Panellists at a consultative dialogue on the Balochistan situation on Wednesday unanimously resolved that a peaceful and political solution of the Balochistan issue was vital, saying that a unified approach was needed to control the growing foreign intervention in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Terming the situation alarming, they urged Baloch political and religious groups to forge unity.
The dialogue on the 'Situation in Bolachistan: Issues and Way Forward' was organised by the Civil Society Network Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with the Sungi Foundation here at the Peshawar Press Club. Stressing that there was no dispute among Balochs and Pakhtuns, National Party's Mir Hasil Bizenjo said that about 85 per cent of the Baloch and Pakhtun populations had been deprived of their due rights, adding that both nationalities wanted nothing more than peace and stability.
Blaming state elements for escalating the situation in Balochistan and Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and elsewhere in the region, he said that the situation was worsened after the promotion of gun culture in the Pakhtun and Baloch societies. "We don't need to blame any other states, like the US, India and Afghanistan, for the turbulent situation in the region. However, there is a need to improve border security to stop infiltration. Steps are also needed for discouraging the gun culture," he said.
Referring to the adoption of Civil Action Aid Regulation Fata, and Provincially-Administered Areas (Pata) law, he said that existing black laws deprived people of their legitimate rights. "All problems should be resolved through adopption of civilian approach, instead of using force," he stressed.
Rahmat Salaam of the PML-N said that negotiations should be held with the real leadership of Balochistan. He said: "We need to take practical steps for the early recovery of missing persons, ending of violence on ethnic basis, and streamlining the Baloch society."
Israrullah Advocate of the Jamaat-I-Islami suggested equal representation of all provinces in federal bureaucracy to resolve issues confronting less privileged federating units. Referring to the Aghza-e-Huqooqe Balochistan, he said that the package had yielded no positive result
PPP's Syed Ayub Shah said that an honest political leadership was needed to resolve all issues confronting the country, particularly in Pakhtun areas and Balochalistan. He said that steps should be taken for removing the growing sense of deprivation in Balochistan, Fata and the rest of the country. Smaller federating units, he said, should be given their due rights.
JUI-F's information secretary Abdul Jalil Jan said that all stakeholders, including political and religious groups of Balochistan should take a unified stand to avoid another debacle like Bangladesh.
Calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners, he said that a conspiracy was being hatched to pit the Baloch against Pakhtuns. He also called for the formation of a jigra of all political and religious parties to chalk out a peaceful solution for the Balochistan issue. ANP's provincial General Secretary Arbab Tahir said that his party would stand with the people of Balochistan for the attainment of their legitimate rights.