QUETTA: After years of barbed exchanges and simmering hostilities, pleasantries were exchanged for the first time between the country’s most populated, most well-off province and the largest, yet least-developed one.
Lawmakers in Balochistan Assembly welcomed the resolution adopted by their Punjab counterparts over Balochistan and hoped that Punjab government will continue to play its role in addressing longstanding grievances of the indigenous Baloch population.
Provincial minister for mines and minerals, Abdul Rehman Mengal, took to the floor in Friday’s session and said it was for the first time that Punjab had realised that injustices are done to Baloch people.
“I must praise the role of [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief] Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab for acknowledging that Balochistan was mistreated and Nawab Bugti’s murder should be probed,” he said.
“I hope that Punjab will play its role in the future as well, for addressing the problems of Balochistan,” Mengal added.
Provincial minister Eshan Shah and Dr Fauzia Marri of Balochistan National Party-Awami also welcomed the meeting between Nawaz and Sardar Ataullah Mengal.
“We do not have any complaints with the people of Punjab,” Shah said. “It is the elite class and we hope they will change their attitude towards Balochistan.”
Meanwhile, provincial minister Zahoor Buleidai demanded that the Quetta Electricity Supply Company (Qesco) ensure implementation of an agreement with the Iranian government for supplying electricity to Makran Division.
“Qesco was supposed to implement the agreement in six months, but the deadline had expired now. [The company] should make progress in this regard,” he demanded.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2011.
COMMENTS (6)
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Baluchistan had the biggest potential for development and our rulers missed it. Las Bella should have been the capital of Pakistan and Baluchistan states hub of development,, forestation and cattle breeding and fisheries.
Now at least we should give the fullest attention to Baluchistan's problems instead of fighting with US or Memgate and other frivolous things which keeps our leaders and Media occupied. Supreme Court should also take this matter seriously.
Media should keep public informed about the demands of Baluch.What is so difficult about accepting these demands. There is always a way out of problems.
Love Pakistan & Love Balochistan.
This is true Balochistan is been neglected for long time but we must also say that all of pakistan is been neglected by our leaders.
Prosperity and development we deserved was never been delivered to our nations. We are one and will remain one as muslims and pakistani.
Ballochistan must be given first priority for now on .. i beleive pakistan has to move.
Love Balochistan Love Pakistan
Saad Khaiber Pakhtoon Kha
long live pakistan the land of pak we can not say it is the land which created trouble to us it is a fault of men living on land who create problems all people are good, every community has a mix definitely their is problem on both sides i am in the favour of complete provincial autonomy for balouchistan
baloches are a brave and "gairatee" tribe of Pakistan. It should be an honour for pakistant having legandry tribes like baloches and poshtoons who have a splendid history in Khorasan,Iran,Afghanistan and Now in Pakistan. Long live Baloch and Pushtoons.
Finally people in Punjab have realized the injustices with their baloch brethren. Its also slap on the face of all those who know nothing about balochistan and criticize baloch for whatever wrong is happening in balochistan..
Baloch sardars have damaged Balochistan more than anyone else. Baloch people are like slaves in their hands. Please read the history of Balochistan and see how these cruel Baloch sardars governed this part of Pakistan. Mangals, Bugtis, Murees all governed this province of Pakistan. They did nothing for their people Now they are becoming innocent. Punjab received a lot of dead bodies of teachers, professors, engineers etc who tried to give education to Baloch students and they were killed by the militia of these sardars. The death of Akbar Bugti was also due to the war he waged against pakistan armed forces and damaging electic and gas installation in the country.
People should know the reality.