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BALOCHISTAN CONFLICT
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Visits
1242
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Visits
1242
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Visits
1242
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February 24, 2012
We, the Pakistanis, have a strange way with things. We are masters at turning and twisting things as and how we wish to. In past we have even fancied our chances, though abortively, to re-write history. We squarely blamed the tragic incidents of Pakistan’s dismemberment to an Indian conspiracy without making even a slightest reference to our internal policy debacles. In Balochistan, like always, the time is running out and in Pakistan’s case, like always, it is never too late.
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America’s new found love for championing the cause of ‘right of self-determination of Baloch people’ and concern expressed for human rights violation is born out of the womb of real-politick rather than pacifist leanings or human compassion.
The recent American move vis-à-vis Balochistan issue should not be a surprising development for three basic reasons. Firstly, timing of American moves is very critical. The Congressional Hearing on the issue of Balochistan and resolution moved by a US lawmaker in the House of Representatives comes at a time when Pakistan has launched its own diplomatic initiative to build a regional consensus on emerging geo-political situation viz-a-viz the endgame in Afghanistan. Subsequent to NATO air raids at Salala Check post near Mohmand tribal region in November last year, which claimed lives of 24 Pakistani soldiers, Pakistan principally decided to halt land route supplies to NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan and boycotted the Bonn Summit, despite repeated US requests. This in turn seriously damaged the already fragile and troubled Pak-US relationship.
Prior to these developments Pakistan’s role was seen central to political reconciliation and endgame in Afghanistan. However, Americans and many of its NATO allies saw Pakistan’s decision to boycott Bonn Summit as a ploy to derail the fragile process of political reconciliation and security transition in Afghanistan. Ever since the Americans have deliberately ignored and sidelined Pakistan in key decision-making processes in Afghanistan. Such moves from Pakistan also prompted Americans to give a greater role to Indians in Afghanistan beyond 2014, much to the detriment and strategic apprehensions of the former. Americans encouraged Afghan President Hamid Karzai to sign a strategic partnership agreement with India. Signing of such an agreement was virtually a strategic nightmare for Pakistan, despite its diplomatic appearances and posturing.
Secondly, after long last, Pakistan was able to break free from the vicious cycle of toeing America’s line, and for the first time gained a position to formulate its independent foreign policy, moving away from American imprints. For instance, Pakistan’s bold stance to sign mega gas pipeline project with Iran in face of stiff American pressure and opposition, particularly at a time when Washington is trying to impose a harsh sanction regime against Tehran, have not been taken well in Washington’s policymaking circles. On top of that, Pakistan hosted a trilateral summit of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan which also prompted latest US moves on Balochistan issue.
Thirdly, geo-strategically, the province of Balochistan is located at cross-roads of competing regional and international interests. Being situated at cross-section of Central and South Asia region, it naturally becomes a lucrative piece of land for any super power of the day. So the American interests in Balochistan are for same reasons. After getting bold and clear signals from Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the declaration of trilateral summit, not to provide their land or become part of any US plans to invade Iran, Balochistan becomes all the more important for the US. With reference to New Great Game in Central Asian region, the warm water ports of Balochistan are of immense significance for Americans. So Pakistan should expect to see a steady rise in voices of lobbyist and propagandist highlighting and projecting the case of Balochistan on various forums in America and elsewhere in the world.
Pakistani government’s indifference to woes and rightful demands of Baloch people, its non-serious approach to reach out to disenchanted segments of Baloch youth, its utter disregard to killing and dump operation of state’s intelligence agencies, its inability to exercise its political authority and take a leading role in effective conflict management have provided external powers (read the US) with an opportunity to fish in our troubled waters. So instead of raising hue and cry against American interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs, Islamabad would do well to put its own house in order.
The latest US move calls for serious soul searching and demands all the political stakeholders to show maturity and urgency. As long as the political leadership does not assert its authority over the military and ensure civilian supremacy, and as long as the superior judiciary does not award punishments to murderers of Nawab Akbar Bugti, no political government in Pakistan would be able to make serious inroads on Balochistan conflict.
One thing is for sure, you cannot resolve the issue of Balochistan by appeasing them politically, but confronting them militarily. Political compensation in the form of Balochistan Package, 7th National Finance Commission Award (NFC) and 18th Amendment are going hand in hand with alarming rise in enforced disappearances and kill and dump operations in Balochistan. At the same time, state must also be cognizant of the fact that despite all the state-led propaganda, no one is ready to buy the outdated narrative that insurgency is work of few miscreants and state’s law enforcement agencies are engaged in a constructive way in Balochistan. Had that been the case, local masses would have been praising the law enforces and condemning the Balcoh insurgents. However, the exact opposite is true. Generally people are appreciative of insurgents for raising the voice of Baloch and apprehensive of law enforcers for their excesses.
We, the Pakistanis, have a strange way with things. We are masters at turning and twisting things as and how we wish to. In past we have even fancied our chances, though abortively, to re-write history. We squarely blamed the tragic incidents of Pakistan’s dismemberment to an Indian conspiracy without making even a slightest reference to our internal policy debacles. In Balochistan, like always, the time is running out and in Pakistan’s case, like always, it is never too late.
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