The federal government has recently introduced “Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan”, which has generally been hailed as a step in the right direction. This package has taken stock of political, economic, constitutional and administrative grievances of the province.
The package convincingly brings out that the government is conscious of the province’s sense of deprivation, as seen in the framework of political and economic structure. The package examines grant of provincial autonomy to Balochistan and the abolition of the concurrent list. Another welcome development is that currently under construction cantonments at Sui and Kohlu in the Bugti and Mari areas would be halted at present. Also, it has been decided that military will be replaced by FC. The package has also taken note of the missing people saying the list of missing persons would be investigated and all those not involved in heinous crimes, would be set free. Another assurance has also been extended in that there would be no political victimization and instead, there would be an enquiry by the superior judiciary into the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti. From the above, one can easily make out that the Federal Government has correctly realized that in order to save the federation, it was imperative to address the Balochistan issue. Regrettably, Balochistan has been gravely neglected in the past and victimized. Also, the issue of provincial autonomy has over the years, been hanging in the balance. So, the problems facing Balochistan have so multiplied that now it is not easy to solve them. Perhaps, by and large, have been a victim of neglect, exploitation and repressive. In the recent past, the Baloch people have been fighting for their rights on political and constitutional means for nearly three decades. In view of their growing frustrations, the centre has finally decided to look into the question of provincial autonomy and consequently equitable distribution of resources. So far as natural resources including gas and minerals are concerned, Balochistan is the richer province but in the past local population has been denied the benefits of its riches. According to this new package, it has been decided that arrears of gas royalty owed to the province will be paid and all new mega projects would be launched with the consent and approval of the provincial government. Incidentally, Balochistan’s share in the project, profit/benefit has also been determined. These are all welcome steps because in the past, local people were not involved in any project. Gwadar Port and the Saindak Project, were both mega projects, but people of Balochistan were deliberately ignored and side tracked. Hence, the ever growing frustration! Now, in view of Government’s efforts to address the problems of the Balochi peoples, it is hoped that Balochistan’s grievances will soon be redressed. As discussed above, we genuinely feel that the current package is a major break through and despite minor lapses here and there, the package on the whole is sound and once it is implemented, it will bring about healthy changes in the life of its people. It is, however, regretted that a few die-hard nationalists belonging to the province had decided to reject the package even before it was presented to the joint session of the Parliament. As few more have now joined the chorus, strange part of the story is that negative or indifferent reactions to the package are not confined only those in the province. The main opposition party – PML(N) has not shown any enthusiasm and it sat stoically throughout the presentation, clarifying later that it would offer comments when this package is discussed in the joint session. As hinted above, the package in its recommendations has conceded the withdrawal of the army and a halt to cantonments construction. In the normal course, this step should have been enthusiastically received but the army as per programme will be replaced by FC. This arrangement is not acceptable for the Baloch people, as they feel that it this is done, it will amount to jumping from the frying pan and falling into the fire. Such is the hatred for FC in Balochistan. Seeing the prevailing political situation, we feel that Pakistan is and must remain a federation and under no circumstances, secessionists, demands should be accepted. Viewed dispassionately, the government’s package holds the promise of a better tomorrow for Balochistan. Here we suggest that at this point of time, the Baloch people should be encouraged to engage and re-negotiate with the federal government to ensure their legitimate grievances are addressed expeditiously. To cut the story short, the package can genuinely be turned as a road map; it promises some concrete measures while leaving other issues open for negotiation. For example. The government has pledged to roll back the role of the army in the key trouble spots and hand over law enforcement duties to the Frontier Corps under the oversight of the Baloch Chief Minister. These are sensible measures but when put to test, this proposition may pose problems. There is still a law and order crisis in the province and as such, the implementation of these measures may be temporarily delayed. More autonomy and control of resources is necessary for Balochistan as indeed for other provinces. But once gain that is easier said than done. Tail piece, Balochistan is not just home to Baloch people, there is for example a sizeable Pashtun population whose interests should also be accommodated. Viewing things from another angle, it is time for the militant nationalists to reject violence and return to the negotiating table. Te federal government has extended its hand in good faith and this spirit of reconciliation should lead Balochistan to a non-violent solution.
The package convincingly brings out that the government is conscious of the province’s sense of deprivation, as seen in the framework of political and economic structure. The package examines grant of provincial autonomy to Balochistan and the abolition of the concurrent list. Another welcome development is that currently under construction cantonments at Sui and Kohlu in the Bugti and Mari areas would be halted at present. Also, it has been decided that military will be replaced by FC. The package has also taken note of the missing people saying the list of missing persons would be investigated and all those not involved in heinous crimes, would be set free. Another assurance has also been extended in that there would be no political victimization and instead, there would be an enquiry by the superior judiciary into the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti. From the above, one can easily make out that the Federal Government has correctly realized that in order to save the federation, it was imperative to address the Balochistan issue. Regrettably, Balochistan has been gravely neglected in the past and victimized. Also, the issue of provincial autonomy has over the years, been hanging in the balance. So, the problems facing Balochistan have so multiplied that now it is not easy to solve them. Perhaps, by and large, have been a victim of neglect, exploitation and repressive. In the recent past, the Baloch people have been fighting for their rights on political and constitutional means for nearly three decades. In view of their growing frustrations, the centre has finally decided to look into the question of provincial autonomy and consequently equitable distribution of resources. So far as natural resources including gas and minerals are concerned, Balochistan is the richer province but in the past local population has been denied the benefits of its riches. According to this new package, it has been decided that arrears of gas royalty owed to the province will be paid and all new mega projects would be launched with the consent and approval of the provincial government. Incidentally, Balochistan’s share in the project, profit/benefit has also been determined. These are all welcome steps because in the past, local people were not involved in any project. Gwadar Port and the Saindak Project, were both mega projects, but people of Balochistan were deliberately ignored and side tracked. Hence, the ever growing frustration! Now, in view of Government’s efforts to address the problems of the Balochi peoples, it is hoped that Balochistan’s grievances will soon be redressed. As discussed above, we genuinely feel that the current package is a major break through and despite minor lapses here and there, the package on the whole is sound and once it is implemented, it will bring about healthy changes in the life of its people. It is, however, regretted that a few die-hard nationalists belonging to the province had decided to reject the package even before it was presented to the joint session of the Parliament. As few more have now joined the chorus, strange part of the story is that negative or indifferent reactions to the package are not confined only those in the province. The main opposition party – PML(N) has not shown any enthusiasm and it sat stoically throughout the presentation, clarifying later that it would offer comments when this package is discussed in the joint session. As hinted above, the package in its recommendations has conceded the withdrawal of the army and a halt to cantonments construction. In the normal course, this step should have been enthusiastically received but the army as per programme will be replaced by FC. This arrangement is not acceptable for the Baloch people, as they feel that it this is done, it will amount to jumping from the frying pan and falling into the fire. Such is the hatred for FC in Balochistan. Seeing the prevailing political situation, we feel that Pakistan is and must remain a federation and under no circumstances, secessionists, demands should be accepted. Viewed dispassionately, the government’s package holds the promise of a better tomorrow for Balochistan. Here we suggest that at this point of time, the Baloch people should be encouraged to engage and re-negotiate with the federal government to ensure their legitimate grievances are addressed expeditiously. To cut the story short, the package can genuinely be turned as a road map; it promises some concrete measures while leaving other issues open for negotiation. For example. The government has pledged to roll back the role of the army in the key trouble spots and hand over law enforcement duties to the Frontier Corps under the oversight of the Baloch Chief Minister. These are sensible measures but when put to test, this proposition may pose problems. There is still a law and order crisis in the province and as such, the implementation of these measures may be temporarily delayed. More autonomy and control of resources is necessary for Balochistan as indeed for other provinces. But once gain that is easier said than done. Tail piece, Balochistan is not just home to Baloch people, there is for example a sizeable Pashtun population whose interests should also be accommodated. Viewing things from another angle, it is time for the militant nationalists to reject violence and return to the negotiating table. Te federal government has extended its hand in good faith and this spirit of reconciliation should lead Balochistan to a non-violent solution.
Comments
Post a Comment