The Situation
in Balochistan
By Professor Mukhtar
Ali Naqvi
Orlando, Fl
News of rocket attacks in several areas have
been coming in for the last three years. The responsibility
for these attacks has been claimed by the Balochistan
Liberation Army, an organization of unknown origin.
It seems that some subversive elements are operating
under a fictitious name. They are faceless people
getting arms and financial help from some source.
It was only about three months back that the situation
was aggravated with the stand-off in Dera Bugti.
The subversive elements got more active and gas
pipelines, railway tracks, power houses, and many
other installations became the target of attack.
The tribal leaders denied any collusion with the
subversive elements but faithfully avoided to
condemn them. In almost all cases, it was the
local population that suffered. Many locals lost
their life but not a word of sympathy was expressed
by the tribal leaders.
On the contrary, various demands were raised by
the tribal leaders which could serve as a ‘fair
deal’ to the people of Balochistan: there
were complaints that the province has been neglected
in the past and was lagging behind other parts
of the country. Surprisingly, the present developmental
effort in the province also came under harsh criticism.
Plans to build roads, improve other means of communication
and development of the Gawadar port which will
bring about a revolutionary change in the economy
of the province, were censured with little compunction.
Many tribal leaders said plainly that current
developmental plans were meant to reduce the Baluch
population into a minority!
Airing their views in TV interviews the tribal
leaders unabashedly referred to the secession
of East Pakistan and drew a parallel between the
1971 tragedy and the current Balochistan situation.
A former chief minister who happens to be the
son of a tribal leader said in a public speech
that the freedom loving people have an opportunity
to get freedom and are inclined not to lose it.
The demands for a ‘fair deal’ are
put forth not by elected leaders but tribal chiefs
who have a poor record of serving members of their
tribe. Their objective has been to perpetuate
their hold on the people and their opposition
to the development plans stems from the apprehension
that employment opportunities and consequent change
will liberate people from their bondage.
Despite the provocative attitude of tribal leaders
the government has stuck to a conciliatory stance
and a parliamentary committee is trying to resolve
the crisis. Many of the tribal leaders have refused
to cooperate with thecommittee. As the recommendations
of the parliamentary committee were awaited the
case of the rape of a lady doctor was unduly played
up. It was, of course, a despicable criminal act
but such cases are not uncommon in Pakistan. People
were justified in thinking that the tribal leaders
did not have any sympathy with the victim and
were only exploiting the case to inflame public
opinion to their political advantage.
Since the situation in the province has been the
subject of discussion in the country, the news
media has presented views of all shades of opinion.
Many interviewees belonging to the same tribe
exposed the tribal leaders. They gave first-hand
information about how t people are oppressed and
how despicable methods are used to keep them in
bondage. The details of captivity in private jails
are simply harrowing. The leaders are running
a parallel government and consider themselves
to be above the law.
The government is making all-out efforts to resolve
the current crisis. No one should dispute the
necessity of redressing the genuine grievances
of the people but the development plans must continue
and be implemented with renewed momentum.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
