Fix the Baloch problem before the elections, says MQM
MQM calls for high-powered body like Hamoodur Rehman Commission to offset any likelihood of the province’s...
HYDERABAD:
Predicting a doom-laden scenario for the federation of Pakistan if Baloch grievances are not addressed before the next general elections, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement called for a high-powered body like the Hamoodur Rehman Commission to offset any likelihood of the province’s secession.
“What if the Baloch, on the call of their nationalist and separatist leadership, boycotted the elections and the voter turnout remained a dismal five per cent,” asked Farooq Sattar, the MQM’s deputy convenor and a federal minister.
Sattar maintained that Balochistan has already seceded partially. “The flag of Pakistan is seen fluttering on only a few buildings in Balochistan, even the singing of the national anthem on important occasions is restricted to certain places,” he said. “The elections will just thrust them farther if we don’t take serious steps to win their hearts first.”
This, according to Sattar, will require complete autonomy for the province to be preceded by a framework which is acceptable to them before the elections. Sattar forcefully demanded handing over the right to collect the general sales tax, Karachi port, Gorakh hill and Thar coal projects to the Sindh government.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2012.
Predicting a doom-laden scenario for the federation of Pakistan if Baloch grievances are not addressed before the next general elections, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement called for a high-powered body like the Hamoodur Rehman Commission to offset any likelihood of the province’s secession.
“What if the Baloch, on the call of their nationalist and separatist leadership, boycotted the elections and the voter turnout remained a dismal five per cent,” asked Farooq Sattar, the MQM’s deputy convenor and a federal minister.
Sattar maintained that Balochistan has already seceded partially. “The flag of Pakistan is seen fluttering on only a few buildings in Balochistan, even the singing of the national anthem on important occasions is restricted to certain places,” he said. “The elections will just thrust them farther if we don’t take serious steps to win their hearts first.”
This, according to Sattar, will require complete autonomy for the province to be preceded by a framework which is acceptable to them before the elections. Sattar forcefully demanded handing over the right to collect the general sales tax, Karachi port, Gorakh hill and Thar coal projects to the Sindh government.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2012.