Appeal for peace

Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on his visit to the quake-hit district of Awaran on November 8 has delivered a message which incorporates the reasons why Balochistan as a province faces so much turbulence and unrest. Speaking after reviewing relief work in Awaran, PM Sharif mentioned both the lack of development in the province and militancy, at least indirectly indicating an understanding that the two must be tackled jointly if there is ever to be an end to the cycle of problems confronted by Balochistan.

Accompanied by Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, whose government is already in the process of trying to talk to separatists, PM Sharif, without mentioning separatist forces, called on all those carrying arms to lay them down and work for economic development and progress. He stated strongly that those engaged in fighting were also considered ‘brothers’ and should come together with other forces in their home province to work for its good. The message is a significant one and suggests the federal and provincial governments share similar thinking on this vital issue. The question, of course, is if the call made will be heeded at all by the separatists who have so far shown reluctance to enter into any kind of peace process.

Their approach has also affected rehabilitation work in Awaran and neighbouring Kech, where many welfare organisations are reluctant to venture into because of security fears. As a result, work has been held back and PM Sharif during his trip announced generous compensation packages for the dead and injured, as well as speeded up reconstruction work in Awaran and longer term efforts to develop the region through electrification and road building. This, of course, is a welcome approach. How much impact it will have on the troubled situation in Balochistan is still impossible to say given the depth of the problem and the fact that it has bred so much hatred and distrust. The prime minister has made a good gesture by visiting an area where feelings of neglect and abandonment run high. How much good this will do is something that will become clear only over the weeks and months ahead as the Balochistan government continues its efforts.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2013.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.