Balochistan has been facing problems since its independence. About 60 years have passed, but so far every government in Pakistan has failed to address Baloch grievances, due to which the resentment of the Baloch has become intense.
Not surprisingly, Balochistan is the most poorly represented province in national services. From 1995 to 2003, the number of ex-servicemen from Balochistan was only 3,753, while in Punjab and the NWFP the numbers were 1,335,339 and 229,856 for the same period, which probably compel the Baloch to think that they are treated as third class citizens.
In the matter of foreign ministry, just 18 officers, out of 478, belong to Balochistan. There is no one in the officer grade 22 from Balochistan. All this makes it clear that the Baloch are being ignored in every field.
Furthermore, in the Gwadar project the local people are not being given the opportunity to work, while people are brought from different parts of the country. This is despite the fact that the Musharraf regime had promised to provide employment to the local people.
Further, the disastrous flood of 2007 washed away hundreds of homes in Balochistan and destroyed the source of people’s income. It is now a year and still the flood victims are compelled to live in tents under sweltering heat, without any facilities.
The government must strike a balance among all the units of the federation in order to address the grievances of the small provinces, especially Balochistan. Asif Zardari has to change all promises into action, which were made after the February election regarding Balochistan.