Sunday, August 16, 2009

Balochistan unrest spiralling out of control: report

KARACHI: Unrest in Balochistan could seriously dent the government’s operation against the Taliban and its economy as well, a report in the Financial Times said.
According to the report, the insurgency in Balochistan could distract security forces from tackling the Taliban along the lawless Afghan border and in Swat.Separatists are targeting important buildings and other strategic installations in the region and have asked outsiders to leave as soon as possible, FT says.‘They are openly telling the Punjabis, ‘leave while you can.’ While everyone is worried about Swat, Balochistan is getting out of control,’ a senior provincial security official said.
Balochis has long been demanding a share in the revenue earned by the government from selling natural gas obtained from gas reserves situated in the province.‘We are the richest in terms of mineral resources and the poorest in terms of economic well-being,’ said Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani.Political leaders are also of the view that Balochistan should be given its due share in the revenue.‘All the proceeds from the gas have to come to Balochistan,’ said Balochistan National Party chief Abdul Malik Baloch.Malik said the government must withdraw armed forces from the region to earn support and trust of the local people.‘Military should be withdrawn from the province as part of a necessary reconciliation process that must begin to address ways of overcoming the anger in Balochistan,’ he said.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The situation is completly grim as government is continously paying deaf ear to te genuine demands of aggrieved people. The situation will grow more dangerous if not redeemed. NYT times in his article has predcated this nationalist movement has even power to break the country up. This is time of immediate act and maximum provincial autonomy should be granted to balochsistan. Otherwise very dreadful result is awaiting Pakistan, and no escape from this reality as it will bite up every one