Speakers at a dialogue on "Current Situation of Balochistan and Federation of Pakistan" have said that current situation in Balochistan demands serious and concerted political action on the part of the federal government with participation of the leadership from Balochistan including all disgruntled sections of Baloch society, political parties and nationalists.
They said, "A political settlement is urgently needed and vital to address the serious threats to the federation of Pakistan." The civil society organisations - Pakistan Institute for Labour Education and Research (Piler), South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP-Pakistan), Strengthening Participatory Organisations (SPO) and Sungi Development Foundation (SDF) arranged the dialogue at local hotel on Thursday.
This dialogue was first of the planned series of activities aiming at raising the voices from Punjab for the rights of Balochistan. The civil society organisations, political parties and media representatives from all parts of Punjab participated in dialogue. Opening the dialogue, Asad Rahman of Sungi Development Foundation gave the historical background leading towards the present situation in Balochistan.
Asma Jehangir reviewed the human rights situation of Balochistan. She also focused on the working of human rights organisations. Scholar Azizuddin Ahmad pointed out immediate steps that federal government should take. He also explained the recourse the people of Punjab should raise the voice for the rights of Balochistan.
I.A. Rahman, Secretary General, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said the political rights of Balochistan were never respected. The federal government should immediately stop rubbing the salt on the wounds of Baloch population, he said, adding, "Dialogue with Baloch leadership could not be fruitful until the army was withdrawn from the province."
The participants unanimously demand that all security forces must immediately withdraw from interior Balochistan and government should ensure a permanent political solution of the problems facing Balochistan province with constitutional guarantees of political, socio-economic rights and entitlements.
The present situation in Balochistan demands serious and concerted political action on the part of the Federal Government with participation of the leadership from Balochistan including all disgruntled sections of Baloch society, political parties and nationalists.
Deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating situation, the participants take serious note of the appalling human rights violations and atrocities being perpetuated by the security forces. An increasing number of enforced disappearances of political workers, students, academics and intelligentsia is a matter of great concern and must be probed forthwith.
Feeling appalled on the fact that bands of sectarian, drug mafia and criminal gangs have been given a free hand in intimidating, forceful eviction, killing people; targeted killings and kidnappings for ransom without check, the participants said these conditions must end now to create a conducive environment for permanent political solution with the free will of its people. The participants believe that the 18th Amendment, Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan or any other political action will be an exercise in futility unless a climate of peace, harmony, trust and confidence is created in Balochistan.