Domestic Political, International Political, Terrorism

US, China

Khabrain, 27 December, p 10

Pakistan: Editorial Demands Address of Balochis' to Quell Insurgency

Editorial: "Balochistan Is Our Future"

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced 2012 as the year of the rights of Balochistan
and of resolution of the public problems. The decision made by the prime minister is
commendable as the burning issues of the province have been demanding special attention of the
government for many years. A few days back, Nawaz Sharif, chief of Pakistan Muslim League-
Nawaz [PML-N], also met Baloch leader Attaullah Mengal and promised to resolve the issues of
Balochistan on priority basis.

Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf [PTI], on Sunday while addressing a tsunami
of his supporters in Karachi, also apologized the people of Balochistan which speaks volumes of
the deteriorating conditions of the province. Not only this, but also it amounts to confessing the
atrocities that have been committed against the Baloch people for the last 64 years. It is indeed
condemnable that the largest province of the country with respect to area portrays a picture of
backwardness, deprivation, and helpless even today. The feeling of deprivation has grown so
gigantic that the danger of a rebellion movement surfacing there is increasing.

In these circumstances, the prime minister's decision of observing 2012 as a year of solidarity
with the people of Balochistan is very timely, for if the people of Balochistan are still left
deprived of their rights, the anti-state elements, who have been instigating the Balochis to rise up
to rebellion for several decades, Heaven forbid it, could succeed in achieving their objectives.

Daring and brave Baloch people are the pride of Pakistan. It is unfortunate that no one bothered
to acknowledge their due rights since the inception of Pakistan and 64-year long deprivation has
reportedly resulted in producing anti-federation trends in them. It is also a bitter reality that no
government has given Balochistan any reforms except empty slogans and false hopes. Although
the Baloch elders supported every move of Quaid-e-Azam at the time of independence and if we
cast a passing glance on the leading personalities of that time, we will get to know that a majority
of them hailed from Balochistan.

Now the time is ripe enough to take corrective measures and heal the wounds of deprivation
inflicted on the Baloch people. What can be more insulting that Balochistan provides natural gas
to all areas of the country, but the people living there have no access to this facility. In other
provinces, electricity is being produced by using this gas, but there are still many areas of
Balochistan that are forced to live in darkness and have no electricity.

If we talk of the backwardness of Balochistan in the field of education, it is often said that the
elders and tribal system is solely responsible as they oppose education. If the argument is
assumed true, it is hard to justify the darkness of illiteracy in the 70 per cent area of the province
that comprises of metropolitan area whereas the Baloch tribesmen rule only 30 percent of
Balochistan.

Now that educated and enlightened young Baloch leaders are heading the tribes, why would they
want their people to die in the eternal darkness of illiteracy and ignorance? It will not be wrong
to say that these arguments are merely lame excuses and an attempt to avoid facing ground
realities.

The practice of injustices and atrocities being unleashed against the province is years old. Those,
who used to chant slogans of 'Long Live Pakistan' are being labeled as 'traitors'. If these
nationalist Baloch leaders are traitors, then who would qualify to be called a patriot?
All the governments which came into power till today, have considered military operation as the
only option and solution of Balochistan and thus from the regime of General Ayub Khan to Gen
Musharraf, Balochistan had been a victim of aggression and as a result not only corpses are
recovered; but also mutilated bodies are being found.

It is indeed an exaggerated simplicity of one's nature, for if he believes that security agencies are
not behind these killings, is it not then the responsibility of the security agencies to investigate
and uncover the villainous hand behind these ruthless killings as many powerful stakeholders
have landed there to cash on the prolonged backwardness and deprivation of the masses living in
Balochistan? In a time marked with serious security concerns on the borders of Pakistan, it is
indeed necessary to uncover the mysterious hands that are sowing the seeds of separation on the
Baloch land.

The importance of Balochistan can be judged by the fact that it holds a key position in the 'Great
Game' and is the most crucial place in the future world politics. Both China and the United States
are striving hard to get hold of Gwadar port to control the economy of this region. Such
conspiracies can only be countered by the power of masses. Therefore, it is but necessary to
formulate such policies that aim at healing the wounds of deprivation and bring prosperity in
Balochistan as in the future of the province lies the future of Pakistan. United States is well
aware of the importance of Balochistan and is always ready to exploit the deprivation prevailing
in the province. Now that the prime minister has announced 2012 as the year for Balochistan, it
is highly required that the announcement is implemented in its true spirit. As a first step
extending Motorway to Gwadar port will not only facilitate trade from Balochistan to other
provinces, but will also strengthen bond of people of Balochistan with masses residing in other
provinces.

It is worth mentioning that President Asif Ali Zardari also promised to end deprivation and
backwardness in Balochistan after assuming charge as the president, but it is unfortunate that
these announcement still beg to be materialized into reality even after a lapse of many years. It is
hoped that the silver lining that has emerged after the recent announcements of the prime
minister would not end up proving an illusion and a dream.