Senators from across the political divide on Wednesday expressed their concern over the worsening law and order in Balochistan, saying the way forward was meaningful dialogue between estranged Baloch leaders, army and the Frontier Corps (FC).
During a debate in the Upper House on Wednesday, the senators said if the estranged Baloch leaders had no trust in the Pakistani government, they could be provided security guarantee from friendly countries like Saudi Arabia. While the House was debating the matter, the members strongly took exception to the absence of the interior minister, Rehman Malik. Members from the PML-N, ANP and JUI staged a token walkout of the proceedings to register their protest over the lack of seriousness on part of the minister. The members of the Upper House said cancer could not be treated by a medicine meant for fever, warning that if the situation was not controlled, the country could face another tragedy like East Pakistan.
Initiating the debate, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said the Balochistan issue could be resolved by direct negotiations with the Baloch people and removing their sense of deprivation. He said problems of Balochistan had political and constitutional background that needed to be addressed with serious efforts at proper level.
Suriya Amiruddin said Balochistan was facing a number of problems including kidnapping for ransom, shortage of water, unemployment and law and order. Kalsoom Parveen said the government had announced the Aghaz Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package for the people of the province, but unfortunately only a third of the package had been implemented so far. Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hassani said the discussion on Balochistan was an important initiative and all members from both sides of the divide must seriously give their suggestions to resolve the issue.
