Speakers, while deliberating on worsening human rights situation in Balochistan, unanimously demanded an immediate end to the ongoing security operation in the province and recovery of missing persons and an end to bullet-ridden bodies, besides judicial investigation for such unlawful crimes against humanity to peacefully resolve the violent Balochistan conflict.
The consensus emerged during a national seminar on 'Human rights situation in Balochistan' jointly organised by Sungi Development Foundation and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Monday.
Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo said missing persons and bullet-ridden bodies is one of the major issues in Balochistan today. He said the state itself has been the major violator of human rights in Balochistan and the province presents 18th century picture where people have no human rights at all. He said the day the prime minister announced Balochistan package, the happening of mutilated bodies started and it still continues in the province. The resentment of Baloch people has genuine reasons, adding that unfortunately the security establishment does not have the vision to address these happenings. "They are even not ready to accept such human rights violations are taking place in the province," he further added. He said no civilian government is able to deal with the issue and they have been only interested in completing their tenures peacefully without addressing the core issues of conflict. He said only common people are worried about Balochistan-federation crisis not the powerful ruling elite.
Sheikh Asad Rahman of Sungi Development Foundation said, "History of deception and broken promises, exploitation and deprivation of Baloch people started soon after the partition, when Pakistan deviated its governing structure from a Quaid's-promised confederation to a today's federation." He said Pakistani laws empower state institutions such as military through article 245 to violate human rights and remain unaccountable for their controversial actions in any court of law. He said violence could not be stopped unless security forces are brought under the civilian government and respect and obey the constitution. Nasreen Azhar of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) urged government to seriously take up issues of missing persons and demanded that law and order situation must be handled by police instead of Frontier Constabulary, calling for transparent investigation of all the cases of human rights violations.
Professor Asim Sajjad Akhtar of Workers Party Pakistan said Balochistan is a political issue and there is a war-like situation in the province. 'Pakistan should end its colonial attitude and policy towards Balochistan and bring back its security forces from there as today's unprecedented unrest and violence is direct result of the colonisation process, he added. He also screened a documentary on Balochistan titled 'negotiation at gun point which highlights gross human rights violations in the province and interviews of violence victims.-PR
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