Baloch are not traitors: Jamali

Criticising the country’s politicians and the establishment circles for declaring Baloch as traitors deliberately, chief of the Jamali tribe in Balochistan Sardar Yar Muhammad Khan Jamali has emphasised that Baloch leaders are patriotic and loyal Pakistanis. He stated this at a conference titled “We Deserve Crisis or Growth” held at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Thursday. The elder Jamali is an uncle of former prime minister of Pakistan Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and also the sitting deputy chairman of Senate, Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali. “The Baloch elders are often dubbed traitors but they are not. Politicians and the establishment deliberately declare the Baloch leaders as traitors to achieve their vested interests,” the Jamali chieftain said.
Late Nawab Akbar Bugti, Sardar Ataullah Mengal and Nawab Khair Bukhsh Marri had often been dubbed as traitors by the politicians and rulers of the country, largely considered an injustice with the Baloch leaders and the people of Balochistan. Regretting that the resources of Balochistan were not being shared with the people of the province, Jamali said that Pakistan is uselessly engaged in the ‘war on terror’, which is actually the war of the United States (US).
The Jamali elder was of the view that first Pakistan fought for many years with Russia in the Afghan war and now the country is engaged in the US-brokered never-ending ‘war on terror’ that is against the national interests and has shattered the economic and political foundations of the country as well as claiming more than 35,000 precious Pakistani lives.
“The rulers should give top priority to developments in the water sector,” he said. “India is diverting the river waters that enter Pakistan but the policymakers are least interested in developing water channels and large dams.”
Blaming international forces for the destabilisation in Balochistan, the Jamali tribe chief urged the government to improve governance in the province, adding that the US had neglected the importance of Balochistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Balochistan Economic Forum President Sardar Shaukat Popalzai said the law and order situation in Balochistan is very critical and the government should make serious efforts to curb killings and bomb blasts in the ravaged province.
“There is enormous potential for investment and growth in Balochistan that should be exploited through hectic efforts and long-term vision,” he said. “The unexploited treasures of coal, gas, metals and marbles can give billions of dollars in revenue if these natural resources are further explored and developed to meet the growing national requirements.”
The CEO of TradeKey – a leading web-based trade portal – Junaid Mansoor said the use of internet should be expanded to augment economic cycle, trade, skills and livelihoods.
“Exports can be doubled through the increased use of internet in the country,” he claimed. “TradeKey is facilitating 100 Pakistani mobile phone importers to buy Chinese mobile phones online at reduced costs.”
Urging businessmen, exporters, importers and youngsters to explore the potential of trade through internet, Mansoor pointed out that his company was the second largest trade portal in China that is an honour for Pakistan.