The toll in Balochistan

The Daily Times tallies up the results of the violence in Balochistan that erupted in earnest last December.

Violence in Balochistan has claimed 158 lives since January 1, sources quoted Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao as telling the last cabinet meeting on law and order, with a special focus on the ongoing insurgence in Balochistan.

Of the dead, 53 were civilians and 33 personnel of law enforcement agencies, the sources quoted the minister as saying. He added that 72 rebel tribesmen (BLA men) were killed and 41 injured. He said that 147 people had also been injured since January 1.

Sherpao told the cabinet that Dera Bugti, Kohlu and Khuzdar were the main troubled districts where security personnel, government installations and infrastructure were being targeted, the sources said.

“Though incidents of rocket attacks, small arm fires and mine blasts targeting government installations have decreased considerably, there has been an upsurge in violence for the last one week because of the proscription of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and cancellation of arms licences to sardars,” the minister said.

However, Sherpao said that the overall capability of the BLA had weakened and the process of rehabilitation of displaced Kalpar, Rahija and Masori tribesmen had been completed.

The BLA was banned on April 7, while arms licences to Baloch leaders including Nawab Akbar Bugti, Senator Sanaullah Baloch and Akhtar Mengal had been cancelled.

Sherpao told the cabinet that the insurgency in Balochistan and Talibanisation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) could hamper economic activity in the country, sources said.

In contrast with President Musharraf's puzzling comments on Monday, Minister Sherpao acknowledged that the insurgency could have an impact on economic activity. With attacks on gas pipelines, and power and water facilities, Pakistan is indeed concerned.

In the long term, there are hopes that pipelines could run from Iran and Central Asia through Afghanistan and possibly Balochistan to Pakistan, and perhaps China and India. These projects would be less likely if the pipes were vulnerable to guerrilla attacks.

Rather than with violence, it would be far better for both sides if the issues could be resolved through talks such as these:

A joint committee of the provincial assembly has initiated dialogue between the government and Nawab Akbar Bugti to resolve the Balochistan issue. Balochistan Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Shair Jan said the committee, led by Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf, had faith in dialogue to reach a consensus on the Balochistan issue. He claimed the committee had made progress to develop contacts with Bugti. The minister criticised some parliamentarians and civilians for trying to sabotage the ongoing dialogue process. He said the committee would continue efforts to bring the two parties on the dialogue table so that the Balochistan issue is resolved peacefully. He rebuffed the demand regarding invitation to any other country to the dialogue between the government and Bugti. Earlier, a parliamentary committee had been formed to look into the problems in Balochistan. In its interim report, the committee had recommended the withdrawal of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) and the Coast Guard from interior Balochistan, clearance of gas royalty arrears, abolition of the Concurrent List, a review of the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, provincial autonomy and the development of gas-rich areas.

The recommendations listed above would go a long ways in bringing peace to that province. In turn, as have the Kurds, the Balochs may find it best to enjoy some measure of autonomy, rather than complete independence, in return for ceasing the insurgency.

For its part, Pakistan would have to provide Balochistan with a greater share of the revenues generated by the natural resources there, and would have to cease the human rights violations.

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