No end to violence in Balochistan

No end to violence in Balochistan

Updated on : 02-11-2015 08:53 AM

Baloch activist Musti Khan heckling Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Washington. Khan was silenced in no time as he raised slogans demanding freedom of Balochistan, but the long-standing problem continues to fall into deaf ears.

Despite being rich in natural resources, Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populous province, has not tasted fruits of development. It is home to about 13 million people, but has a nominal share in infrastructure development.  The province has been witnessing bloodshed since Pakistan's birth.  The Baloch fought two major freedom campaigns against the state from 1973-77 and the second one since 2005, both were crushed by army with an iron hand.  The ongoing movement was escalated after the death of veteran Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in August 2006. Bugti's supporters blame Pakistan for his killing. Reports of constant violation of human rights also attracted global attention. Army is accused of indiscriminately eliminating Baloch nationalists and activists. The alleged 'kill and dump' campaign sped up post 2009 after civilian government took office. Army was accused to set up death squad to kill those 'posing threats'. Recovery of dumped bodies qualified the claim.  Balochistan is divided among three countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. But the reports of atrocities surface from Pakistani part. Thousands of deaths and many more missing form basis of discredit to army.  The Military handling of the problem may have started giving results from an army standpoint, but the human cost is irrecoverable. Baloch armed groups now remain weak and fragmented, the security situation is said to be improving, but as many accuse, it all came after Pakistan's own people were brutally killed by their own military.  Despite a need felt by everyone in Pakistan for a political process, a concrete outcome is missing.  Balochistan, the battleground for the longest civil war in Pakistan's history is waiting for a breakthrough A breakthrough that brings hope for Baloch people, hope for a life minus conflict, war and violence. (MK) http://www.ddinews.gov.in/Home%20-%20Other%20Stories/Pages/baloch.aspx