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Unrest in Balochistan
By: IKRAM ULLAH
What has generally been described as ’the Sui situation’ in Balochistan, seems to be gradually worsening and expanding to other areas, not only within but also outside the boundaries of Balochistan. Due to the heavy presence of the army and FC personnel in the area, the rain of rockets and mortar shells by unknown armed guerillas has been successfully dealt with and stopped.
Large numbers of locals have moved to the adjoining mountains and some are reported to have entrenched there. In spite of very heavy losses, both in men and material as well as a staggering loss to industry and national economy, the timely request to the federal government by the provincial cabinet of Balochistan, have saved the situation. The first round has been won by the intervention of the armed forces. The long drawn war to win peace continues to remain elusive. No one can disagree to that.
The latest scenario is reflected in the reports published in February 4, papers. "Balochistan was rocked by six bombs and landmine blasts targeting key transport, communications and power facilities, causing widespread damage. Two railway lines were ripped up in the attacks including the main line between Quetta and Zahidan in neighbouring Iran.
The railway track was blown up at Mastung, 56 kms Southeast Quetta. Earlier a powerful bomb ripped through the wall of a police station in the town of Mastung. Organisations like the Balochistan Liberation Army reveal the potential dimension of the threat to life and property and the subsequent political fallout on the health of the nation. The long list of grievances of the people of Balochistan during the past half a century, resulting in a sense of deprivation and the many military operations to quell the so-called insurgencies by alleged defiance and even revolt by some tribal chiefs of Balochistan is part of history. This perception is not confined to Balochistan alone.
Other smaller provinces like Sindh and NWFP have similar grievances against the centre. The relationship between the provinces and federation has been crying for a review ever since the 50s. This was at the root cause of the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971 whereas the politicians blamed the repeated army interventions as the root cause, the military leadership argues that the political leadership ever since the demise of the Quaid failed to provide the much needed political remedies. The need of the hour is to take the bull of dissent and disintegration by the horns and find a solution through national consensus.
As PM, Ch Shujaat took the first difficult step in the right direction in a thousand miles long journey troubled by past neglect and other acts of omission and commission. A parliament committee, headed by Shujaat himself was formed to study the worsening Balochistan situation and recommended measures for resolving this complex issue.
This step was commended by the whole nation for three reasons. One, that such a venture was undertaken by the government for the first time. Second, the task was assigned to the parliament thus establishing its supremacy in taking decision of national importance in the best interest of Pakistan. Thirdly, the setting up of the parliamentary committee reflected the will of the present government to decide political issues at the political level and not through any other means, such as the use of force which cannot provide remedies of permanent nature.
The parliamentary sub committee headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain who is also Secretary General of the ruling PML, comprised representatives of all major political parties in the National Assembly as well as the Senate. This sub committee has finalised its report after many weeks of examining the Balochistan unrest in depth. The recommendations of this committee are believed to have been examined by the cabinet and approved by the Prime Minister and President.
It is believed that the parliamentary party report on Balochistan is in the form of a major package of reforms and other political as well as economic measures, many of which would need constitutional amendment. However this vital report of national importance has not so far been presented for debate before the parliament nor has the nation been taken into confidence with regard to its contents and substance, specially the proposed constitutional amendments. These should be made public for a national debate and also to obtain a national consensus with regard to the demands and redressing of grievances of the provinces.
The earlier it is done, the better it would be to assist the resolution of the raging storm in Balochistan. Glancing through the media reports, editorials and comments during the past few weeks, it can be safely deduced that no other domestic issue, since the fall of Dhaka, has attracted the attention of the media, as the situation in Balochistan.
The government would do well to examine in depth, the analyses by the media of the Balochistan situation and the remedies suggested. The politicians must also rise above party considerations to face this challenge. Some elements have tried to paint the present picture of a state of war in the province. Such extreme and explosive choice of words should be avoided at all costs as the need of the hour is to exercise restraint by all concerned. It is time that the parliament as well as the National Security Council takes immediate notice of the present unrest in the provinces before the situation assumes more dangerous proportions.
E-mail queries and comments to: ikramullah@nation.com.pk
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/feb-2005/6/columns4.php | 
