Ride on, Raisani!

By
Qudssia Akhlaque
-
19
288

While Balochistan bleeds, the CM races a three-wheeler in Islamabad

In this photograph the biker merits attention. Try guessing who rides this fancy open-air vehicle. Neither Islamabad’s head security honcho Rehman Malik nor a pampered teenager. Cruising in the capital city of Islamabad on this rare and jazzy blue three-wheeler is a VVIP, a political leader on a power ride and sans security.

Believe it or not but it is the Chief Minister of our country’s largest and most troubled province of Balochistan. The 56-year-old Mr Aslam Khan Raisani, the one very often missing in action from Quetta. This spectacle left my driver Lajbar Khan impressed who praised him endlessly for going around without any security trappings. “Yeh tu manna parhey ga k yeh bohot dalair adami hai,” Khan exclaimed. One wondered if it was Mr Raisani’s spirit of adventurism, valiance, rebellious mind-set or his survival instinct that made him venture into this free-spirited ride. Or maybe the tragic deaths of many VVIPs and non-VVIPs in this country, with or without security cover, that have made the man from Balochistan indifferent to security trappings.

Mr Raisani, who spends most of his days in Islamabad, was photographed when he left the Gun & Country Club after his day’s fitness regime on this head-turner of a scooter and halted at the traffic signal. But upon realising that he was photographed, the CM zoomed off like a bullet, disappearing within seconds. He could also do this on his Harley Davidson, the dream vehicle of all bike-riders.

Mr Raisani can correct me, but from the looks of it, it seems that perhaps pressured by the fast deteriorating security conditions of the people in his province, the CM has sort of opted out. To soothe his own frazzled nerves, the tormented Mr Raisani has opted for the serene environs of the city away from the bleeding Balochistan. Tension-free in Islamabad, he can indulge in his five-star bikes and three-wheelers. In Balochistan, the CM and most others in the Assembly insist, it is not they who control the affairs of Balochistan on the security front. It’s the army-controlled FC, they say.

In fact, the PPP President of Balochistan, Lashkari Raisani, resigned from his party post pleading ‘no authority.’ Politicians often argue that matters in Balochistan are ‘too complicated.’ Even the more determined Senator Raza Rabbani, asked by the PM to head the Aghaaz-i-Haqqooq-i- Balochistan Committee, concedes in private that there wasn’t much that the civilians controlled on missing persons and security front etc.

Meanwhile, Mr Raisani, who spends most of his time with friends and new family, nestled in the comfortable capital, may be engaged in some soul-searching, some free-wheeling brain-storming sessions plus some lateral thinking, to help him devise innovative solutions for Pakistan’s most suffering citizens of Balochistan.

Unfortunately, the CM, of a province fast descending into chaos, hit largely by state repression, by militant terrorism and also nationalist violence, has not often shown signs of soberly engaging with the unfolding tragedies in his province.

Significantly, at this point Balochistan has once again become the focus of attention after the controversial resolution introduced by a US Republican Congressman seeking self-determination for the Baloch. The resolution that evoked a prompt and negative reaction throughout the country, has been widely welcomed in Balochistan.

All the provincial assemblies, except the Balochistan Assembly, in which every member carries a ministerial portfolio of some sort, passed a resolution condemning the move by the American lawmaker. This speaks volume of how alienated the people of Balochistan feel and more importantly of the tacit endorsement of the resolution by the Baloch nationalists, some of whom have also openly spoken up in its favour. In the face of strong protests by the government at various diplomatic levels here and in Washington, the Obama Administration was quick to distance itself from the resolution, saying that it did not in any way reflect the government’s policy. But then no one more senior than the US embassy spokesperson stepped forward to say that Obama Administration considers Balochistan an integral part of Pakistan.

While the resolution moved by the US Congressman cannot be condoned in any way, it did serve as a wake-up call for the government and military establishment which is largely in control of the province. To give the devil his due the resolution by the US Congressman has again woken up our leaders from their recurring criminal slumber on the deeply wronged Balochistan. The media too has been re-invigorated.

Yet again the government is calling an APC on Balochistan. How will this be more productive than the previous one? We will all wait and see how deep the government’s concern is for the people of Balochistan. Meanwhile, you ride on, Mr Raisani!

The writer is a senior journalist and has been a diplomatic correspondent for leading dailies. She was an Alfred Friendly Press Fellow at The Chicago Tribune in the US and a Press Fellow at Wolfson College, Cambridge, UK. She can be reached via email at [email protected]

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19 COMMENTS

  1. Shamelessness knows no bounds! There's a lot more to this man that Pakistanis don't know. Criminal clan is ruling Pakistan.

  2. Shameless or shameful, powerless Raisani knows he is a Chief Minister in name only. About the only activity the government of Balochistan is unofficially authorised to engage in is making money for themselves.

  4. Pakistan Today :PPP Govt. Allies & Opposition (PML-N) has no will to address Baluchistan issue they don’t priority for this issue at the moment bcoz PM is trying to escape SC contempt could be disqualify any day on the other hand they(Govt. & opposition) are preparing (19th & 20th amendments) coming election so that how to get back in power .Just for cosmetic surgery to Baluchistan isue they have called APC SO that Govt. can show to people we are serious about Baluchistan unfortunately its not the case.

  9. You should shoot him. Always hidden in security cars, such a scene makes them easy target & a golden chance so you should avail it. Kill him!Shoot him!! don’t let him go…..

  10. PPP Govt. Allies & Opposition (PML-N) has no will to address Baluchistan issue they don't priority for this issue at the moment bcoz PM is trying to escape SC contempt could be disqualify any day on the other hand they(Govt. & opposition) are preparing (19th & 20th amendments) coming election so that how to get back in power .Just for cosmetic surgery to Baluchistan isue they have called APC SO that Govt. can show to people we are serious about Baluchistan unfortunately its not the case.

  11. so he is enjoying life while Baloch people are dying.
    But if today he is expelled from govt, he will crying for Baloch people.
    Baloch leaders have equal share in sufferings of Balochs

  15. so he is enjoying life while Baloch people are dying.
    But if today he is expelled from govt, he will crying for Baloch people.
    Baloch leaders have equal share in sufferings of Balochs

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