THE government's refusal to administer proper medical care to imprisoned BNP(M) President and former Balochistan Chief Minister Akhtar Mengal resulted in a complete shutter-down strike across the province on Thursday. The party leaders have accused the government of steadily poisoning Mr Mengal, who is languishing in a Karachi jail since his arrest in November 2006 on trumped-up charges and has not been provided a fair trial.
The BNP(M)'s protest came just two days after the US State Department released its report on the worsening human rights situation in Pakistan. It highlighted the fact that despite General Musharraf's commitment to democratic transition, more than 6000 lawyers, political workers and human rights activists were arrested during 2007. The media was harassed and prevented from reporting cases of arbitrary detention and extra-judicial killings by the security agencies in total disregard of calls from international organizations for allowing journalists to perform their professional duties unimpeded and without fear. The Baloch were up in arms against the relentless repression that left hundreds of innocent men, women and children dead. The military operation initially launched in Dera Bugti in 2005 gradually spread to the entire province. The killing of JWP Chief Nawab Akbar Bugti in an army action in August 2006 exacerbated the feeling of marginalisation among the Baloch. The death of a Baloch Sardar known for his strong federalist bent resulted in providing strength to the separatist elements.
The Musharraf regime, founded on brute force, is not ready to acknowledge the fact that development alone cannot mitigate the sense of deprivation among the Baloch. Mr Zardari has done well by apologizing to the people of Balochistan for the military action launched against them in the 1970s. The new government must try to get to grips with the crisis. The immediate release of Mr Mengal can help it regain the confidence of the Baloch population.
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2008/15/editorials2.php |
