The announcement that no new cantonment will be established in Balochistan by the army chief has been received as a positive step towards addressing the desires of the war weary Baloch people.
This certainly endorses the apolitical policy shift we have seen on the security front since Musharraf’s ouster. The turning of Sui cantonment into an educational city with the last battalion ready for withdrawal is surely a part of this renewed security paradigm.
The developmental projects initiated in Balochistan such as that at Chamalang coal mines, Kassa marbles has been instrumental in providing employment and education opportunities to thousands.
Similarly, the conversion of two cantonments into educational institutes and a cadet college that aims to provide higher education to the locals and the induction of Balochi youth into the armed forces is bound to upgrade the social conditions. This inspires hope and dispels to reverse the popular perception that the Pakistani security forces are behind every woe of the province.
This, however, highlights the inability and inadequacy of the political government to initiate the ventures proposed in the Package announced for the Balochistan province.
Although, providing the Baloch with quality education and training is one sure means of addressing their problems, the main issue, however, remains politico-economic in nature, which can be reversed only when the state apparatus starts to function effectively and realise the tremendous responsibilities that lie on its shoulders.
AYAANA MALIK
Islamabad
