Balochistan cries out for attention

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Islamabad: *
Sab say pahlay Pakistan......and the results start to show up......sab sey pahlay Baluchistan, sab say pahlay Sindh, and more to come...
[/QUOTE]

Sab say pahlay Islam then Pakistan...when Pakistan decides that sab say pahlay Pakistan and then Islam then Sindh, Baluchi and Pakhtun have every right to say sab say pahlay their interests because it was Islam that was used as the building block of this nation. They have no other reason to be part of Pakistan if Islam is not sab say pahlay.

I know it is hard to say sab say pahlay Islam in todays age, well, a mistake made by the forefathers of the nation of Pakistan. If you use Islam Islam Islam Islam Islam till the last drop and then all of the sudden a U-turn is made, well, you will break a lot of hearts.

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Just like Pakistan provides safe heavens for Taliban supporters who cause chaos in Afghanistan. What goes around comes around.

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by antiobl: *
Let me clarify. Afghan Tribal would truly love to see chaos in Balochistan. They would provide them safe havens.
[/QUOTE]

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Letter from today’s Dawn:

Provincial Autonomy

In a series of press conferences, Baloch leaders have accused the government of launching an ‘unannounced military operation’ in Balochistan. They have accused the army of conducing operations in the Mekran, Dera Bugti and Kohlu areas, employing jet fighters and helicopter gunships. There are reports that the operation is leading to serious violations of human rights. What’s more disturbing is the fact that the government has not made public the purpose of the action and the intended targets.

Balochistan is the most impoverished province. It has suffered at the hands of one regime after another. This has led to a sense of deprivation among its people.

Instead of dealing the situation in a political manner, successive governments have been using force against the Baloch to suppress their legitimate voice. At first, it was a struggle for independence. Later, the Baloch moderated their views and took a very practical approach. They started demanding ‘complete national autonomy’ within the federation of Pakistan, together with constitutional protection to provincial governments against any forcible action by the centre, as Z. A. Bhutto did in 1973.

History shows that time and again Baloch leaders have tried to reach a respectable compromise with Islamabad, but to no avail.

In a proposal to Gen Zia in 1980, Mir Bizenjo’s PNP, in addition to autonomy, had called for “reinforcement of the articles providing for equal representation of the four provinces in the Senate, and a concomitant strengthening of the Senate’s powers, as the key to successful federalism in Pakistan.”

Autonomy basically meant that the central government would have control over only four subjects: defence, foreign affairs, communications and currency. All other subjects would be controlled by the provincial governments.

In the preliminary report of a recently-conducted fact-finding mission in Balochistan, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported that "serious complaints about continued denial of provincial autonomy were received.

The people were quite agitated about their exclusion from decision-making at both federal and provincial levels and resistance to the LFO was vigorously expressed. Anxiety at erosion of rule of law, declining faith in the judicial system and procedure and difficulties in access to justice were quite pronounced."

In his book In Afghanistan’s Shadow: Baloch Nationalism and Soviet Temptations, Selig Harrison analyzes Balochistan problems as purely “political in character and are likely to be resolved only through major constitutional reforms.” In trying to find a way out, he suggests the world powers “should seek to further a liberalization of political life based on devolution of powers and resources to the provinces.”

KHURRAM MUSTIKHAN

Karachi

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dinn some balochi jackass try to hijack a plane a few years ago, and the plane landed in hyderabad, but the moron was told it was india..ppl acted as if they were indian until they hijackers came out of the plane and then 16 or 17 number kay littar say unn ki litrol hui thi, and then some chitrol too.

anyone got links on thats story.

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ahhh got it

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/s/w_asia/99804.stm

charyay kaheen kay..

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http://www.dawn.com/2004/text/top4.htm

Centre to negotiate with tribal chiefs: Rahim advises govt against army operation

By Qurban Ali Khushik

DADU, Aug 8: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that he has advised the centre not to launch an army operation in Balochistan and the federal government has agreed to hold negotiations with Baloch Sardars.

He was talking to newsmen at the residence of late G.M. Syed in Sann town after addressing a public meeting on Sunday. He said that on the directives of the president and the prime minister, Secretary-General of the National Security Council Tariq Aziz was holding talks with Nawab Akbar Bugti in Balochistan. He said that army operations never yielded any good result in the past.

He said that Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain wanted the Ponam’s general secretary and nationalist leader, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, to play a role in defusing the situation.

The chief minister said that Syed Jalal Shah had reacted positively to the suggestion. However, due to bad weather, Chaudhry Shujaat could not come to Sann to meet the nationalist leader, but he would be there soon, the chief minister said.

Speaking on the issue of dams, Arbab Rahim said he would not support Kalabagh dam, but he would like small dams to be built to store water for agriculture. He said that the Punjab government had agreed to follow the 1991 water accord which was in the best interest of Sindh.

He said that a meeting of the water committee, which he also attended, decided to abide by the water accord. He said that the PPP government in 1994 had introduced a ministerial accord on the issue of water which was against the interests of Sindh.

He said that Sindh was facing a severe water shortage because of wrong decisions taken by the PPP government. Dr Arbab Rahim said he was also against the Greater Thal Canal but the PPP government had supported the project in 1992.

He announced that new districts would be created soon in Dadu, Larkana and Jacobabad to provide facilities to the people. He said that the district of Umerkot would be revived. Sann, he announced, would be made a taluka.

He said that he had ordered an inquiry into the Sukkur Barrage issue and its report would be made public. Provincial Revenue Minister Imtiaz Shaikh said that Sindh government had got resolutions on the water issue and the NFC Award passed in the assembly and would stick to these resolutions.

http://www.dawn.com/2004/text/index.htm

Govt urged to consult all Balochistan ethnic groups

By Our Correspondent

QUETTA, Aug 8: The Pakistan Brohi Party on Sunday urged the government to invite Baloch, Brohi, Pukhtun and Hazara leaders of Balochistan to resolve the issues causing tension in Balochistan.

In a statement, the party’s president Imam Ali Brohi said its executive committee in a meeting had passed a resolution condemning the military operation and demanded that the government cease army actions immediately in order to settle the contentious issues through negotiations.

He said military actions in Balochistan would hurt the sentiments of people. Such operations should be stopped so that the people could participate in the Independence Day celebrations.

The party said the government instead of setting up cantonments should establish factories to provide employment to thousands of jobless youths. It said the people of Balochistan were loyal to Pakistan. It claimed that President Gen Pervez Musharraf got a large number of votes in the province during the referendum held for his presidency.

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Balochistan Jalta Hai To Pakistan Jalta Hai

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Off course. What Balochi people are doing to extinguish the fire in their backyards?

Are planning to sit around and let it burn? Or worse yet, add more fuel to it!

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Baloch have offered the government for negotiations. Baloch have said it time and time again that this is a political problem and the use of force will only worsen the situation. Don't you read newspapers?

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by shawaiz: *
Baloch have offered the government for negotiations. .....
[/QUOTE]

Bud! You talked about fire in Balochistan that will consume the whole Pakistan and I agreed.

Any sane person will try to fight the fire first and talk later. How can Baloch burn their own house, their own watan and expect Fed. Gov. to sit around negotiating?

I'd expect Baloch to bring water, put down the fire and then start negotiations for the development.

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by shawaiz: *
....that this is a political problem ....?
[/QUOTE]

It is a white lie. Who are you kidding? Your watan is burning due to militant problems. Militancy will invite police action, whereas politics invites negotiations.

And yes I do read newspapers, and Balochvoice too.

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[QUOTE]
Originally posted by antiobl: *
**Any sane person will try to fight the fire first and talk later.*
[/QUOTE]

If this is the true defitnition of a sane person then I end our little discussion here. Thanx

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by antiobl: *

Any sane person will try to fight the fire first and talk later.

[/QUOTE]

Seems like Shawaiz didn't know that "fighting the fire" is the same as "extinguishing the fire" when he said:

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by shawaiz: *

If this is the true defitnition of a sane person then I end our little discussion here. Thanx
[/QUOTE]

Hope this clarifies the matter.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by shawaiz: *
Don't blame the leaders or the people of Balochistan when the real problem lies in Islamabad. Why the army wants to build military cantonements in different areas of Balochistan and has already started grabbing land, the only hobby of na-pak army. Last year the provicial assembly of Balochistan had passed a resolution demanding that military cantonment should not be established in Gwadar, Dera Bugti and in other areas of Balochistan and the then chief minister opposed the resolution only then when the dictator threatened him with dismissal of his government. Baloch don't want to be the second class citizens in their own province, as Sindhis are.
[/QUOTE]

The cantonements are there for a purpose.. To provide secuirty. Besides they do say that where ever cantonements have been set up, progress was not far behind. Also, you have to be deaf and dumb to not realize that exploitation the Balochis have to suffer at the hands of their so called leaders. These leader are to busy trying to keep their subjects in the dark ages to ever allow there to be any progress. The average Balochi is to poor to be politically active. Poor people only care about the basic needs being met. I suspect most of the talk is from the tribal dictators that run that province.
Recently, on a call in program on Ptv, a Balochi politician hd to shut his mouth when furious FELLOW Balochi called in to complain of just this, exploitation by their tribal lords.
While I agree that Islamabad is responsible for a lot, they are now starting to invest in Balochistan.. So they Balochis shouldnt be talking at this point.

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As a Pakistani I would like to see all areas invested in, developed and move forward. But is this what the tribal leaders want in Balochistan? Will they allow scholls for both sexes or will they be burned down?

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antibol:

oh sorry, I misread your previous post.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by shawaiz: *
antibol:

oh sorry, I misread your previous post.
[/QUOTE]

No problem dude! We are on the same side here.

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[QUOTE]
pakpatriot1: The cantonements are there for a purpose.. To provide secuirty.
[/QUOTE]

At first the dictator should hand over the power to the elected representatives of the country and the military go back to barracks for good. Provinces should be given complete autonomy promised in the constitution of 1973 and all the amendments made by the dictator should be rescinded. And after that this matter of cantonments should be discussed in the national assembly of Pakistan and the provincial assembly of Balochistan, and if both the assemblies pass the bill, we will accept their decision.

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In reply to

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by pakpatriot1: *The cantonements are there for a purpose.. To provide secuirty.
[/QUOTE]

shawaiz said

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by shawaiz: *

  1. the dictator should hand over the power to the elected representatives of the country and
  2. the military go back to barracks for good.
  3. Provinces should be given complete autonomy promised in the constitution of 1973 and
  4. all the amendments made by the dictator should be rescinded.
  5. And after that this matter of cantonments should be discussed in the national assembly of Pakistan and
  6. the provincial assembly of Balochistan, and
  7. if both the assemblies pass the bill,
  8. we will accept their decision. [/QUOTE]

Dude in other words you are saying you want to burn Balochistan for another 50 years. By then Taliban and OBL will be roasting Balochis in the fire of terrorism.

We had Balochi PM for 2 years. Balochi sardars were so thrilled to have him as a leader that the whole Balochistan became peaceful and free of anarchy. Sui gas pipelines were safe and Chinese engineers at Gawadar used to play soccer all day long. Law-enforcement folks were enjoying sheesh kabobs three times a day, and milk was flowing in Quetta.

Suddenly big bad army decided that they want to have Balochi kabobs and made a move to set up cantonments. Bad move! Very bad!

Now Balochi sardars are going boom all over the state.

Down with Boomaniacs!

39

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by shawaiz: *

At first the dictator should hand over the power to the elected representatives of the country and the military go back to barracks for good. Provinces should be given complete autonomy promised in the constitution of 1973 and all the amendments made by the dictator should be rescinded. And after that this matter of cantonments should be discussed in the national assembly of Pakistan and the provincial assembly of Balochistan, and if both the assemblies pass the bill, we will accept their decision.
[/QUOTE]

I agree you have a good point, but because of the sensitive nature of sites such as sui gas and other pipelines, which provide gas to much of pak, and the ongoing gawadar project, we cannot simply let these places remain unprotected, you have to agree to that atleast.