Baloch leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal put forth his six-point charter for the resolution of problems in Balochistan, in the Supreme Court last week. The charter demands an end to forced disappearances; that ‘death squads’ working in the province be disbanded; to allow Baloch political parties to function and resume their political activities without interference from intelligence agencies; persons responsible for inhuman torture, killing and dumping of bodies of Baloch political leaders and activists should be brought to justice; and measures should be initiated for rehabilitation of thousands of displaced Baloch living in appalling condition.
While the points raised by Mengal have brought hope for some form of reconciliation on the Balochistan issue, the response, if any, from the security agencies and the establishment will be key to revealing if any real progress will be made.
Political parties and their leaders have come forward to support Mengal, especially the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf. However, the government has continued on its stance that there is no involvement of security agencies in the disappearances and target killings in Balochistan, with government officials condemning Mengal’s statements.
Interior Minister Rahman Malik has said that the government is ‘serious on the issue of recovering the missing persons and that all valid grievances of the former chief minister of Balochistan, Sardar Akhtar would be addressed” but no progress has been made.
Hearing on the Balochistan missing persons’ case resumes on October 8, and it remains to be seen what turn the case will take after Mengal’s appearance and statements.
How will Sardar Mengal’s appearance before the court and his six-point charter affect the situation in Balochistan?
Will the government take note of the grievances, now that its political opponents have also supported Mengal’s stance?
Is the support from the political parties being voiced in order to garner support before the elections?
Who are the true representatives of the Baloch people? How can the inhabitants’ voice be heard?
Dawn.com invites its readers to share their views and voice their suggestions…
Political and security situation in Baluchistan is much worse than the rest of Pakistan, including the Pak-Afghan border areas and therefore must be treated in a sensitive and delicate manner.
The 1971 humiliating experience must not be repeated. It is essential that all the political parties and the federal/provincial governments discuss the Baluchistan matter much before the general elections and come up with a united and amicable approach towards Baluchistan.
Pakistanis must remember that the Baluchis, as a nation, have been humiliated again and again by the Pakistani military and political overlords. Freedom-loving Baluchis cannot take it any more.
Pakistanis need to talk with their Baluchi compatriots in a loving and considerate manner. If not, they might loose Baluchistan like they did the Eastern wing, in December 1971,
After a considerably long but avoidable impasse, Akhtar Mengal’s visit to Pakistan could turn out to be a breakthrough provided that the powers that be are serious and willing to resolve the political logjam. The poor people of the province have suffered immensely and have been mercilessly exploited by political actors for their myopic political ends. As an insult to injury the hapless people bore the brunt of a corrupt and inept government which callously squandered massive resources placed at the disposal of province as result of national finance commission award. Had the nationalists who are the genuine political force not boycotted the election, the political trajectory would have been radically different. We don’t have some pleasant memories associated with six points but looking at these points minutely it transpires that skillful and accommodative negotiations appreciating the respective standpoint could pave the for resolution of crises. As there is nothing extra constitutional in these points,therefore the political and military establishment should rise to the occasion and cure the self-inflicted festering and suppurating wounds that have long been ignored.
Mengal is actually creating a deadlock situation himself – he is assuming that:
1- What’s happening in Balochistan is unique
2- That only local players (agencies) are involved
3- That federal government is responsible for everything
Let’s not forget that elected provincial government has been in place for 4.5 years and they and not any other party are responsible for their fellow Balochis. Second, there is huge pile of evidences littered around that foreign forces are involved. If Baloch leaders do not recognize this, they would unfortunately be considered playing in the hands of those foreign players. Third, the killings and abductions are not unique to Balochistan. Sindh and especially Karachi is in much worse situation, yet, the focus is Balochistan which seems intentional.
As much as the bureaucracy/military are to blame for the mess up in Balochistan, we keep forgetting what has been the role of the innumerable Nawabs and Sardar. The unbelievable corruption of the Sardars is not a secret. How come the royalty of a specific gasfield belongs to a Sardar only; who has been exploiting the poor Baloch masses for centuries. If it wasn’t for the savage corruption of those who have served in different formats of Govt. in Balochistan, we would not be facing the situation that we’re in. I think the Baloch leaders are to blame equally for this mess.
zulfiqar bhutto was the principal architect of the dhaka fall. the same party is in the government with even more lust for power lesser moral scruples. God save pakistan and its territorial integrity.
May be he is supporting the foreign forces, He should accept the fact that baloch areas are known to have private prisons, such stories have come out from baloch who have run to Punjab and sind for safety. Secondly baloach in Karachi have private armed bodyguards to show arm power to public , Surf or Vigo loaded with them can be spotted in the residence area.