The roadmap to peace in Balochistan

By Nasir Saleem Baloch

The coalition government of Nawab Aslam Raisani has made concerted efforts to reduce the grievances of the people of Balochistan. The last month National Finance Commission (NFC) Award meeting at the District of Gwadar, Balochistan is unique and unprecedented in the history of Pakistan. In this meeting, unanimously a consensus was reached by the federal government and all the four provinces on the division of the collected national revenue. The newly agreed formula of division is not only based on the population as was previously practiced, but on the bases of poverty, revenue generation, population, and many other factors. Now, the formula of National Finance Commission, over the divisible pool, seems to be rational and logical. The credit for convincing Punjab goes to the people of Balochistan who in their consecutive efforts at last became successful in the achievement of their set goal regarding the NFC Award as previously the bigger province of Punjab seemed and showed rigidity over the issue of NFC Award. Now, the deprived and alienated people of Balochistan have kept their eyes and ears in the practical implementation of the formula in letter and spirit.

Besides, these achievements, which were warmly welcomed by the people through out the country, the prime minister has also made an announcement for the direct administrative control of the Gawader Deep See port by the provincial government of Balochistan. Its chairman would be the chief minister of Balochistan. Another milestone, in this meeting was reached, when the federal government in good faith made an announcement of handing over the all running mega projects which include the Sandik and Reko diq projects. In order to reduce the sense of deprivation among the frustrated unemployed youths, the federal government, under the ‘’Balochistan Package” named as “Aghaz-I-Haqooq-I –Balochistan” also promised to provide 20,000 jobs to the graduates and post graduates which really is an unprecedented and historic move of the federal government. If this bell of Balochistan package is implemented in letter and spirit, it will reduce the tensionised political environment of Balochistan to a great extent. Rather it would normalize the political imbroglio of this conflict- ridden province.

Now the future of political environment of this province depends upon the sincerity and devotion of the federal government in terms of implementation of the recommendations proposed in the Balochistan package. The people of this province in general and the angry Balochs in particular have kept their eyes to the practical implementation of these all moves. Instead of these all reiterated announcements and commitments made by the central government, yet the nationalist parties i.e Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) and National Party, which boycotted the October 2008 general elections, are raising doubts over the intentions of federal government. The justification of their skepticism, according to them is based on the case of missing persons who have been whisked away by the unbridled secret agencies. Frequently both the provincial and federal governments have announced the quick and prompt release of these persons so for no body knows about the whereabouts of these disappeared persons. To make the situation worse, recently the agents of secret agencies have picked u-p some students and political activist for investigation to unknown places. So for, neither the government nor the secret agencies have disclosed the whereabouts of these missing persons. These illegal and unlawful acts of agencies have immensely widened the gapes of trust between the center and the nationalists. On observing these heinous acts of extra-judiciary and extra constitutional, the apex court has taken suo moto action against them. The superior court has issued a notice to the concerned channels for the quick production of these persons before the court. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has also termed these types of arrests which are carried out without any allegation and charges as completely unconstitutional.

According to the law of the land, any person, if arrested by any state agencies must be brought before the court within 24 hours for his and her trial. The constitution of the State clearly states that every citizen has the right to prove himself guiltless. Now the release of these missing persons is a real trial and a test of the sincerity and justice of federal government. If the interior ministry is really serious with case of missing persons and stoppage of military operations in Balochistan, then it should be very quick in it promises. It is for sure that soon these positive acts would function as the bridge of confidence building between the rival political groups.

However, the image of a strong federation as envisaged by the PPP and PML N is only possible if the above mentioned issues are sincerely addressed. The two mainstream political parties and their leaders can play a vital role in meeting the veteran nationalist leaders like Sardar Attauallah Khan Mengal and Nawab Kher Bux Marri in solving the problems by political dialogues and discussions. According to these two leaders, the real issue does not exist with the provision of some incentives; rather it exists with the provision of provincial autonomy to the provinces. They want to be the owner of their resources and coasts. Their grievances are the indiscriminate exploitation of their resources and political, economic and social injustices done to them by the central government. Before the issue of Balochistan take a no turn position president Zardari and Nawaz shareef must take the initiative of commencing a dialogue process with the real political representatives and the angry leaders of Balochistan.

The recent visit of PML N leader Nawaz Shareef to smaller provinces is positive move and also such type of frequent visit would enable them to understand the ground realities and the center of issues. Although Mr.Nawaz shareef showed a keen interest to meet the two veteran leaders Kher Bux and Attaullah, yet the offer of meeting was denied by the latter on the ground that these meeting would not be fruitful. Indeed they have completely lost confidence and trust. However, the key leaders should not give way and keep visiting the province and utilize the tribal norms and traditions in bringing back their lost confidence and bringing them back into the mainstream national politics.