BALOCHISTAN, which was neglected for so long, is currently at the top of the development agenda with six mega projects worth Rs 120 billion under execution there. The paradigm shift in Islamabad?Ts attitude to Balochistan has however led to a situation not expected by Islamabad.
Violence against the symbols of state power has reached levels never seen before. A report issued by the provinces?T IGP tells of 771 rockets fired during 2002-2004, killing 15 and injuring 50. The number of bomb blasts and attacks on security personnel during the last three years has been unprecedented in the province?Ts history.
Last month, 11 persons, mostly civilians, were killed and 21 injured when a bomb was detonated near a military vehicle in Quetta. Numerous incidents of violence have taken place during the last week. These include a powerful explosion which jolted a paramilitary base in Turbat, another blast in front of the FC officers mess in Kalat and yet another in Quetta. A lady doctor working in the Sui Field Hospital was severely roughed up by unknown persons who broke into her room inside the hospital.
The routine reaction by the administration to such cases is to arrest ?osuspects?, mostly workers of nationalist parties, despite their leaders invariably condemning acts of terrorism; announce compensations for the victims and vow to deal with the miscreants with an iron hand. This has gone on for the last three years without in the least improving the situation. On the other hand arbitrary arrests continue to add to resentment.
There are many who think the highly centralised and bureaucratic approach to development is a major reason behind the resentment. Development projects are conceived in far-off Islamabad without consulting local people or considering their real needs, and without associating local stakeholders in the process.
This creates a perception among the people that while those from outside the province make big gains; they are not provided the opportunity to share in the fruits of development. Gwadar is cited as an example. It is maintained that the provincial share in the profits accruing from the projects is insignificant and that the development benefits others. In the Saindak project for instance, the Chinese get 74 percent, the federal government 25 percent, and the province only 1 percent.
It is also contended that while the federal government earns Rs 65 billion from the Sui gas fields, the province is given a meager Rs 5 billion. There is a need for both the government and the nationalist parties to avoid the language of threats. The government should release political activists arrested on mere suspicion and those boycotting the parliamentary committee on Balochistan should again join the ongoing deliberations to evolve a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues, including the mega projects. |
