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Presented by: P/O Sarfaraz Ahmed P/O Farrukh Ghani

Introduction

History
Trible

System Conflicts Economic Prosperity Solutions Conclusion Biblography

Balochistan,

the largest of the four provinces of Pakistan, spreads over an area of 347,190 Sq, Kms. forming 43.6 per cent of the total area of Pakistan
Having

a low density per square kilometer Physically, Balochistan is an extensive plateau of rough terrain divided into basins by ranges of sufficient heights and severity.

Broadly,

Balochistan geographic area can be divided in to four distinct zones: Upper high lands, lower high lands, plains, and deserts.
The

upper highlands, known locally as Khorasan, rise as high as 3,700 meters, with valley floors about 1,500 meters above sea levels.
The

highlands include Makran, Kharan and Chaghi ranges in the West and Sulaiman, Pab, Kirther in the east.
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The

Upper High Lands fall mainly in districts Zhob, Killa Saifullah, Pishin, Quetta, Ziarat and Kalat. It comprises a number of ranges such as Sulaiman, TobakKakari, Murdar, Zarghoon, Takatu, and Chiltan ranges.
The

Lower High Lands have an altitude ranging from 1970 to 3940 ft (600 to 1200 M).
They

are located in the south-eastern Balochistan, except eastern part of Kachi, the southern end of Dera Bugti and Nasirabad districts.

Some are extension of lower high lands that exist at boundaries of Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur, Kharan and Chaghi districts. Balochistan has relatively small area of plains as compared to its total land area. They include the Kachi plain, situated to the south of Sibi and extending into Nasirabad Division, the southern part of Dera Bugti district, and narrow plain area along the Mekran coast stretching from Kachi to the Iranian border.
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The plains of Kachi, Las Bela and that of river Dasht cover sizable area. Mountains dominate the terrain, and valley floors, and piedmont plain make up only 15% of the landscape. The western part of the province, mostly in Kharan and Chaghi districts, consists of vast plains covered with black gravel surface and broad expanses of sand dunes.

The coastal-line is about 760 Kilometers long, with a number of peninsulas and promontories. The coastal area is not effectively connected with the interior; the steep hills rise abruptly beyond the narrow coastal plain. Ports, such as Somiani, Pasni and Gwadar are unsheltered. Federal and provincial governments have comprehensive development plans that feature a deep sea port at Gwadar and a coastal highway.
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Balochistan has an eventful history dating back to the Stone Age. Recent research and archaeological excavations at Mehrgarh have revealed 9000 years old civilization. Human settlement pattern at Mehrgarh was unparalleled and unique, inaugurating the distinct shift from a hunting gathering to a settled life for the first time in human history.
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Domestication of animals, cultivation of plants, and perfume export were modern features of Mehrgarh civilization. Alexander the great passed through Balochistan in 325 B. C. After his death Balochistan came under the rule of Selecus Nicator whose descendents lost power to the Graeco-Bactrians.
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The province has also witnessed the march of a number of great conquerors and warriors such as Macedonians, Arabs, Ghaznavies, Mangols and Mughals in the past. The Muslim rule began in 712 A.D. The parts of Balochistan which were ruled by the Arabs were called by them Turan (Jhallawan area) having capital at Khuzdar and Nudha or Buddha (Kachhi).

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In the 11th century, Balochistan fell into the hands of Nasir-ud-din Subuktagin marking the beginning of Ghaznivid dynasty. Ghorids succeeded the Ghaznivids. In 1219, it was annexed to the dominion of Sultan Mohammad Khan of Khwarizm (Khiva). In the 11th century, Balochistan fell into the hands of Nasir-ud-din Subuktagin marking the beginning of Ghaznivid dynasty. Ghorids succeeded the Ghaznivids. In 1219, it was annexed to the dominion of Sultan Mohammad Khan of Khwarizm (Khiva).
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The year 1223 saw the danger of the Yellow Peril, the Mongols, in the south of Mekran. In the 1595 it became a part of the Mughal Empire and later Nadir Shah of Persia captured it.

Ahmed Shah Durrani of Afghanistan was successful to establish his rule in 1747.
The Khanate of Kalat emerged in 1758 when Nasir Khan-I revolted against the Afghans.

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The Muslim rule was followed by the British rule in 1839. Two Afghan wars between 1839 and 1879 helped the British to consolidate their power in Balochistan. Sir Robert Sandeman, who later became the Chief Commissioner of Balochistan, was the architect of British strategy in the region He negotiated a number of treaties with the Khan of Kalat during 1854 to 1901.
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Through these treaties the British Government gained control over the leased territory of Chaghi, Bolan Pass, Quetta and other areas. The princely states of Mekran, Kharan, Lasbela and a little later Kalat state acceded to Pakistan after it came into being in 1947. In 1955, Balochistan was merged into one unit of West Pakistan. After the dissolution of one-Unit, Balochistan emerged as one of the four new provinces of Pakistan.
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The social organization of the Balochis is based on blood kinship. Different groups of people mostly descend from a common ancestor. Members of each group share common interests and liabilities. This has made clan organization the basis of Baloch society. Every sub-clan (paro) represents a family, and a few sub-clans or paros together constitute a clan. Several clans grouped together make a tribe (tuman).
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Although Khans of Kalat introduced and developed the institution of army but as regards the recruitment of army men, there was no specific critarion. Every able-bodied tribesman was supposed to take up arms in an emergency. Major Pottinger in a visit to court of the Khan of Kalan in 1810, seeing a register reported Baloch armed strength to be 250,000 men. Baloch people are patriarchal in nature. They pay deference successively to their elders or headman, of the household (paro), tent or of the village, of the clan and of the tribe. These chiefs are the main custodian of the Baloch society. They are the martial administrator as well as judicial head. They enjoy distinct superiority over their fellows and are never challenged in their unlimited powers.
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In this perspective of the Baloch society a chief less tribe, if any, occupied in the lowest position devoid of any honor, safety and protection. The social tie among the members of one tribe implies unconditional sincerity to the members of clan fellow.

The chief of a paro (sub-clan or family) is usually its eldest member and is known as Wadera
The chief of a clan known as Macadam or Tukkri is either nominated by the sardar (tribal chief) or is elected by the Waderas. However, this mostly use to be a hereditary institution and election or nomination is made from amongst the descendants of the former Mugaddam or Tukkri
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The tribal chief or "Sardar" is always hereditary and is mostly the eldest son of a deceased Sardar. However, if the eldest son is undeserving or disliked, election amongst other sons or brothers of the deceased can be made. This election is made by Tukkries or Mugaddams. Once the election or nomination has been made it is unanimously accepted by all and forever. It had been very rare that people have revolted against sovereignty of their chiefs. The tribal system has given rise to the institution of Jirga.

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Jirga or its equivalents "Punchayat" of India or "Baradari" of India and Punjab had been an essential part of all primitive societies. In this ancient institution, elites gather together and dispose of the disputes of people in accordance with the prevailing customs keeping in view, the seriousness of the crime and the respective faults of the parties. The decisions handed down by the Jirga (mostly Sardars) are fully respected by all members of the society and are fully enforceable.
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Disputes with another tribe have always been a common feature of all tribal societies. The offence committed by an individual is considered to be committed by whole of the tribe and the affected one is not an individual but the whole tribe. It is responsibility of the Sardar or Tukkri to take revenge, on behalf of the tribe, even though the chief himself or his family members may not be directly affected. The history of Balochistan is full of inter-tribal feuds, conflicts and disputes. Mostly tribal conflicts give rise to wars.
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The war between Mir Chakar of Rind tribe and Mir Gohram of Lashari tribe was also of the same nature. Raman, son of Gohram and Rehan, a nephew of Mir Chakar went to a horse race. As per decision of some Rind elders, Rehan was declared winner; Raman Lashari was not satisfied with the decision and thus attacked the horses of Gohar, a lady who had sought refuge with Mir Chakar Khan Rind. This attack was taken as an attack on Rind tribe and Lashari tribe was attacked in revenge.

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This led to wars extending for thirty.years and costing thousands of lives. In the recent past, Marri and Bugti tribes fought for twenty years, costing hundred and thirty lives. Similarly Bugti and Jakhrani tribes, in a feud of thirty years, lost two hundred lives. The inter-tribal disputes have given rise to the institution of "Mairh" or "Marka".

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Usually these feuds continue for a year till either one party is completely destroyed or the party at fault realizes and accepts its crime.

If crime is accepted, tribal elites of the accused side go to the elites of the other party to settle the issue. The elites of the other side either forgive them or impose a reasonable fine.
The sending of tribal elites to the other party to settle an issue is known as Mairh. 24

The importance of the institution of Mairh can be realized from the fact that twenty years long MarriBugti war was settled just in three days. People of Balochistan have resisted enforcement of criminal procedure code or police administration, just because they feel a sense of security in this apparently backward system of Jirga and Mairh.

Even by the mid-1990s, out of an area of 134,000 square miles, police system was applicable only to 220 square miles while rest of the Balochistan was ruled under the old system.
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In April 1948, Baloch nationalists claim that the central government sent the Pakistan army, which allegedly forced Mir Ahmed Yar Khan to give up his state, Kalat. Kalat was a landlocked British protectorate that comprised roughly 22%23% of Balochistan. Mir Ahmed Yar Khan signed an accession agreement ending Kalat's de facto independence. His brother, Prince Abdul Karim Khan, was a powerful governor of a section of Kalat, a position that he was removed from after accession.

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He decided to initiate an insurgency against Pakistan. On the night of May 16, 1948 Prince Abdul Karim Khan initiated a separatist movement against the Pakistani government.

He conducted guerrilla warfare based in Afghanistan against the Pakistan army.


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Nawab Nowroz Khan took up arms in resistance to the One Unit policy, which decreased government represenation for tribal leaders. He and his followers started a guerrilla war against Pakistan. Nowroz Khan and his followers were charged with treason and arrested and confined in Hyderabad jail.

Five of his family members (sons and nephews) were subsequently hanged under charges of aiding murder of Pakistani troops and treason. Nawab Nowroz Khan later died in detention.

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After the second conflict, the Federal government sent the Army to build new military bases in the key conflict areas of Balochistan in order to resist further chaos.
Sher Muhammad Bijrani Marri led like-minded militants into guerrilla warfare by creating their own insurgent bases spread out over 45,000 miles (72,000 km) of land, from the Mengal tribal area in the south to the Marri and Bugti tribal areas in the north.
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The Army retaliated by destroying vast areas of the Marri tribe's land. This insurgency ended in 1969 and the Baloch separatists agreed to a ceasefire.
Yahya Khan abolished the "One Unit" policy. This eventually led to the recognition of Balochistan as the fourth province of West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan) in 1970, containing all the Balochistani princely states, the High Commissioners Province and Gwadar, an 800 km coastal area purchased by the Pakistani Government from Oman.
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Citing treason, President Bhutto dismissed the provincial governments of Balochistan NWFP and imposed martial law in those provinces. Dismissal of the provincial governments led to armed insurgency. Khair Bakhsh Marri formed the Balochistan Peoples Liberation Front (BPLF), which led large numbers of Marri and Mengal tribesmen into guerrilla warfare against the central government.

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According to some authors, the Pakistani military lost 300 to 400 soldiers during the conflict with the Balochi separatists,
While between 7,300 and 9,000 Balochi militants and civilians were killed.

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In 2005, the Baloch political leaders Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and Mir Balach Marri presented a 15-point agenda to the Pakistan government.

Their stated demands included greater control of the province's resources and a Moratorium on the construction of military bases.
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On 15 December 2005, Inspector-General of Frontier Corps Maj Gen Shujaat Zamir Dar and his deputy Brig Salim Nawaz were wounded after shots were fired at their helicopter in Balochistan province. The provincial interior secretary later said that "both of them were wounded in the leg but both are in stable condition."
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The two men had been visiting Kohlu, about 220 km (140 mi) south-east of Quetta, when their aircraft came under fire. The helicopter landed safely. In August 2006, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, 79 years old, was killed in fighting with the Pakistan Army in which at least 60 Pakistani soldiers and 7 officers were killed. He was charged by Pakistan's government of a series of bomb blasts, killings of the people he professed to protect and the rocket attack on the President Pervez Musharraf.

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Availability of Raw Material Coastal Belt and Development of Gwadar Port Deep Sea Port Access to Central Asian Countries, Gulf States & other neighboring countries Hardworking Labour Industrial Zones having all the basic Infrastructure Flexible Government Policies
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Minerals Horticulture Fisheries Livestock Handicrafts Invest in Exploration of Minerals of Economic Significance 39 minerals are being exploited and efforts are underway for further discoveries
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Main areas of investment are: Fruit Processing Plants Apple Treatment Plants Date Processing Plants Tomato Paste Manufacturing Fried/ Dried Onion Plants Cut-flower Business & Floriculture Plantation of Palm Trees and Processing Cool Chains
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Apple is an important crop in Balochistan in terms of the people employed, the value of the output, and the revenue it generates. The apple export of Pakistan during the last five years is only on the average: 2,960 tons per year constituting just 0.5% of its total production. Main Reason for low export volume is the absence of a treatment plants required to treat and pack the fruit according to the International Market Requirements.
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Pakistan imported 1.2 metric tons of palm oil annually and it was being increased by 16%, annually. Pakistan is totally dependent on imports to cover its demand of palm oil.
Low cost import substitution product. Any potential investment company can provide semi-refined form of palm oil to the local market through an oil expeller unit.
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To develop Farm-to-Market Infrastructure To promote the exports of fresh fruits and vegetables To Attain the maximum value for the produce of Balochistan

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There is a need to expose the fish industry of Balochistan to the improved methods in fish handling/preservation for an end product that is in demand world-wide to enhance exports. The total catch in the year 2001-2002 was 654,500 m. tones. The total value was Rs. 5.90 billion. While the total catch in Balochistan in the year 20012002 was 118,033 m. tonnes.Fish hatcheries at the coastal area is another viable project because of the availability of favorable conditions. Shrimp farming is the production of marine shrimp in ponds and tanks with the use of natural and commercial feed. Cultured or farmed marine shrimp play an important role in supplying the world's shrimp demand. There are 30 species of marine shrimp in Pakistan waters.
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Layer Farming. Eggs being supplied to Quetta from Karachi. Climate supporting such an industry. Goat/Sheep Farming Currently goat/sheep are being exported to Middle Eastern countries Cattle Fattening Farm Dairy Cattle/Poultry Feed Cattle coming into Balochistan from neighboring provinces Export potential to Iran and the Middle East Goat/Sheep related processing industry Sheep Casings processing Revival of Harnai Woolen Mills through privatization
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Government should draw out a clear cut policy giving du e share in natural resources to the province. The revenue from the developmental projects in Balochi stan must be spent on its development. Development work should be carried out in the field s of infrastructure development, water for irrigation and drinking, education, health, energy and productive econ omic activity. The delivery system of basic social services like health, education, water and sanitation needs to be strengthene d and easily accessible to common people.
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Royalties, duties, development surcharges and o ther levies owed to the province by the centre m ust be paid on fair basis. Pakistan Army should also make its image b etter in that province. The Government must implement the plans of canceling the constructing cantonments away from the border region. There must be no unnecessary presence of military forces in the province. Pakistan Army should run a recruitment drive for Baloch.
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On the political level, the government must invo lve the political and nationalist groups in the ma instream politics. The Baloch leaders must be engaged by the political leadership neutralize t he extremist/separatist segments of their group The Baloch must be given due representation in state institutions. Balochistans cities, towns and villages should be given priority and preference for Sui gas, mi nerals, and other basic necessities of life.
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Judiciary should play its role SC must act as to ensu re justice in province and the provision of basic national rights to the Baloch people in capacity of equal Pakistanis. Action is needed on the missing persons form federal executive and judiciary Peace and rule of law must be ensured. As an ancilla ry point this must not be used as an excuse to perpet rate state sanctioned crimes. Governance and Economic Management Programm es should be developed and implemented.
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Budgetary controls should be given to Local Bo dies, with nominated Official in order to ensure the benefits reaches at the grass root levels. Provincial government should tackle, education , health, housing, law and order, security, com munication, roads and transport as top most pri ority. The longheld fear of the Baloch people that inv estors may take their resources away needs to be addressed by the safeguard investment poli cies of assurance by the government.
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The Baloch Nationalists, if sincere with a peace ful resolution of the years old conflict, must neg otiate the issues with the political leadership in order to resolve the conflicts. By creating major opportunities specifically, by turning Balochistan into an impo rtant energy conduit in the region to address Baloch nationalist demands in a pos itive and mutually acceptable manner.

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The history of relationship between centre and Balochistan shows a long story of political inaptitude, economic exploitation and unfulfilled promises. State, being the major runner of the national affairs, is to be held responsible more than anyone else for causing the crisis. Centre in its successive policies and measures have overlooked the sociological and anthropological peculiarities of Balochistan people and harsh economic realities under which they pass their lives and which over 60 years have given birth to deprivation. 50

This deprivation has made the masses more vulnerable to the appeal by the extremists of all hue and colour. Federal government despite its claim remains unable to design formal conflict resolution mechanisms. One of the main reasons for their failure to cope with the problem has been the weak democratic history of the country, which created the basis of deep polarization due to which the general masses can no longer identify themselves with the state.
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It has been said Pakistani government has had its constraints. Robert Wirsing observes that the energy related and other strategic forces impacting on that part of the world join together in shaping Pakistani perceptions of their policy requirements, in some instances narrowing options, in others practically dictating Islamabad's actions. He further states these forces have demanded that the central government more strongly exert its authority in Balochistan. 52

However we will still assert that international situations and constraints can never be an excuse for any nation or state to neglect, oppress or deprive its own masses. During the past few years, the debate on this issue in media has reinserted the ignored Balochistan into general consciousness of people. In the international media, however, the nationalist movement in Balochistan has also been exaggerated and propagandized. The historic tribal rivalries and the tension between Balochi people and settlers have also been exploited to create and further internal divides and conflicts in the province. 53

Only recently the government has taken a few of the long awaited initiatives to address the reasons of provincial conflict. After the introduction of AghazeHuqooq Balochistan package and the passing of the 18th constitutional amendment and abolition of the military cantonments in the province, the separatist movement seems to have ebbed slightly. Although even in this period of lull the target killing has continued, and socioeconomic problems continue to simmer. Although people are hopeful but they are still skeptic about the promises due to the trust deficit between province and state. 54

To solve various problems of national interest through wide consensus, government should work on creating and implementing concrete policies that will lead to socioeconomic development and problem resolution. Provincial and ethnic autonomy could enhance the participatory approach which will help to have wide consensus over national affairs. The legitimate grievances of Baloch people must be addressed as of all the other deprived areas.
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For the broader peace and security program in the region, the government must invest in human development, and politically empower the people to take part in economic development through modern but decentralized governance mechanism. The strong and accountable democratic setup of governance can serve as the best means of conflict resolution. The real solution lies in the strong political commitment to implement independent policy decisions in the best interest of Pakistan.
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Good governance and the stamina and patience to build institutions and reconciliation, magnanimity and humility on behalf of federal political elites, efficient uncorrupt public service, independent and efficient judiciary, disciplined police force, and political will to execute the plan, can end this crisis. Creation and implementation of Governance and Economic Management Programme (GEMP) with nominated officials at local levels
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To deliver health education, energy supply transport and social transformation agenda will bring relief, peace and security.

The establishment must come forward and wholeheartedly demonstrate its willingness to grant selfrule and political autonomy to the province in order to build a new social contract. It remains to be seen if the government is up to the task.
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Google Wikipedia Answer.com Balochistan.gov.pk Tareekh Balochistan Written by LALA HOOT

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