Balochistan , The volcano

THENEWSPK.COM

The replacement of Musharraf’s military regime with a democratic government seemed a positive development, particularly for Balochistan which had suffered unprecedented repression during the dictator’s rule. In fact, it was his excesses and the arrogance with which he battered the province that radicalised common Baloch people the most. The assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti and the torture of countless illegally detained students and the thousands of ‘disappearances’ of political activists aggravated the situation. Mindful of repeatedly having been excluded from the development process in the past, the local population saw the launch of mega projects such the Gwadar port and the Coastal High with suspicion that swelled their sense of deprivation. The authorities thought that they could make the Balochistan issue disappear by removing from the scene political activists demanding autonomy for Balochistan. They were wrong. According to the latest report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Balochistan can only be likened to ‘an active volcano that may erupt anytime with dire consequences’. The report notes with concern that violations of human rights in the province are ‘widespread’ and ‘harrowing’ and incidents of ‘enforced disappearances’ are continuing. A fact-finding mission of the commission claims to be in possession of ample evidence to support the allegations of victims’ families that the perpetrators of enforced disappearances are intelligence agencies and security forces. People from all over the province have also complained of humiliation they suffer at check posts. The HRCP says what has been reported appears to be only ‘the tip of the iceberg’ as a large number of families do not have access to any forum to protest. The report says that ‘the so-called transition to democracy has not yet started in the province as the government is being run the way it was being run since the 1999 military coup’ and that ‘it is the military that still calls the shots’.

The reality is that Balochistan has been a victim of repeated betrayals. It has been fed on hollow hopes and false promises. It has been engaged in dialogue only to be stabbed in the back with use of force. We have seen committee after committee being formed to resolve the problem peacefully but use of force has been what is finally relied on by the establishment. The country’s political leadership has publicly apologised to the Baloch people several times for the atrocities successive regimes have committed but the state policy towards this most resourceful but most backward province remains the same. The much trumpeted Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package is awaiting implementation and is already seen as too little too late. So how do we come out of this morass? Demilitarisation, as has been recommended by the HRCP, should be the first step towards a peaceful solution. The release of all political prisoners and an end to illegal detentions can also help restore some public trust. However, nothing will work if the state continues to deny the Baloch people their due share in the resources that Balochistan possesses.