Secession can lead to civil war in Balochistan: Raisani

Balochistan chief minister says angry Baloch leadership not responding to the government’s offer for talks.


Our Correspondent February 28, 2012

QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani has said that a civil war will break out in the province if it is separated from Pakistan.

Raisani expressed these views while talking to the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan, Lars Gunnar Wigemark on Monday.

Raisani informed the EU envoy about the tribal system in Balochistan and said that every nawab and tribal chief had influence in their respective areas.

He added that separation will convert into civil war as the tribesmen followed their chieftains. “There will be civil war in Balochistan if it was separated from Pakistan. It would be dangerous for the people of Balochistan.”

Raisani said that the angry Baloch leadership is not responding to the government’s offer for talks.

The chief minister also said that he was sure about the involvement of foreign elements in destabilising the region.

He said that dialogue is the only forward to address the issues of the province, but those who had picked up arms were not willing to accept any offers. They will not talk less than independence, he said.

The chief minister said that the federal government had tasked him, Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and other tribal notables to hold negotiations.

On the issue of missing persons and the recovery of mutilated bodies, Raisani said that this had aggrevated the situation and was creating hatred in the province. He added that a number of people who were on the list of missing persons were currently residing in Afghanistan and Dubai.

Raisani said that in a meeting with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani he had demanded more jobs for the youth and development funds for the province.

COMMENTS (15)

Hadi Ansari | 12 years ago | Reply

Ask any political party if they ever thought how frustrated are many Baluch people because of step motherly treatment of the federal govenment.The answer would be confusing and most of them will blame the predecessors.The tribal chief are also to blame. Naturally the main reasons for disappointment is lack of job opportunity ,universal education,basic health care,and potable water. Then we have external forces who would exploit the situation to suite their own interest.USSRs' misadventure in Afghanistan was due to quest for warm waters of Indian ocean. Baluch are patriotic and respectable people.Certain percentage of jobs must be reserved in all govt dept for Baluch.For the free universal education for next 25years tribal chiefs,provincial and central govts should join hands and come out with a transparent programme.Long term tax holiday should be given to new industries.Faster the economic incentive to the grassroots ,the faster will be the return to normalcy.

Nomi | 12 years ago | Reply

Oh come on! sagacity is like a foreign language to Mr. Raisani.

Even if Balochistan does break away. There will be few military coups and then they will be on track towards economic growth.

But lets not think that. Pakistan needs balochistan more than any other province in reality, sadly pakistani punjabis have no clue how important balochistan is to them. They just see it as a land area.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ