LAHORE - Dr Jahanzeb Jamaldini, a nationalist leader from the BNP (Akhtar Mengal Group) has said that the political forces in Balochistan are under threat and to enter into the arena of elections is becoming increasingly difficult for them.
He was addressing a two-day conference on Balochistan in Lahore, which was jointly organised by Pakistan Institute of National Affairs (PINA) and Punjab University.
PU Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran inaugurated the session.
“Balochistan should be given political and financial autonomy and all section of society should uphold the principle of merit and justice,” said Dr Jahanzeb.
Altaf Hasan Qureshee, PINA Secretary General, in his welcoming address, explained that the conference was meant to evolve a roadmap of peace and development in the disturbed province. SM Zafar, in his concluding remarks, said that it was a fruitful exercise as we directly perceive the real issues from the Baloch themselves.
Syed Fakhar Imam said the future of Pakistan was linked with strategically located Balochistan. Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, JUI (F), lamented that Balochistan was ignored by federal government as well as the provincial set-up. He said that general elections of 2008 were hijacked by the agencies resulting in the formation of fake government.
Lt Gen (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch, PML-N MNA, discussed the multidimensional conflict in Balochistan and demanded that for the purpose of strengthening federation, the Senate should be given more powers and rational representation.
Ayat Ullah Durrani, PPP MNA, was of the view that the real issue of Balochistan was massive corruption and the criminal mafia was eroding the writ of the state.
Syed Faseeh Iqbal was of the opinion that the hard stance taken by the militant youth can be softened through dialogue and solution can be found by respecting the senilities and traditions of the tribal society.
He said that there was no representation of Balochistan in higher ranks of civil and military bureaucracy. Tahir Bizenjo, the Secretary General of the National Party, said that we can solve the issue of Balochistan by empowering the people of Balochistan, and respecting the political forces.
Abdul Hakeem Baloch confirmed that from historical perspective Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan. Abdul Khaliq Hazara informed the audience that more than 800 Hazarian had been killed in ambush by the sectarian extremists.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kaker, PML(N), suggested that by following the model of Madina state, peace and tranquillity can be restored in Balochistan. Abdul Qayyum Kaker highlighted impact of corruption and unemployment.
Shahid Hamid said as the provincial autonomy had been devolved and adequate funds transferred, to Balochistan now it was their responsibility to develop their province as they desire.
Qayyum Nizami, Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi, Ehsan Wyne, Yasin Azad, Maj Gen (r) Muhammad Farooq, Brig (r) Farooq Hameed Khan, Ch Yaqoob, Brig (r) Nadir Mir also spoke on occasion.