Conference on Balochistan: Change in military’s attitude welcome
Centre’s neglect, tribal feuds, sardari system, contributing to unrest.
The conference called upon the parliament to legislate against the forced disappearance of people.
LAHORE:
Peace in Balochistan is imperative for stability not only in Pakistan but also the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. This was said at a two-day conference, Roadmap for Peace and Progress of Balochistan, organised by the Pakistan Institute of National Affairs (PINA) and the Punjab University which ended in Lahore on January 4.
According to a press release, the ‘criminal’ negligence of the federal government, poor governance, the ‘sardari system’, massive corruption, the recurrent breakdown of the political and administrative processes, tribal feuds, the criminal mafias and the military operations of the past were pointed out as factors in the disruption of peace in Balochistan.
The conference condemned the killing of Hazara tribals and settlers, the abduction of doctors, attacks on gas installations and the killing of political workers and journalists.
The solution to the crisis is political, the press release said. An enabling environment needs to be developed for all political parties to participate fully in the next election.
In order to ensure free and fair elections, political parties, the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Army, media, civil society and the caretaker government should check the undue influence of money.
The conference said the military had changed its ways. There was special recruitment of youth and educational institutions were being opened to provide better economic opportunities. It was hoped that General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani would keep the momentum of the confidence-building measures.
The provincial autonomy granted by the 18th Amendment and funds provided under NFC Award should be judiciously utilised by the provincial and local authorities for the wwelfare of people, the conference recommended.
The representation of Balochistan in higher ranks of the civil and military bureaucracy should increase, the press release said.
It was a healthy sign, the conference held, that nationalist parties were showing keen interest in Balochistan. Civil society has become vibrant. The Supreme Court too, they said, had shown judicial activism in missing persons’ case.
The conference called upon the parliament to legislate against the forced disappearance of people. It also called for their recovery and payment of compensation.
They acknowledged that, the press release further said, the number of missing persons was decreasing. According to the Supreme Court record, the number of the missing persons was less than a hundred, the conference said.
Gawadar Port should be developed in accordance with the understanding of the provincial government and all external conspiracies to make the port dysfunctional should be foiled.
The conference praised the Punjab government for sacrificing a percentage of its share in the NFC Award to Balochistan. It also appreciated the measures taken by Punjab University for providing free education and a stipend of Rs3,000 per month to a hundred students from Balochistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2013.
Peace in Balochistan is imperative for stability not only in Pakistan but also the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. This was said at a two-day conference, Roadmap for Peace and Progress of Balochistan, organised by the Pakistan Institute of National Affairs (PINA) and the Punjab University which ended in Lahore on January 4.
According to a press release, the ‘criminal’ negligence of the federal government, poor governance, the ‘sardari system’, massive corruption, the recurrent breakdown of the political and administrative processes, tribal feuds, the criminal mafias and the military operations of the past were pointed out as factors in the disruption of peace in Balochistan.
The conference condemned the killing of Hazara tribals and settlers, the abduction of doctors, attacks on gas installations and the killing of political workers and journalists.
The solution to the crisis is political, the press release said. An enabling environment needs to be developed for all political parties to participate fully in the next election.
In order to ensure free and fair elections, political parties, the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Army, media, civil society and the caretaker government should check the undue influence of money.
The conference said the military had changed its ways. There was special recruitment of youth and educational institutions were being opened to provide better economic opportunities. It was hoped that General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani would keep the momentum of the confidence-building measures.
The provincial autonomy granted by the 18th Amendment and funds provided under NFC Award should be judiciously utilised by the provincial and local authorities for the wwelfare of people, the conference recommended.
The representation of Balochistan in higher ranks of the civil and military bureaucracy should increase, the press release said.
It was a healthy sign, the conference held, that nationalist parties were showing keen interest in Balochistan. Civil society has become vibrant. The Supreme Court too, they said, had shown judicial activism in missing persons’ case.
The conference called upon the parliament to legislate against the forced disappearance of people. It also called for their recovery and payment of compensation.
They acknowledged that, the press release further said, the number of missing persons was decreasing. According to the Supreme Court record, the number of the missing persons was less than a hundred, the conference said.
Gawadar Port should be developed in accordance with the understanding of the provincial government and all external conspiracies to make the port dysfunctional should be foiled.
The conference praised the Punjab government for sacrificing a percentage of its share in the NFC Award to Balochistan. It also appreciated the measures taken by Punjab University for providing free education and a stipend of Rs3,000 per month to a hundred students from Balochistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2013.