Speakers at a conference on Saturday called for urgent measures to resolve the Balochistan issue and remove the sense of deprivation among the residents of the province.
Expressing their views at a national conference on “Balochistan Issue and Its solution”, organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the speakers from various political parties stressed for taking on board all segments in the province over all policies and development projects, besides redressing their genuine demands.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that there had been no improvement in Balochistan’s deteriorating situation as ministers did not let people of the province to benefit from Rs 10 billion given to the province under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award. Khan said the country could not be prosperous with a strong centre and fragile provinces.
He said the Balochistan issue should be resolved through negotiations. He said that it was provincial autonomy that brought development and prosperity to India. He said that politicians were working for vested interests, and could not tame the military establishment. He gave the example Turkish Prime Minister Reccep Tayyip Erdgogan who brought several generals to book with people’s support. He said that those who did politics for personal gains often compromised, while those who were committed to ideology never did so.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said the killers of Baloch leader Akbar Khan Bugti should be brought to justice. This is the starting point for giving relief and relaxation to the people of war-torn areas where bloodshed has become hallmark of the day, he said. He said that if the government, law enforcement agencies and the members of civil society were sincere to the country, they should commence this strategy. He said that unless and until Bugti’s killers were brought to justice without bias, restoring peace in the province was impossible. He lamented that former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf was accorded with guard of honour when he left the presidency, and nobody dared to held him accountable.
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain said the province enjoyed an important strategic position in the region, which had wider impacts on the neighbouring countries. He said that voice over missing persons and recovery of bodies should have been raised from Punjab. He suggested that all political prisoners should be released and dialogue with disgruntled elements be held for permanent peace in the province. He also praised Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and the lawyers for taking initiative over the issue and assured that all political parties would be standing behind them.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Muhammad Khan Sherani said a welfare state was needed to resolve the current issues. The legislation in the parliament over all issues should be done in accordance with democratic norms and not with the thrust of majority, he added.
Asma Jahangir, former president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), said that the solution of Balochistan issue was vested with the political parties, and they should take immediate initiatives in that regard. She urged to hold free and fair elections under the supervision of an independent chief election commissioner (CEC). She warned that if the status quo continued, the elections could not be held in time.
Former Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed was of the opinion that a society could not survive without justice, and enforcement of constitution could ensure all fundamental rights and provincial autonomy. He said the rights of Baloch people over natural resources should be fully acknowledged.
SCBA President Yasin Azad said the solution of Balochistan’s problems was not in taking suo motu actions because the courts could only recover the missing persons. He urged the political parties to come forward and resolve the problems of Balochistan, and assured the support of lawyers’ community.
Pakistan Bar Council Vice President Akhtar Hussain asked all the stakeholders to review the situation and introduce remedial measures for restoring peace in the province.
Abdul Qayyum Changazi, president of the Hazara Qaumi Jirga, lamented the massacre of his community, and said that fresh elections should be held across the province.
Senator Abdul Malik Baloch of National Party said that every one had to accept the status of all people living in the country as laid down in the constitution.
Awnash Bugti of the Jamhori Watan Party suggested that free and fair elections could be a base for the solution of Balochistan issue.
