Strategically located between Afghanistan and the warm waters, Balochistan has always been a superpowers paradise with a treasure-laden terrain containing an abundance of gold, copper, coal and other natural resources. It is Pakistan’s largest yet the most neglected province where there have been several insurgencies over the last six decades. Its worsening law and order situation today is playing havoc with the peace and stability of the country.
The ethnic cleansing regime, carried out by various terrorist organizations operating in the province, have forced hundreds of thousands of settlers to leave their homes and migrate to other areas due to threats and pressure. The indiscriminate killing of educationists all over the province has led to the closure of a great many educational institutes. The brutal murder of Nazima Talib, an Assistant Professor of the Balochistan University, is a clear indicator of terror against education. Recent episodes of kidnapping have brought another wave of apprehension as decomposed bodies of missing persons were found strewn at various places in the province.
The army, however, has been called in time and again to curb the alarming conditions arising from a protracted era of denial to bring a semblance of peace into the region. Various initiatives taken by COAS Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani including the induction of young Baloch men and women into the Armed Forces by relaxing the rules for them, is a quantum leap towards addressing their problems. The passing out of around 4,000 youth during a recently held parade was witnessed by the entire nation. The army has been instrumental in building the capacity of the law enforcement agencies as personnel of the Balochistan Police have recently undergone a special anti-terror training course conducted by the military. Apart from securing law and order, the army has undertaken development projects to provide the Baloch citizens equal opportunities.
The army’s first big development effort in the province was a deal brokered between two warring tribes to reopen the Chamalang mines which have produced more than $70 million worth of coal and employs about 70,000 people. However, the fact remains that the Balochistan province stands today at the crossroads of its history, preparing to see a mega economic turnaround beyond the 21st century; the future of Asia is certainly in its hands. The government, the nation and the people of Balochistan must take responsibility of changing the destiny of their province and country with their own hands.
F Z KHAN
Islamabad