The reasons Westeners not interested in
Balochistan issue...
03.12.2009 By Zrombesht
Now that the discussion is gaining strength, let us analyse on some short answers of the questions that are going around the minds of people living in
the West about the Baloch freedom struggle; What is it that could attract the western eyes to the Baloch freedom struggle? Why is it important for
Balochs having their own free land? Why would the West and the civilized world bother their selves for helping the poor Baloch out? How would an
independant Balochistan be helpful in maintaining peace in the region? Why is independant Balochistan so important in this region? Do the Baloch
have the ability to run their independent new born country? and last but not least, How would an independent Balochistan look like?
All these questions arise in the mind of any Westener who tries to look at Baloch issue for a moment. We think all these questions are definite and just.
Going through the Baloch issue via its real advocates, we find that the answers of these questions are very simple and clear in Baloch minds but their
enemy has created circumstances which make these answers complicated and almost invisible in the eye of west.
The secularism of Baloch movement cannot be overruled. Baloch movement is entirely a secular movement and an ordinary Baloch involved in this
movement respects the beliefs of all the people around the world. This thing separates them from other extremist backward minded people fighting on
non-sense demands like imposing Sharia (Islamic Law) and all. Baloch has a clear vision today for its independent homeland. Its demand are nothing
extra-ordinary, just to have a sense of security of its national identity and its thousands of years of culture with its free land. Baloch being the only secular
nation in the region is ready as a stable forward thinking nation which can help the civilized world in bringing up any kind of geographical change in the
region making it easier to fight terrorism and fight drugs which are the 2 main problems the entire world is fighting against.
Now, the facts that could attract the West in Balochistan are Baloch fighting against the enemies of the West. The West and the civilized world are
worried about Pakistan's nuclear assets getting in bad hands, whereas Baloch is fighting against Pakistan who tested these nuclear weapons in
Balochistan leaving hundreds of thousands of people suffering health issues and till today no foreign help is let to reach these nuclear test effected
victims. The only solution to avoid these nuclear weapons getting into the religious fundamentalists extremists hand is to disintegrate Pakistan and
instead keep a new born alley who could assure stability and peace in the region in the absence of US and NATO forces. Baloch is the only and the best
option for the West.
On the other hand, Baloch is fighting Iran for its independent Balochistan, (when we say Balochistan, we mean both Pakistani and Iranian occupied
Balochistan). Iran with its nuclear program is a great threat to the particular region and to the West. Iran and Pakistan giving birth to religious
fundamentalists are the worse future problems the West is concerned of. We dont think we have to tell the westeners more about the threats they face
by Iran because we think their media is doing no less in revealing the evil mask of Iran.
Keeping in mind the good relations of Baloch and Afghan, a stabilized Afghanistan is always in the favor of an independent Balochistan because Baloch
can offer it use of Baloch coast helping Afghanistan widely in its trade. Independent Balochistan can be used as a platform to fight drugs.
An ordinary view about Baloch national struggle is set by the enemies that after freedom of Balochistan, the tribal heads would not give a dime of
Balochistan resources to the poor Baloch. If we analyse the views and statements of all these tribal heads in this movement, we will find that if they were
fighting for their selves they would've fought for Sui and Kohestan e Marri, but they are demanding an independent Balochistan where all Baloch will
have equal rights. They say Pakistan is spreading such rumors to divide Baloch in the name of tribe and so that they quietly loot Baloch's resources.
Now let us make a short analysis What would an Independant Balochistan look like and How will the Baloch run it?
Now no one else could answer this question in a better way than the only people struggling for their freedom, They have a vision they are dieing for.
Everything here is ready to be implement. Balochistan will be a democratic country where religion and politics will be different issues. Balochistan will
open its gate for the entire world welcoming them to invest in it and will promote the trend of competition in trade. Baloch will give-and-take with the world
in terms of equality.
Baloch will respect its friendship with its fellow allies and would never accept any nations slavery. Baloch believes trustworthy friendship is the basic of
good work. Any step by Baloch would not be hidden in front of the world. The tricks being played by Pakistan and its friends now, will be buried in sand by
the Baloch. Everyone is equal in front of judiciary and the law in the independent Balochistan will be for all. In independent Balochistan, Parliament will
have the right to decide every national issue.
Therefore, We think independent Balochistan is very important in any change in this region. Balochistan's independence will help the West find solution
to the war it is observing but is afraid to confess it may lose. Baloch are the Ace card of the West in this region. But yet Baloch is a victim of almost no
western media coverage.
Drone attacks in Balochistan can’t be opposed:
Magsi
07.12.2009 * Balochistan governor says Washington can do ‘whatever it pleases’ because ‘it’s paying’ Pakistan
By Malik Siraj Akbar
QUETTA: Pakistan cannot oppose US drone strikes in Balochistan as Washington can do “whatever it pleases” because it is “paying money” to the
country, Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Magsi said on Saturday.
Talking to reporters after chairing a seminar at a local hotel, Magsi said Pakistan did not have an option in the matter. “You cannot oppose someone
who pays you money. The US is paying money to Pakistan. How can we oppose it? It will do whatever it pleases,” the governor said.
Magsi said lawlessness was no longer a Balochistan-specific issue, as the whole country was facing a deteriorating law and order situation.
The Balochistan governor said the reforms package offered by the Centre to Balochistan was being regarded as “charity” across the province and was
unlikely to address the actual grievances of the people of Balochistan.
He said the situation in the province could only be resolved through the grant of maximum provincial autonomy and the province’s control over its own
natural resources. “Balochistan has never asked the federal government to provide it with a package. A package is viewed by the people of the province
as charity given to them, which is not a solution to their problems. Balochistan’s problem is related to provincial autonomy and control over natural
resources,” the governor said.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk
Parliament to start debate on Balochistan
package today NAVEED BUTT
ISLAMABAD (December 07 2009): A comprehensive debate will be started on 'Aghaz-e-Haqooq-Balochistan' package in the joint sitting of the
Parliament on Monday. The 'Aghaz-e-Haqooq-Balochistan' package was presented by the present government in the last joint session of the Parliament
on November 24.
It was presented by PPP Senator Raza Rabbani, who headed the seven-member parliamentary committee. The package was finalised after
consultation with political leaderships of other major parties in the Parliament and other stakeholders.
There would be two sittings daily--morning and evening--of the joint session and all parliamentary parties, including nationalist parties of Balochistan,
would participate in the debate and present their comments on the package.
The parliamentarians of Balochistan have already expressed their reservations on the package when it was placed in joint session of the parliament on
two counts. First, the failure of the government to take them on board with respect to the package; and second, failure to act on their longstanding
demands, notably cessation of military operation and release of missing persons, as a confidence building measure prior to the announcement of yet
another set of so-called promises.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan said while talking to Business Recorder that the duration of the session would depend entirely on the
parliamentarians. He said that the house would remain in session as long as the members would want. He said that the House would take up only one-
point agenda of Balochistan Package.
The package relates solely to administrative and economic affairs while the issues of provincial autonomy and various amendments in the Constitution
are being addressed in a Special Committee of the Parliament on Constitutional Reforms which represents all shades of political opinion in the
Parliament.
The provisions of the constitution on provincial autonomy including deletion of the Concurrent List from Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, police order,
2002 and the Balochistan Local Government Ordinance 2001 from the sixth schedule of the Constitution and others are being addressed in the
Committee. In the package, the federal government pledged to immediately release all political workers, except those charged under heinous crimes.
Similarly, it was pledged that a commission would be constituted in respect of missing persons. The names of missing persons would be identified
and those persons against whom there are no charges will be released and those who are charged with a crime will be brought before a court of
competent jurisdiction within seven days for trial.
When contacted, Senator Hasil Khan Bizenjo said that the Federal Government had given assurance to Balochistan nationalist parties that it would
begin implementing the package a day after it was announced but so far the package has not been implemented.
"The government claims that it has released 25 missing persons, but according to my information there are 12 people who were recovered," he said.
He said that Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that there were 1000 missing persons of Balochistan but according to the report of Human Right
Commission the figure is 2000.
"There is no need for any debate on Balochistan package, but it is critical to implement it. The package is already prepared with the consultation of
Balochistan Parliamentarians and other stakeholders," he said.
He claimed that the government does not have the capacity to implement the package. It took this government two years just to prepare the package and
it is not able to implement it, he claimed.
Senator Engineer Muhammad Hamayun Mandokhel said that the PPP government should implement the package as early as possible. He said that the
government could restore confidence by taking practical measures for implementing the package. This would be the first step towards giving rights to
the people of Balochistan.
http://www.brecorder.com/
Sunday, December 06, 2009
PML-N forwards recommendations on
Balochistan to PM
* Party to cooperate with government if its proposals are included in recommended package
By Rana Kashif
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has finalised and forwarded to the prime minister a number of proposals on the Balochistan
package for presentation in the National Assembly (NA) when parliament takes up the draft for a formal debate.
Party sources told Daily Times on Saturday that the PML-N would be pressing hard for the implementation of its proposals. The party has also decided
to cooperate with the government in case its proposals are included in the recommended package, sources said, adding that the party was unlikely to
support the package until all stakeholders were taken on board.
Besides this, the PML-N also wants the government to initiate dialogue with Baloch nationalist parties at the federal and provincial levels. The PML-N
has finalised the following recommendations for inclusion in the Balochistan package.
1. Registration of an FIR against former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf for the murder of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.
2. The immediate constitution of a judicial commission comprising of judges of the Balochistan High Court to investigate the recent killing of
Baloch leaders Ghulam Muhammad Baloch, Sher Muhammad Baloch and Lala Munir Baloch. The commission should also investigate the murder
of Balach Marri.
3. An independent commission consisting of high court judges should compile a list of missing persons or alternatively, and subject to law, the
PML-N may itself become party in the Supreme Court case regarding the missing persons.
4. All detained people be allowed immediate, open and fair trials. If found innocent, they must be released and cases quashed.
5. Rehabilitation of displaced families should be carried out on an emergency basis. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) have moved out of Bugti
and Marri areas to Jafferabad, Naseerabad and other districts of Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab.
6. An immediate end to the army operation in Balochistan.
7. Political involvement of intelligence agencies should be restricted only to counter foreign interference and assistance, both monetary and
physical, of anti-Pakistan forces.
8. Creation of employment on a large scale both in the government and private sectors. The provincial government should be asked to allocate
jobs for the Baloch people. The federal government should also immediately restore the agreed share of Balochistan in the Centre.
9. There are serious and complex issues raised by the people of Balochistan [that need addressing]. These issues concern both the federal and
provincial governments, and include issues like provincial autonomy, distribution of national resources on the basis of land, ownership of the
Gwadar Port, usage of water resources, communications and gas royalty and distribution.
Courtesy: www.dailytimes.com.pk
http://www.pakistanlink.com
Joint session on Balochistan package on 7th
Thursday, 03 Dec, 2009
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a joint session of parliament on Dec 7 to discuss the Balochistan package unveiled by the
government before Eid.
Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Izhar Amrohvi told Dawn that the joint session would be for two days after which National Assembly and Senate might
hold separate sessions from Dec 9. He said the government had decided to extend the sitting till evenings to give more time to legislators to speak on
the package.
Details of the package aimed at redressing grievances of the people of Balochistan were presented before parliament on Nov 24 by Senator Raza
Rabbani who heads parliamentary committees on Balochistan and constitutional reforms.
The government has announced various administrative, economic and constitutional measures for the province. However, a majority of Baloch leaders
have rejected the package and asked the government to take practical steps, instead of making pledges.
A well-placed source told Dawn that the government was considering a proposal to allow only parliamentary leaders of all parties to speak on the
package because it would not be possible to allow every member to take part in the debate.
However, it will be difficult for the government to stop legislators from Balochistan from speaking on the issue.
Speaker Fehmida Mirza, the source added, might convene a meeting of the House Business Advisory Committee to work out a plan in consultation with
all parties.
He said the government did not want to extend the session for more than two days because it would affect the normal business of parliament.
Gilani wants proposals for Balochistan package
finalised
By Ahmad Hassan
Sunday, 06 Dec, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The implementation committee on Aghaz-i-Huqooq-i-Balochistan asked ministries and divisions concerned on Saturday to finalise by Dec
15 their proposals for implementation of administrative, financial and political reforms identified by a sub-committee of the parliamentary-cum-cabinet
on Balochistan.
The sub-committee in its report, presented in a joint sitting of parliament on Nov 24, suggested drastic changes in the administrative set-up. It proposes
additional funding to fill the development gap occurred over the years because of negligent policies of the federal government.
According to an official handout, the committee reviewed progress on the implementation process.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who presided over the committee’s meeting, directed the ministries, divisions and departments concerned to
expedite their work to finalise the proposals by Dec 15.
The premier said he would personally monitor all aspects of the implementation process.
The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan Senator Raza Rabbani, Petroleum Minister Syed Naveed
Qamar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan, Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Interior
Minister Rehman Malik and the chief secretary of Balochistan.
The prime minister said that an early implementation of the Balochistan package was a foremost priority of the government and all-out efforts would be
made to ensure that its benefits reached the people of the province.
http://www.dawn.com/
Balochistan issue...
03.12.2009 By Zrombesht
Now that the discussion is gaining strength, let us analyse on some short answers of the questions that are going around the minds of people living in
the West about the Baloch freedom struggle; What is it that could attract the western eyes to the Baloch freedom struggle? Why is it important for
Balochs having their own free land? Why would the West and the civilized world bother their selves for helping the poor Baloch out? How would an
independant Balochistan be helpful in maintaining peace in the region? Why is independant Balochistan so important in this region? Do the Baloch
have the ability to run their independent new born country? and last but not least, How would an independent Balochistan look like?
All these questions arise in the mind of any Westener who tries to look at Baloch issue for a moment. We think all these questions are definite and just.
Going through the Baloch issue via its real advocates, we find that the answers of these questions are very simple and clear in Baloch minds but their
enemy has created circumstances which make these answers complicated and almost invisible in the eye of west.
The secularism of Baloch movement cannot be overruled. Baloch movement is entirely a secular movement and an ordinary Baloch involved in this
movement respects the beliefs of all the people around the world. This thing separates them from other extremist backward minded people fighting on
non-sense demands like imposing Sharia (Islamic Law) and all. Baloch has a clear vision today for its independent homeland. Its demand are nothing
extra-ordinary, just to have a sense of security of its national identity and its thousands of years of culture with its free land. Baloch being the only secular
nation in the region is ready as a stable forward thinking nation which can help the civilized world in bringing up any kind of geographical change in the
region making it easier to fight terrorism and fight drugs which are the 2 main problems the entire world is fighting against.
Now, the facts that could attract the West in Balochistan are Baloch fighting against the enemies of the West. The West and the civilized world are
worried about Pakistan's nuclear assets getting in bad hands, whereas Baloch is fighting against Pakistan who tested these nuclear weapons in
Balochistan leaving hundreds of thousands of people suffering health issues and till today no foreign help is let to reach these nuclear test effected
victims. The only solution to avoid these nuclear weapons getting into the religious fundamentalists extremists hand is to disintegrate Pakistan and
instead keep a new born alley who could assure stability and peace in the region in the absence of US and NATO forces. Baloch is the only and the best
option for the West.
On the other hand, Baloch is fighting Iran for its independent Balochistan, (when we say Balochistan, we mean both Pakistani and Iranian occupied
Balochistan). Iran with its nuclear program is a great threat to the particular region and to the West. Iran and Pakistan giving birth to religious
fundamentalists are the worse future problems the West is concerned of. We dont think we have to tell the westeners more about the threats they face
by Iran because we think their media is doing no less in revealing the evil mask of Iran.
Keeping in mind the good relations of Baloch and Afghan, a stabilized Afghanistan is always in the favor of an independent Balochistan because Baloch
can offer it use of Baloch coast helping Afghanistan widely in its trade. Independent Balochistan can be used as a platform to fight drugs.
An ordinary view about Baloch national struggle is set by the enemies that after freedom of Balochistan, the tribal heads would not give a dime of
Balochistan resources to the poor Baloch. If we analyse the views and statements of all these tribal heads in this movement, we will find that if they were
fighting for their selves they would've fought for Sui and Kohestan e Marri, but they are demanding an independent Balochistan where all Baloch will
have equal rights. They say Pakistan is spreading such rumors to divide Baloch in the name of tribe and so that they quietly loot Baloch's resources.
Now let us make a short analysis What would an Independant Balochistan look like and How will the Baloch run it?
Now no one else could answer this question in a better way than the only people struggling for their freedom, They have a vision they are dieing for.
Everything here is ready to be implement. Balochistan will be a democratic country where religion and politics will be different issues. Balochistan will
open its gate for the entire world welcoming them to invest in it and will promote the trend of competition in trade. Baloch will give-and-take with the world
in terms of equality.
Baloch will respect its friendship with its fellow allies and would never accept any nations slavery. Baloch believes trustworthy friendship is the basic of
good work. Any step by Baloch would not be hidden in front of the world. The tricks being played by Pakistan and its friends now, will be buried in sand by
the Baloch. Everyone is equal in front of judiciary and the law in the independent Balochistan will be for all. In independent Balochistan, Parliament will
have the right to decide every national issue.
Therefore, We think independent Balochistan is very important in any change in this region. Balochistan's independence will help the West find solution
to the war it is observing but is afraid to confess it may lose. Baloch are the Ace card of the West in this region. But yet Baloch is a victim of almost no
western media coverage.
Drone attacks in Balochistan can’t be opposed:
Magsi
07.12.2009 * Balochistan governor says Washington can do ‘whatever it pleases’ because ‘it’s paying’ Pakistan
By Malik Siraj Akbar
QUETTA: Pakistan cannot oppose US drone strikes in Balochistan as Washington can do “whatever it pleases” because it is “paying money” to the
country, Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Magsi said on Saturday.
Talking to reporters after chairing a seminar at a local hotel, Magsi said Pakistan did not have an option in the matter. “You cannot oppose someone
who pays you money. The US is paying money to Pakistan. How can we oppose it? It will do whatever it pleases,” the governor said.
Magsi said lawlessness was no longer a Balochistan-specific issue, as the whole country was facing a deteriorating law and order situation.
The Balochistan governor said the reforms package offered by the Centre to Balochistan was being regarded as “charity” across the province and was
unlikely to address the actual grievances of the people of Balochistan.
He said the situation in the province could only be resolved through the grant of maximum provincial autonomy and the province’s control over its own
natural resources. “Balochistan has never asked the federal government to provide it with a package. A package is viewed by the people of the province
as charity given to them, which is not a solution to their problems. Balochistan’s problem is related to provincial autonomy and control over natural
resources,” the governor said.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk
Parliament to start debate on Balochistan
package today NAVEED BUTT
ISLAMABAD (December 07 2009): A comprehensive debate will be started on 'Aghaz-e-Haqooq-Balochistan' package in the joint sitting of the
Parliament on Monday. The 'Aghaz-e-Haqooq-Balochistan' package was presented by the present government in the last joint session of the Parliament
on November 24.
It was presented by PPP Senator Raza Rabbani, who headed the seven-member parliamentary committee. The package was finalised after
consultation with political leaderships of other major parties in the Parliament and other stakeholders.
There would be two sittings daily--morning and evening--of the joint session and all parliamentary parties, including nationalist parties of Balochistan,
would participate in the debate and present their comments on the package.
The parliamentarians of Balochistan have already expressed their reservations on the package when it was placed in joint session of the parliament on
two counts. First, the failure of the government to take them on board with respect to the package; and second, failure to act on their longstanding
demands, notably cessation of military operation and release of missing persons, as a confidence building measure prior to the announcement of yet
another set of so-called promises.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan said while talking to Business Recorder that the duration of the session would depend entirely on the
parliamentarians. He said that the house would remain in session as long as the members would want. He said that the House would take up only one-
point agenda of Balochistan Package.
The package relates solely to administrative and economic affairs while the issues of provincial autonomy and various amendments in the Constitution
are being addressed in a Special Committee of the Parliament on Constitutional Reforms which represents all shades of political opinion in the
Parliament.
The provisions of the constitution on provincial autonomy including deletion of the Concurrent List from Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, police order,
2002 and the Balochistan Local Government Ordinance 2001 from the sixth schedule of the Constitution and others are being addressed in the
Committee. In the package, the federal government pledged to immediately release all political workers, except those charged under heinous crimes.
Similarly, it was pledged that a commission would be constituted in respect of missing persons. The names of missing persons would be identified
and those persons against whom there are no charges will be released and those who are charged with a crime will be brought before a court of
competent jurisdiction within seven days for trial.
When contacted, Senator Hasil Khan Bizenjo said that the Federal Government had given assurance to Balochistan nationalist parties that it would
begin implementing the package a day after it was announced but so far the package has not been implemented.
"The government claims that it has released 25 missing persons, but according to my information there are 12 people who were recovered," he said.
He said that Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that there were 1000 missing persons of Balochistan but according to the report of Human Right
Commission the figure is 2000.
"There is no need for any debate on Balochistan package, but it is critical to implement it. The package is already prepared with the consultation of
Balochistan Parliamentarians and other stakeholders," he said.
He claimed that the government does not have the capacity to implement the package. It took this government two years just to prepare the package and
it is not able to implement it, he claimed.
Senator Engineer Muhammad Hamayun Mandokhel said that the PPP government should implement the package as early as possible. He said that the
government could restore confidence by taking practical measures for implementing the package. This would be the first step towards giving rights to
the people of Balochistan.
http://www.brecorder.com/
Sunday, December 06, 2009
PML-N forwards recommendations on
Balochistan to PM
* Party to cooperate with government if its proposals are included in recommended package
By Rana Kashif
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has finalised and forwarded to the prime minister a number of proposals on the Balochistan
package for presentation in the National Assembly (NA) when parliament takes up the draft for a formal debate.
Party sources told Daily Times on Saturday that the PML-N would be pressing hard for the implementation of its proposals. The party has also decided
to cooperate with the government in case its proposals are included in the recommended package, sources said, adding that the party was unlikely to
support the package until all stakeholders were taken on board.
Besides this, the PML-N also wants the government to initiate dialogue with Baloch nationalist parties at the federal and provincial levels. The PML-N
has finalised the following recommendations for inclusion in the Balochistan package.
1. Registration of an FIR against former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf for the murder of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.
2. The immediate constitution of a judicial commission comprising of judges of the Balochistan High Court to investigate the recent killing of
Baloch leaders Ghulam Muhammad Baloch, Sher Muhammad Baloch and Lala Munir Baloch. The commission should also investigate the murder
of Balach Marri.
3. An independent commission consisting of high court judges should compile a list of missing persons or alternatively, and subject to law, the
PML-N may itself become party in the Supreme Court case regarding the missing persons.
4. All detained people be allowed immediate, open and fair trials. If found innocent, they must be released and cases quashed.
5. Rehabilitation of displaced families should be carried out on an emergency basis. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) have moved out of Bugti
and Marri areas to Jafferabad, Naseerabad and other districts of Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab.
6. An immediate end to the army operation in Balochistan.
7. Political involvement of intelligence agencies should be restricted only to counter foreign interference and assistance, both monetary and
physical, of anti-Pakistan forces.
8. Creation of employment on a large scale both in the government and private sectors. The provincial government should be asked to allocate
jobs for the Baloch people. The federal government should also immediately restore the agreed share of Balochistan in the Centre.
9. There are serious and complex issues raised by the people of Balochistan [that need addressing]. These issues concern both the federal and
provincial governments, and include issues like provincial autonomy, distribution of national resources on the basis of land, ownership of the
Gwadar Port, usage of water resources, communications and gas royalty and distribution.
Courtesy: www.dailytimes.com.pk
http://www.pakistanlink.com
Joint session on Balochistan package on 7th
Thursday, 03 Dec, 2009
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a joint session of parliament on Dec 7 to discuss the Balochistan package unveiled by the
government before Eid.
Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Izhar Amrohvi told Dawn that the joint session would be for two days after which National Assembly and Senate might
hold separate sessions from Dec 9. He said the government had decided to extend the sitting till evenings to give more time to legislators to speak on
the package.
Details of the package aimed at redressing grievances of the people of Balochistan were presented before parliament on Nov 24 by Senator Raza
Rabbani who heads parliamentary committees on Balochistan and constitutional reforms.
The government has announced various administrative, economic and constitutional measures for the province. However, a majority of Baloch leaders
have rejected the package and asked the government to take practical steps, instead of making pledges.
A well-placed source told Dawn that the government was considering a proposal to allow only parliamentary leaders of all parties to speak on the
package because it would not be possible to allow every member to take part in the debate.
However, it will be difficult for the government to stop legislators from Balochistan from speaking on the issue.
Speaker Fehmida Mirza, the source added, might convene a meeting of the House Business Advisory Committee to work out a plan in consultation with
all parties.
He said the government did not want to extend the session for more than two days because it would affect the normal business of parliament.
Gilani wants proposals for Balochistan package
finalised
By Ahmad Hassan
Sunday, 06 Dec, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The implementation committee on Aghaz-i-Huqooq-i-Balochistan asked ministries and divisions concerned on Saturday to finalise by Dec
15 their proposals for implementation of administrative, financial and political reforms identified by a sub-committee of the parliamentary-cum-cabinet
on Balochistan.
The sub-committee in its report, presented in a joint sitting of parliament on Nov 24, suggested drastic changes in the administrative set-up. It proposes
additional funding to fill the development gap occurred over the years because of negligent policies of the federal government.
According to an official handout, the committee reviewed progress on the implementation process.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who presided over the committee’s meeting, directed the ministries, divisions and departments concerned to
expedite their work to finalise the proposals by Dec 15.
The premier said he would personally monitor all aspects of the implementation process.
The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan Senator Raza Rabbani, Petroleum Minister Syed Naveed
Qamar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan, Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Interior
Minister Rehman Malik and the chief secretary of Balochistan.
The prime minister said that an early implementation of the Balochistan package was a foremost priority of the government and all-out efforts would be
made to ensure that its benefits reached the people of the province.
http://www.dawn.com/
