Genuine issues, no redress
There can be hardly two opinions about the Baloch population being more alienated now than at any other period of history. The neglect that the province has been subjected to for more than sixty years, combined with numerous military operations, is behind the prevailing frustration which increased manifold under Musharraf when military operations were followed by the altogether new phenomenon of forced disappearances of hundreds of political activists. The killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti was a sheer act of madness which forced the Baloch youth to take to the mountains. The apologies offered by President Zardari to the Baloch people, along with the release of a couple of Baloch leaders, created a reservoir of goodwill and there was a respite from militancy. It soon transpired, however, that the government was helpless to move beyond promises. This caused further frustration and led to the perception that the Baloch grievances could not be resolved through parliamentary means.
There is an understandable perception in Balochistan that despite the enactment of the 18th amendment, the government in the province remains as powerless as ever. With the attempts to recover the disappeared persons through courts producing insignificant results, the youth has lost hopes in the SC also. Rights organizations, like the HRCP, too are seen to be meaningless. Perceived excesses by the agencies of the state have led to counter excesses that include the killings of innocent outsiders. The Baloch nationalist parties participating in mainstream politics too are under threat from militants.
The bitterness on the part of the veteran Baloch leader Ataullah Mengal who was once a part of the mainstream politics is understandable. Nawaz had no answer when asked how he could guarantee to rein in the powers who had removed his elected government and forced him into exile. Failure on the part of the political parties to provide good governance and learn from their past mistakes has provided opportunities to offstage players to continue to assert themselves. Unless politicians and the army both concentrate on their peculiar spheres and elected governments are allowed to complete their tenures, the alienation is likely to spread to other provinces also, making the country increasingly ungovernable.
After four years of kill and dump operations being carried in a province of Pakistan, it is amazing to note that it took Attaullah Mengal's press conference to remind the news media of the bloody events taking place in Balochistan. Why so little and so late? Do journalists consider Balochistan (an integral part of Pakistan) to be unimportant or not newsworthy enough?
While the brutal acts of the agencies are are obviously responsible for the growing animosity towards Pakistan among the Baloch populace, journalists must accept their share of the blame for largely ignoring the plight of their fellow citizens.
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