SCBA moot on Balochistan: It will be too late if remedial steps not taken now, warn speakers

Without political will, the resolution of existing economic, social and law and order problems may remain a challenge in Balochistan, argued a large number of politicians and lawyers on Saturday. They were speaking at a National Conference on 'Balochistan Issue and Its solution' organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
The SCBA issued a 15-point Balochistan Declaration after a day-long consultation participated by members of various political parties and heads of the provincial Bar Associations. PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif said that if "we want to put the Balochistan on the path of peace and development, we have to resolve the grievances of the Baloch people. We need to find out the culprits behind the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti".
He said that everyone was collectively responsible for the prevailing situation in the province, adding that if remedial measures were not taken now, it "will be too late". He said that it should be determined who was responsible for provoking the people to turn into rebels in Balochistan, adding that the way Akbar Bugti's body was desecrated "why his heirs should not become rebels?"
Sharif repeatedly said that Akbar Bugti's killers were presented with a Guard of Honour. Presenting solutions for resolving the issues Balochistan, PTI's Chairman Imran Khan suggested granting unconditional blanket amnesty, adding that instead of going for a military solution, the policing system should be strengthened to address issues of the province.
He recommended provincial autonomy for Balochistan and said that a comprehensive 10-year development plan should be materialised in the province on a priority basis. Criticising the current set-up in Balochistan, former chief of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Qazi Hussain Ahmed said he wondered why dispensation of justice was not possible in Balochistan despite the inclusion of Baloch and Pakhtun people in the government. He said rights of the Baloch people over natural resources should be protected.
Another JI leader Professor Ibrahim demanded of the government to withdraw FC from Balochistan. PPP's Senator Raza Rabbani said that grand alliance of Judiciary and Parliament with strict adherence to the Constitution was the need of the hour to resolve multiple problems of Balochistan. Rabbani insisted that dialogue, rule of law and autonomy (DRA) was the best viable strategy to resolve outstanding issues of the province. Rabbani said that strong provinces guaranteed a stable federation.
Secretary-General of the PML-Q Mushahid Hussain Syed said that it was necessary to change people's mindset in Balochistan, adding: "They must abstain from nationalism." An MQM leader, Haider Abbas Rizvi, said: "To address the prevailing situation in Balochistan, we must take into account socio-economic and political issues." He pointed out that rifts were being developed in the province by spilling the blood of the Hazara people in the name of sectarianism in Balochistan.
Yasin Azad, the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), said that mere suo motu actions were not sufficient to resolve Balochistan's long list of issues. He urged political leadership to overcome the crisis faced by the Baloch people. Former SCBA president Asma Jahangir said that political will was vital to resolve all issues of Balochistan, adding that the role of intelligence agencies in the country, particularly in Balochistan, was detrimental to the country's existence.
Vice-President of the Pakistan Bar Council Akhtar Hussain, President of Hazara Qaumi Jirga Haji Abdul Qayyum Changazi, Senator Abdul Malik Baloch of the National Party, Awnash Bugti of the Jamhoori Watan Party also spoke on the occasion. Balochistan Declaration: Later, Balochistan Declaration was announced which recommended that politics of garrison should be replaced by civilian authorities, open trial of those who killed Nawab Akbar Bughti, renegotiations of the question of provincial autonomy with economic resources to the province.
It suggested to resolve current issues in the province through political dialogue, negotiations and through building confidence between the people of Balochistan and the federal government. It recommended an effective mechanism in post-18th Amendment scenario to ensure all natural resources in Balochistan under the control of the local people. The Declaration stated that all economic, social rights of the people who were settled in Balochistan from other parts of the country would be protected irrespective of their language, caste or beliefs.
It added that the apex court should be commended for taking up the case of the missing people in Balochistan, but urged that those accused of heinous crimes of killings and disappearances should be brought to justice. "An inter-parliamentary committee should prepare a White Paper on the human right violation carried out in Balochistan during the Musharraf regime to the present day."
The report should be presented and discussed in the Parliament, the Declaration stated. It also called for immediately releasing all political prisoners and missing persons in custody of various state agencies, besides paying compensation to the heirs of those who had lost their lives/ or were disabled during the conflict situation in the province.
"All religious leaders of different sects should commit themselves to create the culture of tolerance and religious harmony respecting each other's beliefs and ideological thoughts", it said.
The Declaration recommended a rigorous training programme for FC and police to respect human rights in the province, adding that the FC should be prohibited from going beyond their scope of work and warned not to act in an illegal manner. In parallel to political negotiations, all military and para-military operations should be stopped forthwith and the army and Frontier Constabulary should be called back to cantonments. "This consultation calls upon political parties to play a proactive role in promoting a democratic culture in Pakistan. Towards this end political parties may consider signing of yet another Charter of Democracy, so that they may gain the confidence of the people and play a leadership role rather remain resigned to the status quo.