Balochistan on fire

Balochistan issue is one of those issues which all the governments of Pakistan until now have failed to resolve. Killings have been a common phenomenon in this longstanding yet unresolved issue. Recently provincial capital Quetta and another major city, Mastung, have witnessed the worst carnages that left more than 200 people dead with many more injured. Families of victims are either given compensation or some government leader is sent to express grief or condole over the killings. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf one month back announced imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan keeping in view the deteriorating security situation across province and failure of provincial government to address it. For the time being it was much needed and timely action yet this could in no manner be the long lasting solution to this outstanding issue. Despite being rich in mineral resource, Balochistan has always been on the last of every government’s priority list. Every government, be it democratic or dictatorship, has completely failed to find an everlasting solution to Balochistan. Sectarian killings have always been witnessed in the province but since last few years this has gained momentum. Not only killings but issue of missing persons has also been one of the important and most heated topics since last 2-3 years. Families of missing persons spent many days and nights in front of parliament but no leader paid special attention towards them after which Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had to finally intervene. Is this the way security situations across globe are managed? This is the responsibility of the governments and elected leaders to resolve important issues. Recently the killings of Hazara Shiite community people have increased. Not only in Balochistan but in Karachi as well the lives of Shiites are in danger. After every major incident of killings in Balochistan, Lashkar-e Jhangvi immediately accepts responsibility. This terrorist outfit was created by Pakistan’s own agencies at the time of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Taliban too has been the product of our people but today they are becoming the most dangerous and powerful entity. All parties’ conference was recently held to discuss the issue of holding peace talks with Taliban. It was decided that the tribal jirga would be given more powers than before. We hope that this would resolve at least some part of security issue. After dissolution of Balochistan Assembly, a resolution was passed declaring governor’s rule as unlawful. Chief Minister Aslam Raisani did not even express grief over the killings of Hazara community people in February last. Aslam Raisani sees some foreign hand behind the killings in Balochistan. Not only the provincial chief minister blames secret hand but most of the leaders of federal capital also see Balochistan situation as a conspiracy against Pakistan. Today the entire nation is confused and is unable to understand that if a secret hand is involved in Balochistan unrest then why the people’s government i.e., Pakistan Peoples Party during its five-year tenure has failed to stop that hand? Interior Minister Rehman Malik even says that Indian intelligence agency RAW is behind Balochistan unrest then why didn’t he raise this issue with the Indian leadership during his recent visit to India? Keeping aside interior minister, who according to the recent statement of TTP is not taken seriously, President Asif Ali Zardari or Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar could have raised this most important issue with India but it seems as if no government leader is serious in getting the Balochistan issue resolved. If government of Pakistan has evidences regarding RAW’s involvement in the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan then it could have moved to international court of justice but no such step was taken in the past nor would it be taken in the future because our government is still uncertain about the reason behind Balochistan issue. Today, when the countries across globe are developing their economies we Pakistanis have engaged ourselves in useless debates. Security issues are prevailing in different countries across globe but their governments are handling them with great care and are taking concrete steps to resolve them. Similarly, solid steps should also be taken by the government of Pakistan. But the most worrisome thing is that elections are round the corner. By mid of March, assemblies will be dissolved and caretaker setup will be in place. Hence it is the most important and golden time for Pakistan and Pakistanis. Instead of surrendering, it is required that nation casts vote to the most genuine leadership and not to those families who have been given chances again and again but they after coming in power have forgot their pledges and indulged themselves in looting and plundering. It is important this time that competent leadership is brought in power. After its coming in power, it is required that issues of Balochistan and Karachi are given the top most priority. At one time, Swat’s unrest was hiked. Not only national but international leaders were also very much concerned over the unrest in Swat. After seeing the increase in terrorist activities, Pakistan Army was handed over the responsibility of Swat which like always did not let down the nation and restored peace in the Swat. Today, when there is increase in sectarianism, killings of Hazara community people is on the peak, unrest is prevailing not only in Balochistan but Karachi and many other parts of the country are also under this fire, it is high time that services of Pakistan Army are once again taken, which possesses the most modern weapons and are capable enough to control the situation. Perhaps the next government in power should consider this solution and for once give chance to Pakistan Army. Like Karachi that is the economic hub of Pakistan, peace in Balochistan is also very important. This is because the province is rich in mineral resources and if given special attention, it could help in bringing out Pakistan out of prevailing economic problems. Peace in Balochistan could thus be a turning point in Pakistan’s history and could lead us towards prosperity.