Govt puts dialogue with rebel Baloch chieftains on back burner

Pur Amn Balochistan package left halfway

Federal govt yet to pay its share of Rs 2.5 billion

With the overwhelming response from the people of Balochistan to the Independence Day celebrations and the surrender of Ferrari commanders and militants, the Balochistan government has put the Pur Amn Balochistan programme on the back burner, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.

Documents available with this scribe and background interviews with senior officials of the provincial and federal governments have revealed that the government is considering scrapping the dialogue process with rebel tribal chiefs. No federal or Balochistan official was ready to speak on the record. Senior officials did speak on the matter, but on the condition of anonymity due to its sensitive nature.

“After the statement of Brahamdagh Bugti asking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in Balochistan militarily, we are left with no option but to scrap the dialogue process. We don’t need to talk to rebels who seek support from enemies,” a senior official of the provincial government told Pakistan Today.

Baloch Republican Party (BRP) chief Brahamdagh Bugti had on August 14 asked India to help Baloch militants the way it had extended help for creation of Bangladesh. “If international community could intervene in Libya and Syria, why not in Balochistan,” Bugti had said.

The senior Balochistan official said that after the provocative statement by Brahamdagh Bugti on Pakistan’s Independence Day, there was no room for talks with him or any other militant.

“Baloch nation rejected the call the next day by burning effigies of Brahamdagh Bugti and Modi. This patriotic reaction reflects that Bugti and his allies had become irrelevant,” said the source.

The official further said that Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri was planning to brief the media on his future strategy on September 4 (in Quetta) and would take senior journalists into confidence over the matter.

PACKAGE AWAITS FEDERAL GOVT’S SUPPORT:

Documents available with Pakistan Today reflect that the Balochistan government has been unable to fully implement the “Pur Amn Balochistan package”. With the initial success of this package, the government seems to be complacent in implementing the promises it had made with the Ferrari commanders.

Under the Pur Amn Balochistan policy, total portfolio of the package was fixed at around Rs 5 billion. Out of this amount, a sum of Rs 2.5 billion was to be provided by the provincial government, while the federal government was to provide the remaining Rs 2.5 billion. Nevertheless, the federal government has not paid even a single penny yet, according to a document of the provincial government.

When contacted, a senior official at the Prime Minister’s House admitted that no payment had yet been made by the federal government. “Yes, no payment has been made by the Finance Ministry. We will release funds when the provincial government moves a summary in this respect,” the official added.

Per the document, the provincial government has paid Rs 2.9 billion to the families of victims of terrorist attacks by Ferraris and militants. Under the Pur Amn Balochistan package, the document says, several financial incentives were offered to the surrendering Ferrari commanders and their associates.

According to the document, a sum of Rs 0.5 million has been paid to the surrendering Ferraris while another Rs 1 million have been paid to Ferraris commanders who laid down their weapons and joined the peace process. Separately, Rs. 1.5 million have been paid to top militant leaders who have joined the peace process.

The provincial government has also paid for the cost of weapons and ammunition handed over by the Ferraris as per the depreciated value. It has also paid ‘diyat’ to the families of victims and those injured in terrorist attacks.

NO JOBS FOR FERRARIS YET:

The documents also carry legal incentives given to the surrendering militants which include remission of cases filed by the state or tribal elders against the Ferraris. The documents also carry some condition and assurances given by tribal chiefs on behalf of surrendering militants which include a guarantee that Ferraris will not be involved in anti-state activities.

Under the rehabilitation package, the provincial government had to provide jobs to militants in the army, Frontier Constabulary and police and Levies by making relaxations in the selection criteria.

According to the proposal, 200 jobs were sought in the Levies, 100 in police, 100 in the Labour and Manpower Department, 100 in the Sports and Culture Department, 100 in Social Welfare and Youth Affairs Department and another 100 in the Education Department. But, no job has yet been provided as the matter has been taken up with the prime minister and Ministry of Interior for arrangements of employment/jobs for surrendering Ferraris in relevant agencies.

Also, the militants above thirty years of age were to be given certified vocational training through BITE, GITE or TEVTA. Moreover, those not interested in vocational training or jobs were to be given financial assistance for carrying out businesses, livestock or land farming. But, there is no progress till date.

The document says that the amount given for businesses was to be monitored regularly.

The rehabilitation package also includes social security measures, including free education for wards of surrendering Ferraris in the government, FC or army institutions till higher secondary level.

Per the document, free medical treatment should also be given to the family of the surrendering militants for five years through the Pur Amn Balochistan Card. It was decided that rehabilitation centre would be established in 12 districts.

Moreover, NGOs working in the same field may also be asked to establish such camps.

The government had also to establish a mechanism for monitoring of behaviours and activities of all militants.

Under the decision, forensic data of the Ferraris had to be obtained by respective agencies and added to the digital data.

Moreover, the surrendering Ferraris were also asked to report to local police stations fortnightly for six months, then once in a month for next six months and then once in two months once a year.

MONITORING SYSTEM:

The provincial government has notified several committees to ensure effective implementation of the Pur Amn Balochistan package, including the provincial steering committee, provincial support committee, divisional monitoring committee and district implementation committee. A sum of Rs 50 million was released for the purpose last year, while a summary has been moved for release of another Rs 100 million to the competent authority.

The summary for release of Rs 125 million, including Rs 25 million for payment of surrendered weapons, was forwarded for approval of the Balochistan chief minister on December 07, 2015 which was approved later on.

As per the Pur Amn Balochistan policy, the deputy director projects, regional headquarters NADRA Quetta has been directed to furnish rates of at least 600-650 computerised support card with security features in favour of the surrendering Ferraris. Accordingly, the regional headquarters NADRA Quetta has forwarded the request to the headquarters NADRA Islamabad for an early response.

SECURITY OF SURRENDERING MILITANTS:

The matter of security of the surrendering militants is a major issue as those who laid down their weapons need proper security arrangements. According to the deputy commissioners concerned, Ferraris are being provided foolproof security through FC, Police and Levies in their respective jurisdiction.

The document says that a summary of Rs 25 million has been moved for payment against surrendered weapons with the competent authority. No weapons permit could be issued to the surrendering Ferraris as the Supreme Court has imposed a ban on the issuance of permits. However, instead of permit, proper arms licences could be issued as per rules.