IT is several weeks since the military operation in Balochistan, originally described as comprising raids on the hideouts of absconders, was initiated. Despite claims that some training camps have been destroyed, there still is no end in sight to the operation.
To understand the reasons behind the turmoil, it could be described as due to a "trust deficit".
Historically, problems in Balochistan could have been addressed only through an effective and open-ended political process which sadly has been missing in most of our post-independence history.
During the last turmoil in Sui, the government initiated a dialogue through a committee headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain. It helped in developing trust and forces from both the Bugti and government sides were withdrawn from hostile positions.
The committee report was drafted after consultations with all sections of Baloch leaders. The committee came up with some useful suggestions, including more state funding for the social sector, especially in the Gwadar area, greater safeguards for the Baloch in federal and provincial jobs, and broadening the participation of Baloch on the boards of governors of oil and gas corporations.
There is a great deal of mistrust vis-a-vis the government’s development agenda in the province. Turmoil, anger and political protests are a reflection of the feelings of the people of Balochistan, which is the country’s biggest province territorially but economically the most backward. It has large reserves of oil, gas, copper, gold and other minerals, besides fisheries, but it feels its own people do not benefit from the exploitation of these resources. To regain the trust of the people, the above-mentioned injustices should be rectified and in a manner that satisfies the Baloch people and gives them a sense of participation in the political process.
Military means should be the last option and it is the need of the hour that dialogue and a political solution were given a chance.
IMRAN BALOCH
Karachi
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