Important government leaders from Zaradri and Gilani to Rehman Malik and former Law Minister Babar Awan have visited Quetta to assure the Balochis that their grievances are being redressed. Their speeches and press conferences enlisting the measures taken have however failed to bring peace to the province. Meanwhile, all sorts of extremist groups ranging from Baloch separatists, communal networks and TTP operatives have turned the province into killing fields. The law and order situation remains as unsatisfactory as it was when the government took office. There is no respite to target killings and attacks on the Hazara community and on Punjabis. Dead bodies of activists of nationalist parties meanwhile continue to be dumped on roadsides with signs of torture making a mockery of the judicial committee set up to recover the disappeared persons.
The present government has done more for the province than any past administration. Some of the steps taken were reiterated by the prime minister while addressing the passing out parade of 5,000 army recruits from Balochistan. A number of demands put up by the nationalists have been accepted, numerous development projects have been launched and employment opportunities have been increased. Gilani has made an impassioned appeal for peace which he rightly said was the only way for the progress of people of Balochistan and Pakistan.
There are failures also on the government’s part. While the 18th amendment has considerably extended the scope of provincial autonomy, Balochistan is the only province where the elected government remains as powerless as it was under Musharraf. The provincial leadership which could play a role in holding talks with the separatists is unable to do so because it has no authority and, therefore, little credibility. All key decisions in the province are taken by security agencies and the Rangers. The situation has to change. The Aaghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package has to be implemented in its entirety. The separatists have to be made to realise that the future of the province is inextricably tied up with that of the country and democracy provides the best way to resolve differences while militancy only prolongs suffering. Only political leadership possessing full authority can do this.
