Speaking at the launch of a book on Balochistan, Sardar Akhtar Mengal has said that only way forward for peace in Balochistan is the acceptance of six-point demands of Baloch people. Only then Baloch people can trust federation and come to negotiating table, he added.
He was speaking at the launch of a book organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Monday. The book titled as "Balochistan: Azadi Sai Subai Bai-Ikhtiari Tak" was written by eminent writer and senior advisor SDPI, Ahmad Salim who has been conferred with Presidential Pride of Performance by Government of Pakistan and Bangladesh Freedom Award for his excellent contributions in the field of literature and human rights.
Speaking on the occasion, Mengal, Chief of Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) appreciated the book which according to him has truly documented the history of Balochistan. He was of the view that Balochistan was repeatedly invaded not only by military dictators but civilian democratic governments as well. He was of the view that instead of addressing root cause of Balochistan problem, government is suggesting fancy projects for Balochistan to pacify people. He explained that operation was still in progress in parts of Balochistan and according to human rights report, in last 25 days of current government, 65 persons had gone missing while 13 mutilated bodies were recovered.
He presented the six points demand of Baloch people, which according to him are under the constitution and essential to bring peace in Balochistan. He demanded that all military operations against the Baloch should immediately be suspended. He asked to produce all missing persons before a court of law. He condemned the killing of Baloch people and demanded to prosecute the persons responsible for inhuman torture, killing and dumping of dead bodies of Baloch political leaders and activists. Sardar Akhtar Mengal also demanded to disband proxy death squads operating under the supervision of establishment in the province. He also called for giving complete freedom to political parties and rehabilitate thousands of displaced Baloch living in appalling condition.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmad Salim narrated brief history of federating units in Pakistan and said that unfortunately federation in Pakistan has a week grounding when some federating units at the time of independence had forced annexation including Qalat. Also the democratically-elected provincial government in a smaller federating unit NWFP was toppled only after 7 days of independence on 22 August 1947. He said that dominance of Punjab over affairs of the country was established since then and continued till now which has weakened the federation in Pakistan. He was of the view that there was no doubt that resources of smaller provinces were misappropriated and time has come that Punjab play its positive role in addressing the concerns of Baloch brother and bring peace in the province.
Jan Achakzai, Spokesperson, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F) said that Balochistan has been treated unfairly by the federal government and now the only way forward is through political realisation of actual problem especially at center. I.A. Rehman, Secretary General, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that ironically, Balochistan and KPK have to face injustice and federation showed a very irresponsible and insensitive behaviour. He said that now a political solution is required and the new government must be very careful in selecting ministers who have the trust of Baloch people.
Senior Political and Defence Analyst, Lieutenant General Talat Masood (Retd), said that unfortunately till now, military was used by federation to counter insurgency, sectarian differences, political, social and economic problems in Balochistan instead of a political discourse. He said that geostrategic location and natural resources of Balochistan are a blessing and the only way to utilise these resources would be through bringing peace in Balochistan.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Dr Abid Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI said that Pakistani federation had failed to treat all units with equity which has aggravated situation especially in Balochistan. He, however, showed satisfaction over the fact that BNP Mengal despite having serious reservation over 11 May elections is taking part in political process. He added that Balochistan has the worst situation in human development and added that sustainable peace not possible unless traditional paradigm of state security is reversed in favour of individual security particularly in Balochistan.-PR
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