NA proceedings: Balochistan exodus figures contested
The ruling PML-N and the main opposition party PPP contested the figure of people who are said to have migrated from Balochistan during the National Assembly proceedings on Wednesday.
The government disputed the figures of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) regarding “massive exodus” from Balochistan. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq asked PPP lawmakers for re-verification of the figures from HRCP before any further investigation into the matter.
PPP’s Ejaz Jakhrani said, “The collection of data is not the sole responsibility of the province. The federation must intervene as conducting a census is its prime responsibility”.
PML-N's Marium Aurangzeb informed the house that a database is being established to determine the exact situation but the local authorities estimate that around 5,000 people have migrated from the province since 2006.
Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch who was part of this discussion exclaimed that the figure claimed by the PPP (300,000 people) was exaggerated and that the targeting of non-Balochs in Balochistan is condemnable.
The minister said Punjabi, Urdu-speaking and Hazara community were targeted in the province and those living there for over 100 or 150 years have had to leave. He added, “Those targeting these communities are now in isolation and nobody supports them.”
He offered Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to constitute a house committee to verify the figure since he believed it was misleading.
Resolution adopted
Recognising December 3, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the house unanimously adopted a resolution urging the government to ensure adequate opportunities and facilities for people with disabilities. The lower house also took serious exception to the police raid on the people with disabilities in Lahore.
Speaker NA informed the house that Chief Minister Punjab took notice of the incident. The ruling party’s MNA Shahabuddin and Pakistan Peoples Party’s MNA Shazia Mari introduced the resolution after seeking permission from the Speaker to move a motion to suspend the routine agenda of the house.
Shahabuddin Khan elected from Bajaur Agency noted that out of the world total Pakistan hosts 17.5 percent people with disabilities. He claimed that around 65,000 of these people are in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and 7,000 alone are in the conflict-ridden Bajaur Agency.
“If 100 people die because of bombing then 400 become disabled,” he claimed.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2014.
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