PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharifs counsel that there should be a political solution of the disturbed conditions in Balochistan is a sane counsel, though it has not been put forward for the first time. While military dictators, who have had a fair share of governance in the country, would, by the nature of their training, be prone to taking to force, it is incomprehensible why the political leadership should be fighting shy of pursuing the political path. The provinces plight, as reflected by a pervasive sense of deprivation, lawlessness and poverty, has been talked about endlessly. And Mian Nawaz is right because to change the scenario for the better only political steps would pay off. The causes of the peoples feelings in Balochistan are not hidden. If they are marginalised in the exploitation of its rich resources, even though it could be argued that their use in the province is not economically feasible, or that it was not developed enough to absorb the benefits, the people would be justified in feeling deprived. They would also hold the grudge against the areas (and the citizens inhabiting them) that draw the benefit because the resources use there promises attractive returns. Obviously, force has no scope in correcting the perception; only practical steps would do the trick. Massive development programmes in actual fact, not on paper like Aghaz-i-Haqooq-i-Balochistan, would also ameliorate poverty. Similarly, with lawlessness that manifests itself in insecurity of life and the targeted killings of settlers from other provinces a fall-out of the sense of deprivation. The reported presence of Xe Services (formerly BlackWater) involved in killing the governments dissidents, who are the product of the above conditions, is not the solution. Their presence in the strategic area carries implications far more sinister than those that appear in the first flush, and such foreign agents should be booted out of the country wherever they are located. The Pakistan security forces should also not resort to killing what they usually term miscreants. Mian Nawaz, who was addressing a news conference at Quetta on Saturday, also commented on the ongoing clashes on RGST between the political parties, and particularly criticised the role of PML-Q. Somehow, the uncertainty continues to prevail about whether major parties, including PML-N, would cast a negative vote, walk-out of the NA at the time of voting, or be prevailed upon by the PPP to bail it out. Interestingly, the Prime Minister has claimed that all political forces would be siding with the government on the issue. These political parties should be in no doubt that with the media alive to daily developments and the people kept informed of the latest position, they would not be able to get away with a deceptive public approach without loss to their standing.