The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is said to be seriously contemplating convening a “grand Jirga” in Balochsitan, in which all political parties of the province will participate.
According to party sources, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will preside over the Jirga and its suggestions will be presented in Parliament and incorporated in the party’s manifesto for the next general elections.
Leader of Opposition Ch Nisar Ali Khan confirmed the development, but said that it was premature to leak the main points of the jirga. However, he added that it will be fruitful for the Baloch people.
‘APC for political gains’
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the federal government is planning to call All Parties Conference (APC) just for political mileage.
“The time has come to address the grievances of Balochistan practically instead of issuing statements from the bunker of the Presidency” he said, while addressing the Punjab Assembly on Thursday.
He said that the injustices Balochistan has faced are a massive injury to Pakistan, which now “needs antibiotics”.
He urged the speaker of the assembly to constitute a committee, of all parties, which should draft a resolution condemning all military operations in Balochsitan.
He added that a comprehensive resolution should convey the message that Punjab will not rest until all grievances of Balochistan are addressed.
Party Policy
Before leaving for Saudi Arabia on February 22, Pakistan Muslim League chief Nawaz Sharif announced a two-point condition over his party’s participation in the All Parties Conference the government is likely to call over the Balcohistan issue.
Sharif said that the APC would be useless unless killers of Baloch leader Nawaz Akbar Bugti are arrested and Baloch missing persons recovered.
A few members of PML-N’s think tank, who belong to Balochistan, have advised the party leadership not to participate in the APC as both stakeholders – Baloch separatists and the army – will not be in attendance. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan told The Express Tribune that PML-N has a one-point agenda for the solution of Balochistan, which is to immediately withdraw the army from the province.
PML-N’s MPA Sher Ali Gorchnai, while speaking on the floor of the Punjab Assembly, alleged that a military operation was still on in Balochistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (18)
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Jirga or no jirga, will the benefits trickle down to the ordinary Baloch and will he be heard ?
Or the opportunists will make gains as usual !!!
I have not seen him taking any bold step. Nawaz Sharif only see public opinion and always go with point scoring approach. Killer of Nawab Bugti is also our first demand but it can be accomplish with show of unity of political powers. You shook hand with PPP on 20th amendment that suite you but don't want to hurt your ego here.. By only demand and sitting in drawing room, we couldn't get his killer.. Sharif Sb, please come out of your comfort zone and be part of the public/street politics. We will not vote you unless you take piratical steps.
I agree PMLN's sudden rising concerns after rejecting proposal for APC match with recent meetings of PTI officials with Talal Bugti and other Baloch leadership. It seems more like political point scoring than real business.
shame on this guy for bringing personal grudges before National interests
Great step Mian Sahib !
His stance is that of Baloch leaders... Support it! it should be balochis making decision about baluchistan... will anyone allow sindh to take decision regarding punjabs development or vice versa ! ? NO... never!
Mr SHARIF also concentrate on badin children are died due to hunger
@Ali: Whats every body doing so why not N-league
@John B: ok american, keep your suggestion to yourself, we pakistanis are better at handly our own country problem,
you should first give independence to the six state asking for independence from USA.
thank you and no thank you.
One point agenda of Nawaz Sharif .........arresting the people responsible for Mr. Bugti's death without understanding the reall issues/ground realities. It seems his only agenda is to point scoring against army. while he forgets that when there is war you kill or get killed.
Ch. Nisar, the Leader of Opposition just yesterday suggested grand jirga as the only solution of Baluchistan problem. And today Mian saheb saying exactly the opposite. Who of the 2 is joking. Or perhaps Mian sb. intending to tell Ch Nisar, "Tum Kaun Hotay Ho."
we don't need more of these tribal jirgas.we need rule of law,not tribal justice or panchayats.and mr.sharif should for once in his life dare to condemn the deliberate murders of punjabi civilians in balochistan.he has kept completely quiet over their murders,perhaps it doesn't get him votes in the next elections.
This will help. At least the issue will be discussed by all the Baloch stack holders with the main stream political party on which they have confidence. Good Idea!!!
The entire approach of both parties are wrong: Neither the ruling nor the opposition party has the right to preside over the issues of Balochistan. They should only facilitate the Balochistan jirga, and let the Balochs fight over for weeks and come up with a solution, requests, demands, and suggestions. The rest should stay away.
As long as their requests are within the constitution of PAK (the one and only criterion) the federation should sign on the dotted line and move on.
PAK cannot expect Balochs( sardar or not) to be satisfied with 2% royalty, while the federation and Chinese investors claiming the rest.
The remaining federation should buy from Baloch provincial government and collect revenue from investment on Balochistan.
Political point scoring near election.
One point agenda of Nawaz Sharif .........arresting the people responsible for Mr. Bugti's death. It seems his only agenda is to point scoring against army. while he forgets that when there is war you kill or get killed.