Senators of Balochistan have demanded of the government to take practical measures without any delay to implement "Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan" package and give maximum provincial autonomy for securing the rights of the people. They also demanded of the government to announce general amnesty for Baloch political workers and open dialogue with people of Balochistan who feel neglected.
Balochistan Senators demanded of the government to start trial against Pervez Musharraf for the murder of Jamhuri Wattan Party (JWP) Chief Nawab Akbar Bugti and conduct investigation on the murder of Baloch political leaders including Ghulam Muhammad, Lala Munir, Munir Ahmed and others.
Senators made these demands while speaking on "Aghza-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan" package in joint sitting of the Parliament here on Monday. Chairman Senate Farooq H Naik chaired the joint session of the Parliament. The Senators said that the government should play its pivotal role for the recovery of missing persons of Balochistan. Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said that trial must be initiated against Musharraf for violating the constitution and brutally killing Nawab Akbar Bugti.
He said that the interests of Baloch people were usurped strengthening Islamabad (Federation) instead of the units. "A strong center is danger for Pakistan while strong units will strengthen the country," he said.
He claimed that as many as 4000 persons were missing while Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) stations were filled with these people. He added that hundreds of missing people were locked in ATF's jails in Quetta. "I think that the government is not in position to release these people," he claimed.
About Balochistan's resources, Bizenjo said that there was Rs 307 billion of gas royalty in 1991 while the present government has announced to give Rs 120 billion during next 12 years.
About Gwadar, the Senator claimed that Former President Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have encouraged corruption in the name of Gwadar's development. "At Gwadar port, the government's land was sold at nominal price. There is nothing and everything is incomplete in Gwader," he said. He requested Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani to give order to take land into government custody and probe its unlawful selling.
Bizenjo said that the government should announce to withdraw the military from cantonments in Balochistan and hand over control to FC. Federal Minister for Postal Services Mir Israr Ullah Khan Zehri of Balochistan National Party-Awami (BNP-A) termed "Aghza-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan" package as good gesture while participating in the debate. He said that Federation should have control on four main sector including defence, currency, foreign affairs and communication and give others to the provinces.
"PPP-Government, Mian Nawaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other political parties should play their role for holding negations with disgruntled people of the province and for the recovery of missing persons. He said that FIR should be lodged against those who murdered Baloch leaders including Nawab Akbar Bugti.
"Balochs are not traitor but those people fit in this definition who are exploiting the nation," he said. He proposed that the government should give constitutional protection to Gwadar and make it free economic zone. He said that if the government provides 5000 jobs to the people of Balochistan then it would go to its credit. Shahid Hassan Bugti of Jamhuri Wattan Party (JWP) said that any package could not compensate the hardships of Balcoh people. He said that the government should take practical measures to remove the deprivations of Baloch people and recover missing persons and release all political workers.
"Bugti case is very crystal clear and there is no need of any commission. The FIR has been lodged against Musharraf. I request the Prime Minister to initiate trial against Musharraf. He (Musharraf) had said, 'he will hit Bugti in such a way that he would not know what happened to him," he said. He said that if the voting was carried out in the House, a heavy strength would cast vote in the favour of trial against Musharraf.
"We reject the abolishment of concurrent list if all the powers were not given to the provinces. The government should take steps for the rights of Baloch people and in this regard opposition is ready to support it," Shahid Bugti said. Senator Mian Raza Rabbani while responding to opposition said that the package has not been brought in the Parliament for voting and the only purpose was to make improvement in it through incorporating the proposals of Parliamentarians during the debate. He said that for the first time in the history of Pakistan Balochistan issue is being discussed in the joint sitting of the parliament.
Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur of PPP said that for the first time a democratic government took step to give the rights to the people of Balochistan. In this regard, the package is first step of the government.
About the NRO, he said that he did not take benefit from the NRO. "If it is proved that I am beneficiary of the NRO, I will tender resignation from the seat of National Assembly otherwise, the Law Minister should resign from his position," he made it clear on the floor of the House. Maulvi Asmatullah, Mir Ahmadan Khan Bugti, Naseer Bhutta, Ms Tahira Aurangzeb and ANP Senators Haji Muhammad Adeel and Zahid Khan also participated in the debate on Balochistan Package.