Is Balochistan ready for elections?

EDITORIAL :DAILY TIMES The three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan has shown concern over the ability of both the federal and the provincial government in conductng the elections in Balochistan. The political situation in the province does not guarantee a peaceful campaign, leave alone polling, whoch generally is considered a D-day for the contesting parties. Balochistan is engulfed in a myriad issues, all so heinous in nature that unless the current repressive policies are reversed, peaceful elections will remain a distant dream. The Frontier Corps (FC), considered the source of all that is wrong in the province, has recently been given unfettered police powers. How should one interpret this decision, when even the Supreme Court (SC) has said there is enough evidence to prove that the FC has been pursuing a policy of kill and dump against dissidents. This can either be considered an act of ignorance by the government or sheer inability to understand the gravity of the situation. Either way, it is the people of the province who are paying the cost. As far as the provincial government is concerned, it has been a failure par excellence, a conglomerate of money minters, considering themselves beyond the power of the law and accountability. The manner in which Aslam Raisani ruled the province for nearly five years, and the way he has been tolerated and allowed to wreak havoc on the lives of the people is indeed no way to handle sectarianism, terrorism, nationalism, kidnapping for ransom and enforced disappearances, all rampant across the province. Even though the Assembly is dysfunctional in the wake of Governor’s rule, peace is still a rare commodity. The SC, like any serious institution or person in the country, is worried about the ability of the province to hold free and fair elections. Dera Bugti is simmering in crisis. Close to two hundred thousand people of the Bugti tribe are living in camps as IDPs. They are not enrolled as voters. The main worry of the SC is that if the Election Commission of Pakistan is not given a free hand to register all legitimate voters of Balochistan, the holding of the election would be marred. The election is perhaps the only hope for change for the Baloch people. This change will be further enhanced if the true representatives of the province, the leaders hiding in the mountains or abroad are talked to. Their involvement in mainstream politics is all the more imperative to bring about a truly representative government in Balochistan. Unfortunately, there has been no movement toward this end by the ruling political forces of the country. The nationalist guerrillas in the province would keep fighting unless their concerns are addressed, i.e. redressing past grievances and rights for the future. No matter how much we deny it, the truth is that these people have been denied resources and power to choose a path of of their liking. Then we call it a federal state. Balochistan is perhaps a prime example of going against the spirit of federalism. The SC has reiterated, as it has been doing for ages now, that the missing persons must be produced. Just like any other hearing, this too ended with the law enforcers promising to do the needful. The government has to wake up now. There is no need to reiterate the importance of these elections for Pakistan and its stability. Law and order is the prerequisite for peaceful and credible polling. Will the government put its act together wisely to address such an important issue? An answer to this will tell whether Balochistan is ready for elections or not.