| by Prof. Ali Sukhanver
( October 23,
2012, Islamabad, Sri Lanka Guardian) A sense of insecurity, a feeling of
deprivation and a scenario coloured with dejection; what else the people of
Balochistan have in their life. Countless targeted killings mingled with a
continuous series of missing persons have added more miseries to the lives of
the Baloch people. The situation is neither encouraging nor hopeful but the
Supreme Court of Pakistan under the magnanimous command of the Chief Justice
Iftikhar Chaudhry is doing all its best to resolve this issue which has been
ever most painful since after the creation of Pakistan. It is being hoped that
things would get alright and the people of Balochistan would also live a life
full of peace and prosperity. The situation in Balochistan could have never
been so painful if the people of Balochistan were treated on the basis of
justice and equality and given the same rights as given to the people of other
provinces.
No roads, no
bridges, no industry and no development work; that was the situation in
Balochistan just a few years back. The helpless people of Balochistan were
searching for dry wood to light their burners when people of other provinces
were enjoying winter season in their gas-heated cozy rooms without realizing
this blessing of Sui-gas was a gift from Balochistan. The youth of Balochistan
had to wander here and there aimlessly in search of a job in other provinces of
Pakistan. Precious minerals-bearing
mountains were handed over to foreign investors and the unfortunate Balochs
were deprived of any benefit they could get from them. In such a precarious
situation what else must have been the reaction of the people of Balochistan;
they could have done nothing but protest over this injustice and
discrimination. Thank God Almighty that the Pakistan army realized the gravity
of situation and chalked out a development program out of its own resources for
the betterment and prosperity of Balochistan. This magnanimous contribution in
the development of the Province includes development in all sectors regarding education,
health, mining, provision of jobs in Army, infrastructural development and
other socio-economic development. Various schools and colleges were established
under the control of Pak Army and Frontier Corps and more than 18000 Baloch
students were provided with the opportunity of getting education in these
educational institutions. The Pakistan army managed to facilitate these
students with free boarding and medical facilities along with regular monthly
stipends. Moreover Pak Army took initiative to revive the Chamalang Coal Mines
project. This project had ever been a disputed project since early 80s. The
revival of the Chamalang Coal Mines Project brought an industrial revolution in
Balochistan and more than 73500 individuals of Luni and Marri tribes got job
opportunities at the project whereas more than 2000 individuals belonging to
different tribes were employed there as guards to provide security to the
project’s installations.
Unfortunately,
few of the Baloch sardars did not feel happy over the efforts the Pakistan army
did for the people of Balochistan. They
feared that such efforts would prove a challenge to their authority and mar
their popularity and position among the Baloch people. They felt frightened
that such efforts by the army would compel the people to think about the
indifferent role which these sardars had been playing since long. That is why
they started a campaign against the army and unluckily the anti-Pakistan
elements took full advantage of their rage and fury in this situation. If these
Baloch sardars had spent their precious time in making plans for the betterment
of their people and in doing sincere efforts to materialize these plans , they
might not have needed to blame baselessly the Pakistan army. It is very much
true that the security agencies have nothing to do with the development
projects in any country; opening schools and colleges, beginning industrial
projects and making new hospitals is not the job of security forces but they
have to take care of all these matters when the political governments fail in
doing so. Even in Balochistan developmental work must be the sole
responsibility of the Provincial government which is empowered to initiate
projects regarding new hospitals, schools, roads and improvement in the living
conditions of people. Provincial government’s failure in this regard provided
an opportunity of coming forward to the security forces. The political
government could have won the hearts of the Baloch people if it had performed
its duty in the real sense.
Whatever be the
circumstances and reasons if the situation in Balochistan is getting worse day
by day, it is simply because of the inefficiency and inefficacy of the
political government. Today there is a lot of complexity and complication in
scenario. The Baloch sardars are annoyed with the army because army has exposed
their incompetence and inefficiency through its development projects for the
betterment of common people. The army is not willing to leave the people of
Balochistan in lurch and on the other hand the foreign intelligence agencies
are making hay because sun is shining. The situation demands very serious
attention and a strong determination. Things could take a very positive change
if the sardars realize what their duty is and what their people expect from
them.
 A sense of insecurity, a feeling of deprivation and a ...){kind=link}