American presence in Afghanistan has given India an ample space to adjust herself in hostile Afghanistan. Due to a constant wave of terrorism, every country of the world is threatened but the way Pakistan and Afghanistan have been targeted is unprecedented. On its western border, due to the presence of terrorist elements Pakistani forces have to take action to clear certain areas but in Balochistan none of this sort of action or operations is going on. In Chamalang, where no one dares to start anything due to the prevailing tribal mindset, Pakistan army has started exploring coal reserves. Apart from creating job opportunities for the locals, many welfare projects have been initiated. Obviously such steps are not acceptable to the elements that are determined to destabilise Pakistan.
The recent attack on the FC Balochistan troops is a brainchild of none other than those same elements. At least, 14 troops which included an officer gave their lives. The USA has asked Pakistan many times to launch a military operation in Balochistan for which it has used the Quetta Shura as a pressure tactic. Unfortunately, all terrorist activities are directly targeting the masses. Destruction of railway tracks, targeting people working for developmental projects, destroying gas pipelines and electric infrastructure are but some of the example whose aim is to throw the masses into darkness. These elements in fact don’t want to see the province moving towards prosperity. That’s why the main target of the killers is the educationists and professors of college and universities.
Destruction of gas pipelines and electricity polls has really made a common man’s life miserable. The trade and business have been impacted because of these terror activities. There are no employment opportunities. Many posts are lying vacant in the federal government because of non-availability of the qualified citizens.
So, if the target killing of the educationists is continued, a day will come when the Balochistan students will have no qualified teachers in their institutions.
Pakistan cannot afford Chamalang sort of attacks which directly affect the lives of the locals having no access to jobs and resources of the country. Exploring the existing local reserves is the only way to give them boost and to help them in getting back on to their feet.
The nation has to find out the enemy which is supporting small groups of the annoyed youth and training them to attack on state properties and security officials. Obviously the FC is the major hurdle in their way to go for subversive activities. If someone thinks that the terrorists are targeting the FC troops only and that they are sympathetic to the locals, it would be a long cry. Their major target is the coming generation of the Balochistan province.
As they know that Karachi is the financial hub of Pakistan. If Karachi is destabilised the whole Pakistan will suffer. They also don’t want development in Balochistan as deprived and undeveloped Balochistan suits them. Ethnic cleansing of Punjabis and Sindhis from Balochistan is creating hatred among the masses. It is unfortunate that Balochistan has been turned into a waste land of widows and orphans by the terrorists.
The People of Balochistan are being harassed on the whims of hostile elements which are providing financial and logistic support to the miscreants. The reputation of the peaceful and traditional Baloch has been maligned through a well thought-out and pre-planned scheme. Till the time local residents of the province are not going to wake up, things will not be normalised.
If the locals are not interested to change their life and get acquainted with the needs of their coming generations, no one else can do that.
YOUSAF ALAMGIRIAN
Rawalpindi