Wednesday, December 09, 2009
By Malik Muhammad Ashraf
The economic, political and social justice are the essential ingredients of peace, tranquility and national unity, more so for a multicultural entity like Pakistan. But unfortunately the successive regimes in Pakistan remained criminally oblivious to this reality. The permeating thinking was that a strong Centre was a guarantee to the prosperity and national unity.
The provinces were never treated as equal partners in the Federation. They were not given their rights and the provincial autonomy guaranteed in the Constitution. The result was that the regional disparities became more and more pronounced. Balochistan, which is the biggest territorial unit and strategically the most important region of the country, suffered the most.
The trail of broken promises and injustices perpetrated on the people of Balochistan aggravated the sense of deprivation. The insurgency in Balochistan undoubtedly is the consequence of the frustration to which the people of Balochistan have been driven.
It is however encouraging to note that the PPP-led government in the Centre has taken a bold and imaginative initiative in reversing this trend.Prime Minister Gilani in his address to the joint sitting of parliament, preceding the announcement of the Balochistan package by Raza Rabbani, recognized the fact that the Federation will be strong only if the federating units are strengthened.
That represents a correct diagnosis of the problem and a paradigm shift which was badly needed to atone for the past mistakes and to draw up a realistic road map for removing regional disparities, strengthening the foundations of national unity and promoting national integration.
Since the disease has been correctly diagnosed, one can genuinely hope that it would ultimately cure the ailment. The other redeeming feature of this new approach is the spirit of reconciliation exhibited by the prime minister by inviting the estranged leaders of Balochistan for a dialogue. Yet another significant element in drawing up the package has been the consultations with all the stakeholders.
The rejection of the Balochistan package by the nationalist leaders of Balochistan is quite understandable. It is a reaction characterized by frustration and anger nourished by a blazing trail of betrayals and injustices. The decades old mistrust cannot be wiped out within days. But the fact remains that the coalition government in the Centre led by PPP has earned the distinction of being the first government to have recognized the Balochistan problem in its true perspective and shown the sincerity and commitment to resolve it, for which it deserves unqualified applause.
The government indeed has laid a solid foundation for the process of reconciliation in Balochistan. The government must employ all possible means to ensure return of exiled leaders to the country and a dignified role in shaping the future of the province. The writer is teaching Mass Communication at Ripha International University, Islamabad. Email: ashpak10@gmail.com
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=212439
By Malik Muhammad Ashraf
The economic, political and social justice are the essential ingredients of peace, tranquility and national unity, more so for a multicultural entity like Pakistan. But unfortunately the successive regimes in Pakistan remained criminally oblivious to this reality. The permeating thinking was that a strong Centre was a guarantee to the prosperity and national unity.
The provinces were never treated as equal partners in the Federation. They were not given their rights and the provincial autonomy guaranteed in the Constitution. The result was that the regional disparities became more and more pronounced. Balochistan, which is the biggest territorial unit and strategically the most important region of the country, suffered the most.
The trail of broken promises and injustices perpetrated on the people of Balochistan aggravated the sense of deprivation. The insurgency in Balochistan undoubtedly is the consequence of the frustration to which the people of Balochistan have been driven.
It is however encouraging to note that the PPP-led government in the Centre has taken a bold and imaginative initiative in reversing this trend.Prime Minister Gilani in his address to the joint sitting of parliament, preceding the announcement of the Balochistan package by Raza Rabbani, recognized the fact that the Federation will be strong only if the federating units are strengthened.
That represents a correct diagnosis of the problem and a paradigm shift which was badly needed to atone for the past mistakes and to draw up a realistic road map for removing regional disparities, strengthening the foundations of national unity and promoting national integration.
Since the disease has been correctly diagnosed, one can genuinely hope that it would ultimately cure the ailment. The other redeeming feature of this new approach is the spirit of reconciliation exhibited by the prime minister by inviting the estranged leaders of Balochistan for a dialogue. Yet another significant element in drawing up the package has been the consultations with all the stakeholders.
The rejection of the Balochistan package by the nationalist leaders of Balochistan is quite understandable. It is a reaction characterized by frustration and anger nourished by a blazing trail of betrayals and injustices. The decades old mistrust cannot be wiped out within days. But the fact remains that the coalition government in the Centre led by PPP has earned the distinction of being the first government to have recognized the Balochistan problem in its true perspective and shown the sincerity and commitment to resolve it, for which it deserves unqualified applause.
The government indeed has laid a solid foundation for the process of reconciliation in Balochistan. The government must employ all possible means to ensure return of exiled leaders to the country and a dignified role in shaping the future of the province. The writer is teaching Mass Communication at Ripha International University, Islamabad. Email: ashpak10@gmail.com
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=212439
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