have disturbed the Baloch. The Mushahid Hussain sub-committee took note of these concerns and suggested the withdrawal of some checkposts but had nothing to say about the cantonments or cessation of the military operations. It is these contentious issues that must be taken up on a priority basis if peace is to be restored soon. |
