Strong Provinces can ensure strong Pakistan

A National Dialogue on Balochistan Conflict

The contemporary crisis in Pakistan is believed to be an outcome of 59 years of unitary and centralized form of governance despite the fact that it was an appropriate case for a federal democracy at its independence. The contemporary crisis in Pakistan is believed to be an outcome of 59 years of unitary and centralized form of governance despite the fact that it was an appropriate case for a federal democracy at its independence. This was the bottom line of the ‘National Dialogue on Balochistan Conflict’ jointly organized by Peace and Governance portfolio of ActionAid Pakistan(AAPk) in collaboration with Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Sungi Development Foundation on Monday, December 11, 2006 at Holiday Inn, Islamabad.

Given the conflict which is only exacerbating in absence of political dialogue, the plight of the helpless people trapped in armed conflict has caught the attention of world media and the civil society.  This dialogue, therefore, attracted a large number of people from all walks of life. Renowned political leaders, journalists, lawyers and rights activists participated and discussed the longstanding issues of and demands for provincial autonomy and right to access and control of natural resources in Balochistan.

In the first session Mr. Zahoor Sherwani, Provincial head of HRCP Balochistan Chapter, Mr. Wali Kakar Central Committee Member Balochistan National Party and Mr. Ayub Tareen, BBC correspondent talked about the current state of human rights in Balochistan. Humanitarian aspects of the conflict were also highlighted in the session.   Panellists were of the view that this situation has given rise to worst human rights situation in Balochistan and hundreds of women and children have lost their lives and they have been physically assaulted. There have been hundreds of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

Talking about the distribution and control of the natural resources Mr. Syed Shahid Hussain, political analyst and ex-bureaucrat was of the opinion that the resource distribution among the provinces is not judicious rather its very unjust formula on the basis of which resources are distributed among the federating units. He said the Balochistan is given less than 5% share from the resources because the sole criterion of population is being used to distribute resources. The fact of extreme poverty in Balochistan is overlooked by policy makers.  Devolution of power plan has worked against the provincial government and has taken power away from the provincial government instead of ensuring power at the local level of governance. Council of Common Interest (CCI) is the regulatory authority and the only body which regulates the relations between the federal and the provincial governments. But it has been a toothless lion since many years.

Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali, Deputy Chairman Senate emphasized that the political dialogue is the only solution to the Balochistan Crises. We can not resolve the issues by using arms.

Speakers in the second session were of the opinion that the system remains dominated by a political/military coalition, usually termed ‘the establishment’, which has a centre-right ideology, and strongly resists political or social change. Because of its dominant position in the affairs of state, the military bureaucracy has a veto over any attempt to change the consensus view of Pakistan’s identity. The recurring military interventions have been responsible for the long-standing deficit of democracy and absence of an identity of the state compatible with its multi-cultural realities.

Mr. Baber Awan, Senator PPP said that no elected government has ever completed its term in office because of military establishment’s antipathy for political process and democracy in particular. It has been periodically intervening on the pretext that it wants to save the country from political anarchy. Political scientists believe that Pakistan is in the ambivalent position of having a military that can neither govern nor allow civilians to rule.  He also said that Pakistan Peoples Party is the only political party which introduced the 1973 constitution which fully recognize and enshrines the equal rights of the provinces.

Commenting on Baber Awan’s opinion, Mr. Rajhim Ziaratwala, Vice President, Pashtunkhwah Milli Awami Party came up with counter argument and said that constitution of Pakistan is faulty one and it doesn’t provide autonomy to the provinces. We need to amend it and bring those clauses into actions which ensure true provincial autonomy.

Mr. Raza Rabbani, Opposition Leader in the Senate, said that the way things are being handled in Balochistan so far is absolutely wrong and against the international Human rights standards. He urged the government to end military action in Balochistan immediately and should bring people to the table of dialogue. All the suggestion of the committee under Mushahid Hussain should be implemented in the letter and spirit only then we can ensure due rights to the people of Balochistan.

Speaking at the occasion Senator Mushahid Hussain said that our government is the only government in Pakistan’s history which has started the debate of provincial autonomy. We are sincere in our efforts to provide provincial autonomy to the provinces of Pakistan. We believe that strong provinces will ensure strong Pakistan. He further said that we are trying that the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan be taken into account and be implemented in its true spirit and for this we invite the opposition to join hands with us to ensure provincial autonomy.

The forth session was supposed to suggest the way forward the speakers of the session included Mr. AmanUllah Kurnani, Spokesperson, Jamhoori Watan Party, Mr. Raza Muhammad Raza, Senator, Pakhtoonkhwah Milli Awami Party, Mr. S.M.Zafar, Lawyer and Senator, Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Urged to immediately end military action in Balochistan, and they also recommended that the senate must be stronger and final decision making body therefore it should be given more powers, judicious distribution of resources be ensured, development should involve true participation by the people of Balochistan and provincial government should be responsible for development plans for Balochistan. Government should stop building garrisons in Balochistan. Concurrent list must be abolished from the constitution and the conflict should be resolved with political dialogue not with arms and use of power.