National conference on Balochistan: Leaders urge end to garrison reign

Adopt resolution; stand united against military solution to Balochistan issue.

ISLAMABAD:

Only one issue can possibly bring Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif together on one stage.

Unlike the potent schisms present in other issues, all political forces of the country stood unified on a single platform on Saturday for the cause of Balochistan.

A conference, titled, “Baloch­istan Issue and Its Solution,” saw a unanimously-passed resolution calling for an immediate stop to the practice of enforced disappearances, extra judicial killings, torture and dumping of bodies.

The conference was given extra weight since it was attended by the top leaders of all major political parties – a possibility given that the event was organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, instead of a political body.

Leaders presented their own solutions in impassioned addresses – which culminated in a resolution condemning the abduction, torture and killing of the people of Balochistan and demanding that the politics of garrison in the province should be replaced by civilian authorities that genuinely represent the will of the people. It also demanded an open trial for the murderers of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

Nawaz Sharif

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif suggested the formation of a commission to address Balochistan people’s concerns – particularly to bring the military establishment under the control of a democratic set-up. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief also demanded that former military ruler Pervez Musharraf be presented before parliament for trial.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s concern on the rising number of ‘missing’ persons’ cases in Balochistan, PML-N chief Nawaz questioned: “Who is responsible for picking them up? There’s no respect for Pakistan’s Constitution and law [in Balochistan].”

Nawaz said it was the right of the people of Balochistan to rebel against the forces (the military establishment). “We should not have any complaints against rebels, but rather with those who turn them into rebels … the way Akbar Bugti’s body was desecrated, why wouldn’t his heirs rebel?”

Recalling his time in jail, the PML-N chief claimed that a fake case was initiated against him and that he was treated similar to the people of Balochistan. “I felt like I was a spy of some enemy state …
I’m surprised I didn’t turn into a rebel.”

Imran Khan

While terming a military solution for the Balochistan issue a “cancer”, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan urged for a 10-year development programme for the province, similar to the East and West Germany model.  He added that it was necessary to announce “amnesty for all those (Baloch) who are declared terrorists.”

Khan said that to bring dictators to book, rulers must step away from their personnel agendas as a precondition and follow the example of the Turkish prime minister for a trial of military dictators.

Raza Rabbani

A central leader of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, suggested the formation of a “Grand National Alliance” on the principle of dialogue, rule of law and autonomy (DRA).  Rabbani also emphasised on an alliance between the judiciary and parliament.

The senator also admitted that the Balochistan issue could not be solved even after the passage of the 18th Amendment. He added, however, that one could not deny its positive implications.

Haider Abbas Rizvi

Muttahida Qaumi Movement MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi warned that, if not taken seriously, external forces could pursue their vested interests with greater and greater ease in province. In an effort to emphasise the gravity of the matter, he said that the Balochistan issue should be resolved on the basis of the slogan: ‘now or never’.

Asma Jahangir

Asma Jahangir, former president of Supreme Court Bar Association, remarked that the solution of Balochistan issue rested with the political parties and they should take immediate initiatives in this regard. She also found solace in holding of free and fair elections under the supervision of an independent Chief Election Commissioner.

Mushahid Hussain

PML-Quaid’s Mushahid Hussain said that parliament should be given three months to find a permanent solution for the Balochistan issue.

The conference was also addressed by representatives of the Jamaat-i-Islami,  Awami National Party and local leaders of the province.

Resolution

The resolution further stated that following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, an effective mechanism should be set up to ensure that all natural resources in Balochistan are under the control of the people of the province.

Furthermore, all those citizens of the country who are long settled in Balochistan, irrespective of their language caste or belief, should be equally respected and their social and economic rights should also be protected.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2012.