Will it work?
Finally, a high level meeting between government leaders, the COAS and DG ISI presided over by Prime Minister Gilani has resulted in the agreement on taking measures to resolve the issue of the forced disappearances and killings in Balochistan. The army chief has assured that the FC would work under the provincial administration. Further that anyone found involved in forced disappearances would be taken to task. The decisions – which have come after the Supreme Court, political parties, media and civil society organisations expressed unhappiness over the situation in Balochistan – are welcome. One wonders however if they are going to be implemented in letter and spirit.
The Balochistan chief minister has to use his authority effectively which he has never done so far. Claiming that vital decisions regarding the province were being made somewhere else, Raisani has spent less than a week in Quetta during the last six months. Will the PPP leadership be willing to rein in Rehman Malik and let the provincial administration work in peace? Will it give proper weight to the multifaceted proposals presented by the provincial administration to improve the situation? Will the chief minister display the ability to control his colleagues some of whom have been accused of being involved in kidnappings, thus being a part of the problem rather than solution? Will he further ensure that the ministers do not use the FC to settle their tribal scores? There are some who think that the new initiative on Balochistan is no more than an election gimmick and the province will continue to slide into chaos.
A consensus is emerging among all political parties, including the nationalists, of Balochistan to contest the next elections. Free and fair elections can bring a more active and honest leadership to the forefront. The new administration could also hold talks with the militant leadership, something the present government has failed to do over the last four years. Much will depend on whether the ubiquitous and powerful intelligence agencies are stopped from indulging in pre-poll, mid-poll and post- poll rigging. Fair elections combined with an end to forced disappearances can go a long way in bringing hope to the otherwise alienated youth of Balochistan.
