Who can extinguish fire in Balochistan? LAHORE - Repeated statements made by various angry Baloch leaders that they want an independent Balochistan show that the steps taken by the present and previous governments to redress the grievances of the alienated people of the impoverished province have failed to deliver. The present rulers, now in the fifth and last year of their mandated term, have not been able to fathom the gravity of the situation and realise that separatist proclivities have gradually grown to an alarming extent because people of the province were not given their constitutional rights. The package – Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan - announced by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with the hope that it would change the destiny of the province has also failed to bring the desired results. In fact, the people of Balochistan say that the package is just eyewash which could not make any impact. Now the prime minister has come up with the idea of an all-party conference to discuss the situation in Balochistan and find a solution thereto. He plans to meet soon with the governor and chief minister of Balochistan to get their input on the subject and discuss with them modalities to involve all stakeholders in the dialogue process. Needless to point out that he is making these statements at a time when his own fate hangs in the balance. The Supreme Court has already charge-sheeted him for contempt and if he survives as chief executive, it will be a miracle. His idea to hold an APC is being criticised by the PML-N, the major opposition party. Mian Nawaz Sharif set two tough preconditions to participate: Arrest of Gen Musharraf on the charge of killing senior Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, and recovery of the missing persons. Publicity-hungry Interior Minister Rehman Malik immediately said that he was willing to withdraw cases against Baloch leaders living in exile. The offer was immediately ridiculed by Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, who said the interior minister had no authority to take back the cases. Interestingly, the offer did not receive a positive response even from those it was directed at. Young Baloch leader Shahzain Bugti set eight conditions for talks with the government. These conditions were impossible for the government to meet. But MQM chief Altaf Hussain said that Balochistan was on the verge of separation and the government should give the Balochs their due rights, no matter what the price. The Defence of Pakistan Council, a conglomerate of more than 40 rightist parties, is scheduled to hold an APC in Quetta today to discuss the Balochistan issue. So far, it is not clear which leaders from the province will participate. The individual efforts being made by various parties and leaders is indicative of the fact that there is no consensus on how the Balochistan problem could be solved. The writer is of the considered view that in the presence of an elected parliament there is no need for an APC. And if the APC is held, it means that even the collective wisdom of the elected representatives is not capable of grappling with the crisis. Parliament is duty-bound to discuss all problems facing the country and come up with solutions. In case it is not unable to do this, it will have little justification to stay on. When legislators claim that Parliament is supreme, it clearly means that it alone has the final word on all issues. It will be better if a joint session of Parliament is convened to discuss the Balochistan crisis. The best time for the session will be after the completion of the Senate in March 2 elections. Representatives from all provinces and all important parties should debate the problem from all aspects and propose solutions. The Baloch leaders should roll out their grievances in the house and parliamentarians from other parties should satisfy them. The session should continue till some solution is agreed upon. The elected representatives should do whatever it takes to extinguish fire in Balochistan. If a general amnesty is needed to win the hearts and minds of the angry Balochs, Parliament should take the decision. Similarly, if more development funds and jobs are needed, the parliamentarians should urge the government to arrange more money for the country’s most backward province. The parliament will have to show its power. Already, it has failed to play an effective role on the drone attacks issue, implementation of decisions taken after May 2 attack on Abbottabad, recommendations made by a committee led by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain Sayed. Needless to point out that other cooks will only spoil the broth.
