Senators call for steps to resolve Balochistan issue

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Senators call for steps to resolve Balochistan issue * Legislators demand minimising agencies’ role in province * Say target killings, forced disappearances should stop immediately By Ijaz Kakakhel ISLAMABAD: Members of the Upper House of parliament on Monday asked the government to take appropriate measures for the resolution of the Balochistan issue, and called for minimising agencies’ role in decision-making and making parliament more powerful. The senators, while noting that a number of committees had been formed, meetings held on the Balochistan issue, demanded the government take practical measures for resolving the problem. Calling for an end to target killings and disappearance of citizens, the legislators warned that the province would totally disconnect itself from Islamabad if this trend continues. Opposition leader in the House, Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, regretted non-implementation of parliament’s decisions and a deteriorating law and order situation. BNP’s Hasil Bizenjo said it is time for parliament to show wisdom and work for reclaiming its right to make foreign policy. He said that to ensure peace the government should stop target killings and suicide attacks in Balochistan. People are dying of hunger, suicide attacks and poor law and order situation, he said, adding that “if we fail to stop killings in Balochistan, improve economic condition of the country, then there is no justification for being in parliament”. PML-F’s Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah said that both the National Assembly and Senate should address the problems confronting the country, including that of law and order, economy, unemployment, high inflation and insecurity. Speaking on the occasion, ANP’s Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel observed East Pakistan seceded because the rulers in West Pakistan could not accept their mandates. In Pakistan, he said the governments always mete out injustice to nationalists. He urged giving consideration to their views, warning that the country would disintegrate otherwise. The senator also demanded removal of a restriction that bars non-Muslims from becoming prime minister or president of the country. PML-N’s Senator Ishaq Dar was of the view that deprivation of Balochistan people should be removed immediately. Another PML-N senator, M Humza, was of the view that the PPP-P government had totally failed to follow the party slogan of ‘Roti, Kapra, Makan’, saying people were dying due to poverty. He noted sectarian violence was on the rise, Karachi is not safe and judiciary’s decisions are not being implemented in letter and spirit. PML-Q’s Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed asked the government to address the Balochistan issue on a priority basis. He said if the government can talk to India, then why can’t it hold a dialogue with Baloch leaders who had picked up arms for their rights.