No need for large-scale operation in Balochistan: Bugti

LAHORE:“Balochistan is the largest and resource-rich province of Pakistan. It is also the most backward region of the country. People there have been facing political, economic and human rights problems for decades”.

These views were expressed at a seminar “Issues of Balochistan — have they been solved?” The seminar, organised jointly by Mir Khalilur Rehman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers) and Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS), was chaired by Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Chief Minister of Balochistan. The opening address was given by Malik Aziz Ahmed Awan, Chief Organiser PESS.

The guests of honor and speakers included Lt-Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch (former Governor Balochistan), Lt-Gen (retd) M Afzal (former Chairman NDMA), Lt-Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum (President Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society), Dr Samia Raheel Qazi (Vice President Women's Circle Jamaat-e-Islami), Prof Dr Hafiz Zafar Ahmed (Principal Hailey College of Commerce, Punjab University), Prof Dr Ehsan Malik (former Chairman MBA Department, Punjab University), Dur-e-Fatima (National College of Art) and Inayatullah Khan (Baloch student of Hailey College of Commerce).

The host was Wasif Nagi (Chairman Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Memorial Society. Addressing the gathering, Balochistan CM Sarfaraz Bugti said Balochistan has been chosen to break Pakistan. “Our forces will deal with the terrorists. This is not a big problem. The term "disgruntled Baloch" is not ours, but that of confused intellectuals of Punjab”, he observed.

Balochistan CM said terrorists want to spread chaos, and TTP and TTP have nothing to do with Islam. He said he stands with those women whose sons and husbands were taken off of the buses and killed, and he will not stand with a woman who follows a specific agenda in the guise of human rights.

CM Bugti said whenever the terrorists given a chance, they reorganised, as they want to break Pakistan with the force of gun. The fight was started by them, not the State, he said, adding the solution to Balochistan problems is to provide facilities to the young generation.

Balochistan CM said Army Chief has spoken from the heart about suppressing terrorism in Balochistan. “They want to break two or three percent of the country, which is not possible. There is no need for a large-scale military operation in Balochistan”, he opined, adding, “An intelligence-based operation is needed, and it is ongoing”.

Lt-Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch said this is not just a matter of Balochistan, but of entire country. The Balochistan issues are not newly-created, he said, remembering these started in 1948 and are multiplying.

“The purpose of terrorism is to create chaos. The same people are selectively killing government officials, especially Punjabis”, he noted. The terrorism incidents have increased now compared to several previous years, he said.

Lt-Gen (retd) Qadir Baloch said the sad thing is that women are involved in the terrorist activities taking place in Balochistan. ‘These are not illiterate people, but educated ones. These people do not belong to any religion. They target innocent people and personnel of intelligence agencies”, he said.

Qadir Baloch said terrorists use many tactics to spread chaos. Holding sit-ins is one of them to create more problems. “We should not just talk about the problems of Balochistan, but should also try to solve them. The political parties in Balochistan should never raise slogans of independence or separation”, he urged.

Lt-Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum said Pakistan armed forces actively participate in the socio-economic projects in the country. These include projects in the sectors of education, health and economy, he said, adding the army cooperated with the federal and provincial governments in completion of these projects.

The retired Army General said, “The special focus of Pakistan Army is on the merged regions of KPK and affected areas of Balochistan. Comprehensive steps have been taken by the army to provide educational facilities to affected areas of Balochistan, he said.

Projects related to roads and bridges have also been completed in Balochistan with the cooperation of the army, he reminded. He said work is underway on 104 different projects for provision of education, water and employment to the people of Gwadar. “There is a need to understand why these problems arose, and should work for their solution”, he said.

Malik Aziz Ahmed Awan praised the role of Army Chief in putting the country on the path of development. “The way Chief of Army Staff worked with the government to improve the economic situation of country is an example. We stand with the people of Balochistan”, he assured.

Raees Ansari said we should pay attention to what is happening in Balochistan. “We all need to be on the same page. The tribal elders in the province should think together to arrive at a consensus solution of the problems”, he said.

Education should be promoted so that the coming generations understand these problems and find solution, he said, adding we not only have to strengthen ourselves, but also need to correct ourselves.

Dr Samia Raheel Qazi said all the provinces of Pakistan are important in their own right, but as Balochistan is rich in mineral resources, enemies of Pakistan keep carrying out terrorist activities there. “The province is also suffering from many problems that need to be resolved”, she said.

Uzma Kardaar said enforced disappearances are a serious problem in Balochistan. Several Baloch people, including students, teachers and human rights activists, have been missing for years. Protests are being organised to highlight this issue, but the protesters are arrested, she said.

Enforced disappearances should be ended and those responsible should be brought to justice, she emphasised. Prof Dr Hafiz Zafar Ahmed said Balochistan is rich in gas, coal, copper and other minerals, but the benefits of these resources do not reach local population. Gas is extracted from Balochistan, but many areas of the province are deprived of this facility. This increases the sense of deprivation and distrust of State among the local population, he said.

“The right of the local population to natural resources of Balochistan should be recognised and their participation in its development should be ensured”, he said. Prof Dr Ehsan Malik said lack of basic facilities like education, health and clean water in the province is a major problem. According to the United Nations, Balochistan has the lowest literacy rate, and highest infant mortality rate, he reminded. Due to limited job opportunities, the youth are either forced to migrate or are attracted to extremism, he said. “Priority should be given to providing basic facilities so that quality of life of people improves”, he stressed.

Humaira Khan said Balochistan has unique culture and history. “It is important to understand the historical issues and aspirations of Baloch people. The region is rich in natural resources, but there has been concerns about their fair distribution and benefits”, she said.

Balochistan is facing challenges in terms of development and infrastructure, Humaira said, adding these issues must be addressed to improve the lives of people. Open dialogue, as communication and reconciliation are essential to find a lasting solution, she observed.

Wasif Nagi said the political process in Balochistan is dominated by certain families and the establishment, which has limited public participation. Unilateral policies have created frustration and distrust among the people that leads to law and order situation, he remarked. The local people should be included in the political process and their democratic rights should be respected, he urged. -Report Eisha Asif