The writer is professor of political science at LUMS
rasul.rais@tribune.com.pk
We have haplessly been watching bloodshed in Balochistan, targeted killings, body dumping and sectarian terrorism. The Balochistan Assembly and the government did nothing except dole out money among its members. The Assembly and most of the members didn’t genuinely represent the Baloch people. They rose to power through phony politics and with the help of invisible hands that had been at work during the military regime of Musharraf. Quite a few of them had a tribal social base that they bargained for power. Buying off individual loyalties of the Baloch chiefs in this troubled province has been an age-old tactic. Musharraf, for his personal interests, destroyed every democratic institution, but the most damage he did was to the flourishing political party system. Balochistan didn’t escape his divide and rule strategy either.
Even dummies must know that democracy cannot function without political parties, which take time to develop. All military dictators have destroyed the political party system of Pakistan as well as targeting the judiciary. Military rule is not possible without disrupting the natural evolution of these institutions.
Balochistan received yet another setback when the nationalist parties decided to boycott the 2008 elections. Balochistan’s representation in the constitutional institutions, from the provincial to the National Assembly has remained a murky issue at best.
The return of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, former chief minister of Balochistan, and his decision to contest elections, marks a new beginning. It is going to be a fresh start — yet another opportunity to resolve the Baloch conflict that started with the brutal murder of Sardar Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti. Sadly, the history of Pakistan is replete with tragic examples of how individuals in military uniform captured power for personal interests and ruled the country like Mughal kings. At least, quite a few of the Mughals were graceful, sagacious and just, and connected with the peoples and communities by embracing local cultures. None of the military rulers of Pakistan had any of these merits — just the arrogant show-boys burning with vengeance against the genuine representatives of the people. No authentic Baloch spared.
Sardar Mengal and other nationalists have serious reservations about the intrusiveness of what they call the ‘security establishment’. It is time that their concerns and fears are addressed. They are not wrong in pointing fingers. We have a history of military dictators stealing elections and popular mandates. It will be a step forward when the people of Balochistan elect their representatives with party flags and colours flowing in fresh political air. Only authentic Baloch representatives can exercise moral and political authority and engage with the militant factions — mostly the estranged Baloch youth that has been driven to take up arms.
Baloch leaders with power and popular mandates can resolve the conflict and establish peace in Balochistan. All others, from state institutions to political parties, should listen to them and follow their steps.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2013.
COMMENTS (7)
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I must admit that my vocabulary is bad. Please replace the term 'self-denial' with denial. Apologies for the mistake
@Usman: ''Your attempt at ethnic division is pathetic''
This attitude of self-denial is not only confined to you but a national problem so I won't blame you for it. Ethnic division in Balochistan is a reality. Lack of opportunities, insane level of youth unemployment, naked racism and discrimination in government offices where most postings are awarded on ethnic affiliations coupled with manipulation of these ethnic fault lines by the 'patriotic custodians of knowledge and ideology of Pakistan' only reinforce these ethnic divisions. How can you solve a problem when you are not even willing to accept that there is a problem? Our learned professor completely ignores this most important aspect of Balochistan problem. It is not impossible to resolve the problems of Balochistan but for that this tunnel-visioned approach has to be abandoned.
@Anonymous: Why don't you say what's really on your mind? Your attempt at ethnic division is pathetic.
>> None of the military rulers of Pakistan had any of these merits — just the arrogant show-boys burning with vengeance against the genuine representatives of the people. No authentic Baloch spared.
There is one exception though. Zia-ul-Haq, despite all of his other faults, brought to an end the military action in Balochistan that had been started by Bhutto after he dismissed the NAP government in Balochistan. He released all the leaders of NAP including Wali Khan, Ghaus Baksh Bezinjo, Sardar Ataullah Mengal and many many others from the supporters of NAP and JUI. He himself went to Hyderabad to meet these leader nd saw to it that they are treated with dignity and respect. Situation in Balochistan calmed down and things remained peaceful till the rule of Musharraf was inflicted on Pakistan. In the meantime Baloch nationalist parties started to participate the in political process - Bugti and Sardar Akhtar Mengal became chief ministers of Balochistan in the nineties and many other other well known Baloch leaders including sons of Sardar Khair Bakhs Mari leaders became MNA's and MPA's. Zia-ul-Haq also mended the relationship with Bacha Khan and there were negotiations between him and Bach Khan to change the name of the then NWFP to Pakhtunkhwa. At Bach Khan's funeral Govt of Pakistan had formal official representation.
What a nice concise Op Ed that also concludes with fair and practical solution. It is only during the military dictatorships that we have lost our most of the country and there are separatist movements in other provinces, this time in Baluchistan. While these crises always spawn by the dictatorships the next democratic govt has to deal with these complex issues without much support from the establishment. The only solution to Baluchistan crisis is to pull all the army and FC out of the province. The province should be left for the elected leaders to govern and sort out their problems. Killing more and more nationalist leaders is not going to solve the problem. We had tried it in Muslim Bengal then in most provinces of Pakistan and now in Baluchistan without any success. It is a serious matter and cannot and should not be left to the generals.
Dear Sir. Just a reminder. Balochistan is a multi-ethnic province. Is violence the only criteria for being noticed by the ''mainstream intellectuals''? If yes, you are sending a wrong message to the Pashtuns of Balochistan. The lack of understanding of the complexity of Balochistan by our ''mainstream intellectuals'' is difficult to understand. Or is it that, this ''5%'' of poor, illiterate and backward population is not worthy enough to be understood?
Best regards