Balochistan is a ticking time bomb

Balochistan is Pakistan's poorest, most backward and most neglected province and there have been several insurgencies spearheaded by the Baloch nationalist groups over the past six decades that have been crushed by the military.

The danger is that amidst all of Pakistan's other problems - economic difficulties, political unrest and the Taliban insurgency in the north - the Baloch will come to feel increasingly neglected and forgotten.

Balochistan needs a political solution and quickly, but so far the government has failed to implement sufficient remedial measures to alleviate poverty, arrest the economic downturn, alleviate the massive unemployment and illiteracy in the province or even talk to the dissidents.

The situation is particularly sensitive now that the US wants to launch a military operation in the province, which it claims is a safe haven for Taliban and Al Qaida operatives.

The brutal killings of three Baloch nationalist leaders - Gulam Mohammad Baloch, Lala Munir Baloch and Sher Mohammad Baloch - earlier this month have once again ignited the insurgency in the mineral, oil and gas-rich province.

At least 16 people were killed in the ensuing violence, while dozens of others were injured and many government buildings were attacked by rioters.

The victims included not only policemen, but also several persons who had come to Balochistan from other parts of the country to seek work.

The Baloch Libration Army (BLA), the rebel group comprising Baloch nationalists, claimed the killings had avenged the murder of their leaders. They alleged that the intelligence agencies were behind the assassinations, while the government said they had been carried out by forces conspiring to destabilise the country.

The three nationalists who were killed were members of the committee that was recently formed by the government of Pakistan to investigate hundreds of missing persons cases in the province, notably that of abducted United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees official John Solecki, who was freed on April 4.

Though President Asif Ali Zardari last month announced a Dh2.2 billion development package for Balochistan, this was not enough to mollify the nationalists, who rejected the move - sending a clear message that they do not trust the government.

The government should do everything it can to speed up the reconciliation process in the interests of the country. The situation could get out of control if the nationalists join forces with the Taliban and Al Qaida.

The government cannot afford to fight on two fronts, as it is already struggling to deal with the terrorist elements that are holed up in the tribal areas along the border. If the insurgency in Balochistan is not addressed, it will give the US the excuse it needs to launch a military operation and drone attacks in the province.

The government needs to act to resolve all outstanding issues with the Baloch people to strengthen the federation and bring peace. Chiefs and clan leaders of the powerful Marri, Bugti and Mengal tribes have been in the forefront of the insurgency.

Previously, Baloch nationalists demanded greater provincial autonomy within the federation of Pakistan, but today the situation has worsened and many Baloch nationalists are demanding a separate country for themselves - a demand that is threatening the federation.

The long-dormant crisis erupted in Balochistan in 1973 into an insurgency that lasted four years and became increasingly bitter. The insurgency was eventually put down by the Pakistan army.

One of the main Baloch grievances was the influx of Punjabi settlers, miners, and traders into their resource-rich but sparsely populated lands. Balochistan is rich in minerals and has 40 per cent of Pakistan's gas reserves.

In 2004, the Baloch rebels again took up arms against the federal government, with the BLA, Balochistan Liberation Front, and People's Liberation Army conducting operations.

The Gwadar Port project, which employed close to 500 Chinese nationals at that time, was one of the rebels' targets. Three Chinese engineers were killed by the BLA. Gwadar airport was attacked by rockets at midnight in May 2004.

Violence reached a crescendo in March of 2005, when the Pakistani security forces killed Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, a 79-year-old tribal leader, who had fought against the government for decades, despite being a member of several governments.

Bugti's killing sparked intensive fighting between the tribal militia and government soldiers, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people.

Since then, the seething unrest in the province has led to feelings of increased hatred against the government and the security forces, who are blamed for the killing of ethnic leaders.

The insurgency was put on hold when Zardari and Baloch groups declared a ceasefire last year. But fighting broke out once again after the government failed to follow up the truce with meaningful talks. As a result of the distractions of the political and economic crisis, the wide-ranging grievances of the alienated Baloch people have not been addressed.

People of Balochistan are not provided the basic needs of the life. One should visit Balochistan rural or coastal area.
A. A. Baluch
,Bahrain
Posted: April 19, 2009, 16:36

In light of the above comments especially from New York, USA, i would like to point out to my misguided brothers and my countrymen to beware of the souls which are bent on destroying and maligning pakistan.The sacrificies that our fore fathers had made for this great nation will not be in vain.So if anyone thinks that our great country will so easily disintegrate just because some of the places have been ignored and underdeveloped, dream on.
Adel Nawaz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 19, 2009, 16:33

I think the situation is not good. But the problem is involvement from the outside. Good leadership within the country is required. The most important is good education and loyalty of every single citizen of the country.
Sameer Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 19, 2009, 16:22

I have to agree with you that we need to do some thing about the people of Balochistan and by that I mean the common people. The goverment should invest heavily on the infrastructure development. Moreover the land lord system should also be wiped out of the entire province.
Sohaib Abbas
Sharjah,United Arab Emirates
Posted: April 19, 2009, 15:54

Balochistan's issue is very sensitive and I think authorities is getting late to resolve the real issues over there. We must resolve Balochistan problems otherwise it will be too late.
Mohammad Eqbal
Islamabad,Pakistan
Posted: April 19, 2009, 15:21

I appreciate Gulf News for this report on Balochistan, but one thing should be clear that these organisations are fighting for the freedom of Balochistan.
Hani
Manama,Bahrain
Posted: April 19, 2009, 15:20

I appreciate Gulf News for this report on Balochistan, but in my opinion, these organizations are fighting for the freedom of Balochistan and should not be called tribal forces.
Hani
Manama,bahrain
Posted: April 19, 2009, 15:19

Voices for rights muted, basic needs crushed, resources taken away and distributed nationally and internationally without any benefit to people, illiteracy, unemployment at high, infrastructure never planned, still an expectation of peace from the people of Balochistan These are few reasons arising the conflict in "Balochistan".
Suhail Baloch
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 19, 2009, 14:40

The situation is very alarming in Balochistan But I am very hopeful that we can overcome all problems with national thoughts and unity.
Qayyum Rashid
Dubai,united arab emirates .
Posted: April 19, 2009, 14:22

it is very sad that the situation in Balochistan is becoming worse but one should not ignore the interference of other countries in that area because of its stretigic importance. We will recover very soon with the grace of God.
Shaheen
lahore,pakistan
Posted: April 19, 2009, 14:07

I dont think anyone can judge the situation and how hard it is other than the people living in the country.
Diagoh
Turbat,Balochistan
Posted: April 19, 2009, 13:52

I appreciate Gulf News for such a sensitive report on the Balochistan issue. I would like to address the persons who have posted their comments above. No doubt everyone has got the right to their own opinion, but now Balochistan is in entirely different situation other than we know. Baloch wants its freedom today.
Mureed Al Balushi
Manama,,Bahrain
Posted: April 19, 2009, 13:40

As Balochi I dont want Pakistan or any country to control my land. We want Balochistan to be as free as it was.
Balochi
balochistan,balochistan
Posted: April 19, 2009, 13:04

I think the whole of Pakistan is no different from the current situation in Balochistan. Lets give freedom to all the four provinces.
Abdul Halim
New York,USA
Posted: April 19, 2009, 11:21

These kinds of issues exist in almost all major developing countries and I am sure pakistan government is already addressing it. Moreover my way of looking at it this issue is that even if all the population of balouchistan demands independance (which is not at all the case here) they will have to demand it from a poputlation which is 1000 times their size. This has not happened for vasious groups in India or in Spain. At the end every one has to go to the negotiation table
Ather MahmoUd
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 19, 2009, 09:25

It is true that there are a lot of problems in Balochistan, and this also shows that war is not the solution. Balochis are very patroitic people and this is the time to solve these problems. The country has so many resources that should be used well.
Rafaqat Saeed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 19, 2009, 00:54