Talks of Governor’s rule or an in-house change
Over the last more than four years, the situation of Balochistan has continued to deteriorate. Everyone from federal ministers to provincial CM to the law enforcement authorities seeks time to set it right. For full one month, Khuzdar suffered a complete breakdown in law and order. The entire city, including shopping areas, educational institutions and government offices, remained shut down. Meanwhile, dacoits and armed criminals snatching private vehicles had a field day while police officers advised complainants to bargain with the criminals. The SC bench hearing the Balochistan case in Quetta held that the provincial government had failed in its fundamental responsibility of protecting the basic rights of the people. There are reports of either an in-house change or imposition of Governor’s rule in the province.
The system in Balochistan, set up after 2008 elections, is itself a part of the problem. It is the only province in the country where all members of the provincial assembly, with the exception of one, are in the cabinet irrespective of their political affiliations. There is thus virtually no opposition in the assembly to call the government to account. The government has during the last four years and half let the security agencies run the province as they like. Under the seventh NFC award, Balochistan’s share in the divisible pool increased to Rs 83 billion in 2010-11 compared to Rs 29 billion in 2009-10 besides an annual receipt of Rs 12 billion in gas development surcharge arrears. The cabinet has neatly divided a fair portion of the funds among its member with each MPA/minister receiving Rs 300 million as discretionary funds. Thus the obliging CM who has ordered a new airplane for himself does not face any criticism from a contented cabinet.
Balochistan exemplifies the strengths and the grievous shortcomings of the federal government’s policy of reconciliation with all who matter. Here PPP, PML-Q, JUI-F and even PML-N are in the ruling coalition. Despite a continuously deteriorating law and order situation and unrest among the population, the government has faced no threat, except now from the SC. A discussion is taking place in Islamabad whether to impose Governor’s rule or introduce an in-house change. Balochistan, however, is still no priority for the federal government. A cabinet panel visited the province early this month and has prepared a report. The National Assembly passed a resolution to convene a commission of all parties on Balochistan. Senator Raza Rabbani presented a five-point programme in the Upper House. In the absence of any practical step, there is little likelihood of any improvement in the situation on ground with the introduction of the Governor’s rule or an in-house change.