The government must accept the need to do something concrete about Balochistan. It must adopt a two-pronged strategy that must address the sencse of deprivation among the local resident, while exposing all elements working against Pakistan. There must also be an end to killings and disappearances, and to all other forms of lawlessness that are plaguing the province. The government must treat this problem as a top priority, for Balochistan is not only mineral-rich, of immense geostrategic importance and the country largest province by far, it is also an integral part of Pakistan.
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By Zaheerul Hassan
On February 17, 2012, US House of Representatives has tabled a bill
which
called upon Pakistan to recognize the right of self-determination for
Balochistan. The bill was introduces by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) who
indirectly tried to make an effort of materializing earlier set CIA
agenda of “Greater Balochistan” which is comprising of territory of
Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. He alleged Pakistani security forces
for violence and extrajudicial killing.
He totally tried to give
wrong
perception about Balochistan History while declaring that it was an
independently governed entity known as the Baloch Khanate of Kalat,
which came to
an end after invasions from both British and Persian armies. Whereas,
the actual fact is that in 1947 was annexed with the Pakistan as per
desires of
the Baloch.
Nonetheless, enriched with natural resources
Balochista n area wise is one of the largest province of Pakistan and
remained part of
united India till partition of 1947. The British normally used this
region as staging ground for invaders during various Afghan - British
War. The
1876 treaty between the Khan of Kalat and Robert Sandeman accepted the
independence of the Kalat as an allied state with British military
outposts in
the region. However in 1878 Afghan War, the British rule established in
Balochistan. At that time the provincial entity was included on the
municipality of Quetta, Kalat, Makran, and Lasbella.
Thus, the
above narrated facts proved that Balochistan never been an independent
region
of South Asia after 1840 and very much remained under the jurisdiction
of English government at the time of partition. It is further added here
that
divisions of Kalat, Makran Quetta and Lasbella have become integral part
of Pakistan as per partition plan. However Baglar Begi Khan haphazardly
declared the independence of Kalat on August 15, 1947. He assured the
neo-state of Pakistan that Kalat will participate in the defense and
infrastructure but will be autonomous. I want to highlight here that
declaration of independent Balochistan by Khan of Kalat have never been
well
received by the population of Makran, Quettat, Lasbella and even Kalati
people. Pakistani army entered the region to occupy the area
immediately. On
Mar 27, 1948, the Khan of Kalat gave in to the State of Pakistan. His
brother Abdul Karim Baloch refused to surrender and revolted until his
arrest in
1950. Balochistan was put under Governor General control and no elective
body formed in Balochistan until 1973.
Anyhow, earlier too, on
February 8, 2012 US Congress Committee discussed the situation of
Balochistan opposed its emancipation but shown concern over security
problem and
killing of the people.
While addressing to media, foreign office
spokesman Abdul Basit responded on February 8 and 17 said that Pakistan
had
conveyed its reservations to the US in Islamabad and Washington
regarding the talks and presentation of resolution on Balochistan by the
US Congress.
In a question he also very rightly sent a clear message to Washington
that “Pak-Iran gas pipeline project was not abandoned and it would be
completed till 2014.” Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington Sherry Rehman
raised the issue of an exclusive hearing on Balochistan by a House
Foreign Affairs sub-committee in her meetings with the members of the
Congress and senior officials of the US administration. Ms Rehman also
stated
that Islamabad strongly rejects the purpose and findings of the hearing
and considers it an “ill-advised and ill-considered” move that
will have serious repercussions for the bilateral relations. She also
added that “Pakistan views this hearing with serious concern and
considers
it unacceptable in no uncertain terms. This kind of an exercise
constitutes interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. The hearing
will be
detrimental to building mutual trust and confidence and will add to
suspicions in Pakistan about the US motives in the region and concerning
Pakistan,”.
The committee made security agencies responsible for
abduction and killing, instead of recommending her government (US) to
control CIA and its sisters agencies (RAW & Mossad) from interfering
in Balochistan. It would not be wrong in saying that CIA has decided to
gear up
her project of establishing “Greater Balochistan” which was actually
designed in “Bush era”. Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Saturday said that there is no military
operation being carried out in Balochistan and not a single soldier is
involved in any operation in the province. In fact, US thinks that
holding, capturing or creating independent state in Balochistan Region
will
provide her remunerative strategically advantages like easy excess to
Gulf through Gawdar Port, disintegration of lonely nuclear Islamic
state,
dominance over China, Russia, Persian Gulf and other Islamic countries.
Moreover,
Israel would also be facilitated in attacking Iran. In this
regard, likely chances are there that India will provide her air bases
to Israel on attacking Iran. US desire can also be confirmed from US
Defence
Secretary Leon Panetta statement, according to that he owes an
explanation to the world as his aggressive posture against the Muslim
world / Islam is
being projected by the defence forces he commands. Another view point of
US intrusive could be that US and its unholy alliance has a desire to
keep
this region instable and establish her bases even after culmination of
“Unsuccessful Afghan Mission” which is going to be end by 2013
according to US Defence Sectary (former CIA Chief) Mr. Panetta.
Interference
in Pakistani Balochistan is her primary aim because it can give
space of exploitation towards Afghanistan and Iran for shaping her
revealed project. US and India are deliberating promoting anarchy by
helping,
sheltering and funding some of anti Pakistan elements. In the first
week of August 2011, US Ambassador Cameron Munter while talking to media
stated
that they have an eye on Pakistan particularly Balochistan since the
province is strategically very important to U.S. On August 12, 2011 Mr.
Rehman
Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan while talking to the media ,
confirmed that foreign hands are involved in the unrest of Balochistan.
He also
claimed that he has the names and telephone numbers of those locals who
get instructions from abroad for causing anarchy in Balochistan. Thus,
without
any doubt one can say that US is openly carrying out interference in
Pakistani internal affairs.
US Congress, Champions of Human
rights
activists and organizations, of Western media are need to clarify that
why they remained silent over US Marines acts of urinating on the dead
bodies
of killed Taliban soldiers in so called military operations in
Afghanistan.
US and Western media are silent and failed to
condemn inhuman acts
of her allies (India and Israel) against Christians, Sikhs Maoists,
Kashmirries, Negros and Palestinian. It is advice to US leadership and
congress
to take care of her “Negroes” who are fighting for the rights of self
determination since 1930 instead of interfering in Pakistan. As per
the report 233 people lost their lives in violent incidents involving
Indian security forces in the year 2011. Among those who were killed, 11
were
students, 7 minors and 6 women. The troops also subjected three
Kashmiris to custodial disappearance and disgraced 34 women during the
period.
Kashmiri youth is determined in their resolve to get Indian occupation
forces withdrawn from Kashmir and are continuing with their efforts to
get
their rights of self-determination / freedom. The security forces
employed to suppress the freedom movement commit atrocities against the
innocent
civilians. Worst hit are the women folk who are dishonored in the
presence of their husbands, brothers and parents.
US supported
NATO’s deliberate attack on Salala Check Post and killing 24 soldiers
was the worst violation of human rights for which US top brass did not
extend apology. In short, US policy makers must extend an apology to the
Muslim world on such unbecoming behavior by US troops. Such acts of
disgrace
have actually endangered American soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan.
India and Israel be asked to stop brutality against Sikh, Kashmiries,
Christians and Maoists. American and Indian dream of capturing the
region will not be fulfilled since Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, and
Central
Asian States are well aware of unholy alliances’ hegemonic design.
Unfortunately, some of the local electronic media group has also joined
hands
of “U.S. unholy alliance” for fueling of already deteriorated security
and political situation of the country. However, the government
should take all patriotic Baloch lords on board and rush down for the
speedy development of the largest province of Pakistan. Moreover, the
steps
taken for the welfare of Baloch nation by government and Pak army should
be communicated through electronic and print media for the consumption
of
general masses.
The writer can be approached zameer36@gmail.com
(KashmirWatch)
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