Balochistan Can Be Saved

That governance has never been our forte is a fact that is evident from the extravagance with which incidents of violence are surfacing in Balochistan. Despite special efforts being directed towards it by the government and the armed forces, the province successfully remains grossly underdeveloped and backwards. In this backdrop it becomes essential to analyze the unrest and the factors responsible for such a state that perpetuate and subsequently lead to demands of an ‘independent’ Balochistan.

Despite severe economic setbacks there have been no cuts in the allocation of funds for the province. In the fiscal year 2010-11 Balochistan alone received Rs152bn which amounts to Rs100bn increase from that of the financial year 2004-05. Furthermore, a 4% increase in Balochistan’s share from the Divisible Pool has been a landmark of the NFC Award along with a 12-year installment of gas development charges of a total sum of Rs120bn. An additional Rs10bn grant was also released by the federal government in 2009. The shift of GST (General Sales Tax) to the provinces became another significant feature that turned into a major source of revenue generation for Balochistan.

It is an enigma why the province is experiencing yet another upheaval despite soaring of funds and resources. The age old grievances, it appears, are being exploited for the wrong ends. Why has the provincial government not been able to make a difference in the lives of the people? Why are the funds not being utilized? This underutilization of resources surely offers no genuine prospect for any miraculous improvement, thus becoming instrumental in maintaining the status quo.

The virtual indifference of the state apparatus has forced the people to lead a nomadic life in the post modern age when education and technology ought to have turned the dry barren land into an oasis of prosperity. Concentrating on trivial matters of personal interest, almost every government has leased the entire province to the sardars, who have kept strict control over the local populace turning the province into an example of personal fiefdom to maintain their power politics.

The question that needs to be asked here is who are these self appointed custodians of the Baloch people? Have they actually been chosen by the locals and have all the attributes to be classed as their true representatives? Are they actually advocating the Baloch case or once again, fueling discord? Who benefits from the formation of an independent Balochistan State? Where does the change in leadership guarantee a distinct improvement in the lives of the masses? Will the wealth that actually belongs to the citizens be made accessible to them at all or will the same exploitation perpetuate with a changed set of hands.

Background interviews with a number of prominent figures both at provincial and federal level, formerly or currently involved in the administrative or security affairs of the province almost commonly suggest that unless a massive development work is started on district levels, under a well-coordinated contingency plan, the situation cannot be turned to normal. Furthermore, cognizance of the threat of a big magnitude at national level is missing; the province can be saved from slipping into hands of insurgents if the entire nation, government, security apparatus, intelligentsia and civil society join don’t stand together. In words of former DG FC, “Pakistanis are a nation that can do wonders.”

The ability to perform miraculously, however, has been marred by the predominant sardari control over the lives of the people. These sardars can be easily classed as a growing ’beggar mafia’ with only one vocation; to sell their grievances and collect money from both the Centre and foreign forces. Thus, development of any sort would prove detrimental to this lucrative career which virtually thrives on violence and bloodshed. This turbulence and the tribal culture keep the law enforcers at bay, resulting in a huge security gap that benefits the separatist agenda.

The resultant void thus spells the need for the Frontier Corps as the only effective law enforcement agency to enter the province with the full support of the government. What was primarily the responsibility of the state was shifted conveniently to the shoulders of the FC and along with it the right to be criticized for every ill that befalls the province. Therefore, the entire security and safety aspect of the province including that of cities, borders, developmental projects etc was undertaken by the FC.

According to the data provided by the FC a total of 1,623 illegal immigrants have been checked by the law enforcement agencies in the past six months and handed over to the police for interrogation. Among them 14 were from Iran, 15 from Bangladesh and the rest Afghan citizens who had entered Balochistan illegally.
One is compelled to ask what is the apparent attraction these foreign individuals have for coming to Balochistan? Is it vacationing or sightseeing that they seek to indulge in? With an increase in violence against the state and law enforcement forces one needs to ask from where the insurgents acquire the relentless supply of arms and ammunition. Could these illegal entrants have something to do with it?

In the past six months Balochistan has witnessed around 107 incidents of attacks on gas installations, 6 on railways and railway tracks, 43 rocket attacks along with 64 incidents of targeted killings and 142 abductions by insurgents. The security forces are surely not spared by the insurgents as a total of 2,000 FC soldiers have lost their lives in these attacks so far.

With the rapidly deteriorating law and order situation the societal practices and responses have also altered visibly. It wouldn’t be entirely incorrect if we state that the society is acting as a resistant force against the fight to curb terrorism. This demoralizes the security forces that are under great duress from the threat they face from insurgents while facing an increased criticism directed towards them from within the society.
Most of us have forgotten or maybe never realized that we are at war where we have multiple enemies that can strike from every direction at any time. To end this agonizing era we have to play an equal and constructive part along with those who are fighting to keep the pieces of our land together.

The Balochistan turmoil needs to be viewed in a larger perspective that includes the economic, political and cultural context of the province in view. Where, the tribal social organization proves to be the major hindrance in exploiting available funds and resources for maintaining hegemony and perpetuating existing power paradigms. Strongholds of tribal ethnic politics over people need to be deconstructed and restructured to empower the masses.

For this state to materialize, however, coordination between all the operating forces in Balochistan is the only formula. The politicians, administration, judiciary, the society and the law enforcing agencies need to strike harmony with each other to augment their functional potential to bring long lasting peace and resolve age old issues. Peace in Balochistan is certainly not a mission impossible.