Balochistan issues are again very much in news,
as from the time of independence Balochistan is having periodic uprisings, but
the government is still unable to resolve the issues in Balochistan.
Mismanagement by the ruling regimes and chronic grievances has allowed Baloch
leaders to seek support for their nationalist cause, which allowed foreign
sponsors to exploit the situation.
It's not the first time that Islamabad is facing the challenge to convert the
strategic assets in Balochistan into economic opportunities by starting
different mega and developmental projects, but still they couldn't learn how to
deal with it.
We should take notice that lack of confidence by the Balochs in Islamabad
policies is creating hurdles in resolving Balochistan's recurrent troubles and
the government's effort to control the situation through a strategy of restraint
and development could not meet the Baloch demands.
Balochis were already having objection to Gwadar Port that they are not the
stakeholders in its development. In reality, they have been expelled from it.
The rich non-Baloch elite has purchased the land where the city is to be
constructed and large service industry groups are competing to purchase large
territory for hotels and restaurants etc at cheap prices and again we repeated
the mistake in the case of gold and copper mines contract by giving it to
foreign companies at a throwaway price in Reko Diq, Balochistan.
Lately, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry issued notices upon a
constitutional petition, filed by Tariq Asad, advocate, against awarding
contracts of gold and copper mines at Reko Diq in Balochistan to foreign
companies at throwaway prices. It further asks why the mining process could not
have ever been carried out by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources
and Mining Department.
To resolve such non-traditional issues and to convert the Balochistan resources
into economic development, the government must exhibit the political will before
starting any development project, and development plans should also include and
benefit the local people. If the basic demands of the people will be fulfilled,
why will they go to courts for their rights?