Initiatives in Resolving Balochistan Issue

Time Line

·     Balochistan, the largest province in Pakistan. Its location astride the oil lanes of the Persian Gulf, at the triangle where Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan meet, makes it geopolitically and strategically the most important part of Pakistan. Balochi culture is primarily tribal, and traditional.

·     Poor handling of Balochistan issue by the past governments has led to alienation of the Baloch youth. Baloch opposition have grown  because of early government’s heavy handed armed response to Baloch militancy and its refusal to negotiate demands for Political and economic autonomy.

PPP’s Vision and initiatives for Balochistan

·     Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1970s took first major initiative for Balochistan whose forward policy abolished the Sardari system.

·     Shaheed Mohtaram Benazir Bhutto said in her speech at Dera Allah Yar just seven days before her martyrdom that ‘I have come to Balochistan with the message of peace and brotherhood.

·     SMBB also recognized that the situation in Balochistan had deteriorated because of use of forces instead of resolving the issue through dialogue.

·     SBMM assured that the PPP would give equal rights to all the provinces and exploitation would be ended to enable the people of Balochistan to move forward with honour.

Present Government on Balochistan

·      Pakistan is going through a phase of transition of democracy and in its three years the Government took steps to set its direction straight and resolve issue of Balochistan.

• It is only political government that initiated negotiation with the angry segment of Baloch population and approached a mutually acceptable formula.
• The democratic government made a commitment to set up a ‘reconciliation committee’.
• For the first time in the history of Pakistan, a government has taken extraordinary measures to address the deprivation of the people of Balochistan.
• Provincial autonomy and the use of provincial resources for the people was the most fundamental grievance of Baloch people, which is best addressed by the people’s government.

Consultation/Reconciliation Process

·     The SMBB reconciliation commission formed by the People’s government in March 2008 met people belonging to different shades of opinion from Balochistan.

·     Another commission was formed to formulate recommendations for political, administrative and economic reforms in Balochistan.