The situation in Balochistan is so hideously violent and complex that it becomes impossible to ascertain who is responsible for any single attack. Such is the case with the August 28 attack on a train that left three people dead. All we know so far is that armed gunmen started firing at the train, which was headed from Quetta to Peshawar and that FC personnel were on the train. Add to that the fact that the three dead were from Punjab and one would conclude that the attackers were probably Baloch separatists.
There is a lot of sympathy for the cause of the Baloch rebels but their tactics leave a lot to be desired. It is undeniable that they have been targeting the Punjabi community, seeing them as interlopers occupying their land. As justified as the grievances of the Baloch may be, this kind of collective guilt must not be allowed to stand. It is also undeniable that the Baloch feel alienated in their own land but the fight must be restricted to one for greater rights, not outright separation.
At the same time, there is no doubting that the centre needs to do more to bring the Baloch into the political mainstream. If more rights are given to the Baloch and they are allowed a greater share in the province’s resources, then support for the separatists will slowly melt away. There needs to be a genuine effort to address the grievances of the people of the province. Till this happens, the situation will only worsen.
For now there is no conceivable way to get the army and paramilitary organisations to withdraw from Balochistan. As the latest attack showed, the situation is far too tense for such a hands-off approach. Many of the Punjabis residing in Balochistan have been there for generations and simply cannot be asked to resettle based on the whims of a violent subset of the Baloch population. A solution to the Balochistan problem, as we can see, is as distant as ever. The word compromise is on no one’s lips, which makes it even harder to exclusively blame any one side for the violence.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2011.
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The Hazaras are very civilized, educated and modern nation. They got tremendous adaptability and strength to survive in unbearable situation. The equally know how to fight and subdue opponents. In Pakistan their contribution in all walks of life is a matter of pride. You can see them in army, air force, civil bureaucracy, engineers, fine architects, artists, singers, sportsmen, social workers. We should exploit them fairly. Their physical and mental strength can be used to subdue our enemies. They can be used to suppress terrorism. They are technical and articulate in dialogues.Use them fairly, they will join your shoulder in any fierce fight against any fickle enemy of the world instead of pushing them to corner saying they are sweepers of Afghans.They can command even an unruly and stubborn masses if given chance. Irrespective of their faith and creed they are as good citizens as any other can be. Let them live they are our brothers. If any one has doubt, he can just visit their streets, their sports arenas, their shops, their mosques, their houses, their graveyards. One must conclude that they are a stock of a fine race.
This is a very weak article and does not cover the whole situaion in Balochistan. I do not understand why the media is so biased while reporting about Balochistan as they do not mention / report about the misieries of Hazaras who are being massacred unabatedly. I appeal human rights organizations and human loving people to raise voice against masaccred / genocide of Hazaras being done in Quetta Pakistan.
@Arindom: More things are happening with Indian 6 stats. Where people want to get FREEDOM FROM India. Kashmiries themselves do not want To live with INDIA. Indian have Unlawfully occupied Kashmir. Any decission for resolution of Kashmir issue without involvement of Kashmiries will never be acceptable.
The people at the helm of affairs don't want to understand a simple and axiomatic way out of this issue. Baloch leaders having roots in the masses have been relegated.Those who have nothing to do with the Baloch cause have been blessed. Even the present Baloch ministers have no influence over Baloch populace. Their consent on any issue got no significance. So any ascent or descent is immaterial. They got absolutely no concern either Balochistan may rise or ruin. The one who wants to resolve the issue must earnestly approach Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Nawab Marri, the actual successor of Bugti, the Zehris, Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind and Kachkol Ali. Before this, one must prove his credentials to their satisfaction. Nothing is impossible under the sun on the soil of Balochistan. Approach ought to be right earnest.
Finally an editorial that speaks of violence, bloodshed and ethnic cleansing at the hands of these seperatist traitors, ET this was way way over due, all these seperatists want is a cOuntry of their own and full lions share of the resources. How would they feel if BalOch living in Sindh and Punjab got murdered and evicted from their homes. The Punjabis and other settlers there have lived for generations, it is home, its disgusting how can they turn on innocent civilians just like that.
Balochistan - more than half the land area of Pakistan is up in revolt - but we still want Kashmir! LOL!!
a very week article on such an important subject...moreover the separatists themselves need to be brought back into the mainstream, it's not just a matter of weakening support for them. What is the govt doing about it? Asif Zardari apologized to Balochistan...but nothing significant has been done as an economic problem is now a political problem...requiring a politcal solution. we need to get over this mentality of do more for Balochistan the province is rich enough to do the best for itself...this needs to be sorted out with those who have parted ways...otherwise it will continue to become worst. Now a parliamentary committee is sitting as if no one knows what to do and how. The govt knows very well but what I don't understand is why is it not making the real and genuine effort to build bridges.
Balouchis have killed in Karachi since 1850s and Balouchi tribes lived in punjab for centuries.Why do these Racist funded by India hijack anti poverty movements into ethnic based terrorism ? Hazras moved to Baluchistan100s of years ago,as did Pashto speaking community.If balouchis are a minority in Balouchistan well it has been going for 100s of years and nothing to do with Pakistan Government its natural demographics
What about CIA, RAW, MUSSAD and Darth vader setting up terror camps there?