Balochistan Frontier Corps Inspector General Maj Gen Obaidullah Khattak, rejecting Human Rights Watch report regarding enforced disappearances in Balochistan, said the report was an attempt to encourage terrorists and discourage the law enforcement agencies.
He was addressing reporters in an iftar-dinner at the FC headquarter. He said the HRW report was partial and only portrayed one side of the picture and it would have been better if all stakeholders had been contacted before its preparation. He said he condemned the report for its attempt to discourage the security forces and at the same time encourage the terrorists in Balochistan.
In its report, the HRW accused the security forces, including intelligence agencies, of being involved in enforced disappearances and killings before the throwing of dead bodies in streets and desolate places. He denied the involvement of the FC and agreed that it was the responsibility of state agencies to track down the culprits, who he said should be tried in courts.
He said there were many loopholes in the system which in the end benefited the culprits. He said terrorist organisations like the Baloch Liberation Army or Baloch Liberation Front had been recognising the services of the victims. He castigated the nawabs and sardars of Balochistan for doing nothing for their poverty ridden people despite being in the power and urged the media to play its role in creating awareness among the people as well as exerting pressure on their tribal elders.
He said there were a handful of elements who had managed to attract some Baloch youth to the idea of independence while an overwhelming majority of the population wanted peace and prosperity. He said there was no doubt that foreign elements were involved in terrorist activities in Balochistan, but declared that no one would be allowed to play with the lives of innocent people.
He claimed that the law and order had improved in majority areas of the province, particularly the restive area of Kohlu while the incidents of attacks on forces and installations had showed a downward trend, decreasing from 80 in February to only eight in June. He said 900 civilians and 200 security forces personnel had died while 1400 were injured terrorist attacks and bomb blasts in Balochistan in the past years.
He said there was a standing offer to all deputy commissioners and police officers that they could call FC personnel on a telephone call for any action against criminals and terrorists. He did not agree with one of the queries that political parties in the province should also be taken on board in the army’s role of supervising the mining of coal and marble projects after reconciliation between warring tribes and said that if any leader political leader wanted to meet him his doors were open.
He said that a successful tribal jirga was arranged in FC headquarter and he had the opportunity to meet the people from all walks of life. He said locals had the right on resources. He said Chamalung coal project was successfully being run by the local management under army’s supervision while 4500 students were getting education and over 22,000 people had been given jobs directly and indirectly.
