ISLAMABAD:
Only one issue can possibly bring Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif together on one stage.
Unlike the potent schisms present in other issues, all political forces of the country stood unified on a single platform on Saturday for the cause of Balochistan.
A conference, titled, “Balochistan Issue and Its Solution,” saw a unanimously-passed resolution calling for an immediate stop to the practice of enforced disappearances, extra judicial killings, torture and dumping of bodies.
The conference was given extra weight since it was attended by the top leaders of all major political parties – a possibility given that the event was organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, instead of a political body.
Leaders presented their own solutions in impassioned addresses – which culminated in a resolution condemning the abduction, torture and killing of the people of Balochistan and demanding that the politics of garrison in the province should be replaced by civilian authorities that genuinely represent the will of the people. It also demanded an open trial for the murderers of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.
Nawaz Sharif
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif suggested the formation of a commission to address Balochistan people’s concerns – particularly to bring the military establishment under the control of a democratic set-up. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief also demanded that former military ruler Pervez Musharraf be presented before parliament for trial.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s concern on the rising number of ‘missing’ persons’ cases in Balochistan, PML-N chief Nawaz questioned: “Who is responsible for picking them up? There’s no respect for Pakistan’s Constitution and law [in Balochistan].”
Nawaz said it was the right of the people of Balochistan to rebel against the forces (the military establishment). “We should not have any complaints against rebels, but rather with those who turn them into rebels … the way Akbar Bugti’s body was desecrated, why wouldn’t his heirs rebel?”
Recalling his time in jail, the PML-N chief claimed that a fake case was initiated against him and that he was treated similar to the people of Balochistan. “I felt like I was a spy of some enemy state …
I’m surprised I didn’t turn into a rebel.”
Imran Khan
While terming a military solution for the Balochistan issue a “cancer”, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan urged for a 10-year development programme for the province, similar to the East and West Germany model. He added that it was necessary to announce “amnesty for all those (Baloch) who are declared terrorists.”
Khan said that to bring dictators to book, rulers must step away from their personnel agendas as a precondition and follow the example of the Turkish prime minister for a trial of military dictators.
Raza Rabbani
A central leader of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, suggested the formation of a “Grand National Alliance” on the principle of dialogue, rule of law and autonomy (DRA). Rabbani also emphasised on an alliance between the judiciary and parliament.
The senator also admitted that the Balochistan issue could not be solved even after the passage of the 18th Amendment. He added, however, that one could not deny its positive implications.
Haider Abbas Rizvi
Muttahida Qaumi Movement MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi warned that, if not taken seriously, external forces could pursue their vested interests with greater and greater ease in province. In an effort to emphasise the gravity of the matter, he said that the Balochistan issue should be resolved on the basis of the slogan: ‘now or never’.
Asma Jahangir
Asma Jahangir, former president of Supreme Court Bar Association, remarked that the solution of Balochistan issue rested with the political parties and they should take immediate initiatives in this regard. She also found solace in holding of free and fair elections under the supervision of an independent Chief Election Commissioner.
Mushahid Hussain
PML-Quaid’s Mushahid Hussain said that parliament should be given three months to find a permanent solution for the Balochistan issue.
The conference was also addressed by representatives of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Awami National Party and local leaders of the province.
Resolution
The resolution further stated that following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, an effective mechanism should be set up to ensure that all natural resources in Balochistan are under the control of the people of the province.
Furthermore, all those citizens of the country who are long settled in Balochistan, irrespective of their language caste or belief, should be equally respected and their social and economic rights should also be protected.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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another east pak will exist in comng days
Nawaz Sharif will keep gathering sympathies, infact he was the one who brought military in to politics last time. And now he wants to change the past
The other day, during a TV talk show, while commenting on Baluchistan problem, Ms Asma made a unique statement on the SC option to consider emergency in the province. She noted that normally military is called for enforcement of emergency. SC current assessment of situation reveals 80% problems caused due to acts of those in uniform. Even police presented the CC footage containing pictures of FC vehicles abducting people. Now the SC Bar Association organised this event. Ms Asma also participated. In fact whole solution lies in restoration/implementation of effective, transparent fair and just civil law in the province. Those actually responsible for the problem are absent form the conference. Should nation expect some thing from such a resolution. Unless military brass is not agreeing to such recommendations, nothing will come out and it will also prove to be a futile exercise. CJ of SC should ponder on this point also.
These are all ploys (particularly Army and ISI bashing) for cheap popularity. Otherwise all of them know that the present Federal Government and the Provincial Government of Baluchistan has not made any effort to resolve the Baluchistan issue. All provincial minister have been accused of bungling and kidnapings. Zardari, Gilani and Rehman Malik have never visited Baluchistan to establish contact with the common man. No political leaders has ever visited the interior Baluchistan.
PTI is the only voice of the people of Balochistan!
PML-N leaders are sitting in a hotel in Islamabad offering solutions to Balochistan, when was the last time they were actually there? PTI did a Jalsa there, top that.
Why you guys are so much wanting to get NS and IK on same page??...They can never ever be on the same page because both have totally opposite policies. I mean I have never ever heard NS saying anything about Independent NAB, TAX collection reformation, Declaration of Assets, banning benami, ending War On Terror, etc etc, where as IK talks about it all day long....