ISLAMABAD:
While accusations continue to fly from all sides on the Balochistan crisis, a strategic solution has been proposed to try to help settle the issue.
In a sweeping proposal, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has suggested to political parties that increased electoral representation could help assuage the sense of deprivation from among the people of the province
Despite covering over 40 per cent of the country’s land mass, Balochistan has only 14 representatives in the lower house under the existing formula in which National Assembly seats are determined on the basis of population. Punjab, the largest province in terms of population, has 148.
Two measures have been proposed so far. The first one deals with allowing at least one constituency per district, while the other deals with relaxing the population criteria specifically for Balochistan. As a result of these measures, the commission intends to double Balochistan’s constituencies from 14 to 28.
The province currently has 30 districts. However, each of its constituencies covers over two districts, stretching for hundreds of kilometers, given the sparse population.
The proposal, given by the ECP secretary, was first discussed by the members of the commission and then presented to political parties during a consultative meeting on September 27. The meeting was attended by 15 mainstream political parties.
According to the proposal, all political parties of the country, including those which have no representation in parliament, will be consulted on the matter.
ECP meeting
During the meeting, the Talal Akbar Bugti-led Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) warned that it would boycott the next general elections if the law and order situation in the province was not improved.
Similar messages have been given by a number of nationalist groups in the province. Former chief minister of the province Nawab Akhtar Mengal has also stated on a number of occasions that participation in the next elections under the prevailing underrepresentation was not being looked forward to by Baloch leaders.
If the proposal for increased Balochistan seats materialises, a constitutional amendment would be necessary, which provides for the delimitation of constituencies — last carried out in 2002.
According to the ECP’s minutes, the measure was received well by the political parties, but a final decision on the matter has not been taken yet.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2012.
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Unless the seats adjustment between Pashtuns and others are not settled, any adventure may misfire, especially the District based formula. They have already robbed Pashtuns in this gimmick. Such formulas will force Pashtuns to look the other way round. There has to be one set of rules for every one in the Federation. Baloch are already having more than its fair share in the province. They have more seats than their due in Provincial Assembly. They are holding all the constitutional and administrative top jobs. They are running the show, yet they project them selves as deprived. They are slaughtering Pashtuns, Punjabis, Hazara, FC, Police and unconcerned travelers yet they are crying for international help. So it should be very clear, that if the Baloch is to be appeased, it should not be at the cost of Pashtuns. Courts have already shown that killings of Pashtuns, Hazaras and others are not worthy of judicial accountability
Unless Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party of Mehmood Khan Achakzai is involved in increasing the seat formula, no solution will be acceptable to the Pashtuns of Balochistan. Increased electoral representation on district basis will be resisted by the Pashtuns which would further deprive them of their constitutional rights. The election commission of Pakistan wants to tell the Pashtuns that TWO PASHTUNS ARE EQUAL TO ONE BALOCH. No way.. Fakhru should think before leaping as this will further the sense of deprivation among the Pashtuns who are already under represented in the province.
The district formula will not be acceptable to the Pashtun populace of Balochistan, who have other wise been deprived of their equitable rights. This will further alienate Pashtuns who are all set to declare a separate province in Balochistan. Despite 48% of Population, their seats in Provincial Assembly are just 20%. All the constitutional appointments have been given to Baloch / Brahvi. To appease “Naraz Baloch” brothers they are sacrificing Pashtuns. This formula has already deprived Pashtuns Children of their seats in educational institutions and jobs in government sector. If the same formula of districts is applied to Parliamentary seats also, you will see Balochistan growing in Districts from present thirty to fifty soon. This will amount to disenfranchising Pashtuns in Balochistan.