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Pakistan army brutalities continues against innocent Baloch people
Quetta: Nov 25, 2008. According to incoming reports from Balochistan’s Dera Bugti region Pakistani army and FC has started new brutal army
operation in Dasht Goran,pezbogi,neelagh and Dilbar mat area. it has started from20 November during this search operation army burned many Baloch
huts, killed and took away their kettle and burnt standing ripe wheat crops. More than 20 innocent Bugti Baloch was arrested and took them away for
interrogation and torture cell.
From 23rd November morning time 5 innocent Bugtis were killed very brutally among them two brothers who were killed when they went to mosques to
offered their fijar prayers they were dragged out and shot in cold blood of in Neelagh area. At the same area four other brothers were also killed they
were poor shepherded. Another old aged man Sohri Bugti was killed in front of their huts he was 67 age of old man. This operation is still going on in
Bugti. The brutalities of army have forced poor people once again have started migration from their native place into safe area.
People of the area and BRP representatives report More than 500 huts were set on fire. 70 farmers and shepherds were arrested and taken to army
garrison. The wheat and valuable of innocent and poor farmers were torched and looted in Rasal, Khanodor, ganja Matt, Meerag and Nelagh areas of
Dera Bugti. Thousands Baloch women and children are left without shelter in this cold weather in the area after their houses were torched by brutal
Pakistani army. He said while talking to the media.
The operation still continues in Dera Bugti and surrounding areas. More reports are awaited. Baloch Freedom fighters attacked another Pakistani Oil
and Gas exploration company in Kohlu area of Occupied Balochistan. According to sources Baloch freedom fighters attacked oil and Gas Company
camp with rockets and other automatic weapons in Kohlu, rockets landed in the camp and destroyed the camp, however no loss of life has been
reported in this attack.
Meanwhile BLA Sarmachars hurled a grenade in an ex army officer's house. In a result his son died. Spokesman of Baloch Liberation Army Mr. Bevrag
Baloch claimed responsibility of the attacks. While talking to media from an unspecified location. Bevrag Said. We warned the ex army officer to leave
Balochistan many times.
The fighting was continuing till late in the night. A source said the injured were being shifted to Sui.Meanwhile, a spokesman for Baloch Republican
Army Sarbaz Baloch also confirmed the clashes and claimed that security forces had killed innocent people who were working in fields. Calling from an
unknown place, he told newsmen that security forces had also used helicopter gunships.
Senator accuses US, India, Afghanistan of creating trouble in Balochistan.
Nine die in fresh Dera Bugti gunbattle
Nov 25, 2008
QUETTA: At least seven militants and two FC personnel were killed and four others suffered injuries in a gunbattle between security forces and militants
in Dera Bugti district on Saturday. According to reports, over two dozen people have been killed from both sides. However, official sources confirmed the
killing of only nine persons, including two security personnel of the Frontier Corps in the day-long battle. “Two FC men were killed and four injured in the
fighting,” a senior official told Dawn, adding that they had information about the killing of seven militants.The security forces said they destroyed two
militant camps and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition. Sources said the fighting started in Ganz Nallah area of the district early Saturday
morning when FC men, who were on a routine patrol, came under attack. Spokesman for the banned Baloch Republican Army Sarbaz Baloch claimed
responsibility for the and said that 17 FC man had been killed in the fighting.
FC troops with reinforcements have moved into Gandoai and Toba Nokhani area.“Heavy weapons are being used by both sides against each other,”
sources said, adding that the fighting was continuing till late in the night. An FC source also confirmed the ongoing clash. The clash between the
Baloch militants and security forces come after when the three baloch militant organiations, including the banned Baloch Liberation Army, Baloch
Republican Army and Baloch Liberation Front announced their joint unilateral ceasefire on 1st September this year.
* Talha says countries want disintegration of Pakistan to create ‘Greater Balochistan’
QUETTA: Senate Standing Committee on Interior Chairman Senator Talha Mehmood has accused the United States, India and Afghanistan of
conspiring to carve out a ‘Greater Balochistan’ by causing the disintegration of Pakistan.
Mehmood was addressing a news conference on Monday in the Officers’ Club along with several other members of the Senate.
He reacted angrily to a recent map published in an American newspaper, the New York Times, which showed Balochistan as a ‘free state’ and parts of
the NWFP joining Afghanistan. He said it was a part of the conspiracy the three countries had hatched against Pakistan. The countries want to create
trouble in Balochistan and extend support to the cause of a ‘Greater Balochistan’, he said, adding the Pakistani government and people, however,
would never allow such plans to materialise. He said Pakistanis should demonstrate unity in their ranks and foil all attempts to break up the country.
“We want the government to negotiate with the Baloch brothers who have gone in the mountains and waged a war against the state,” he said, adding
the government was sincerely trying to reach a political settlement to the Balochistan issue. The government has issued the reinstatement orders of
177 personnel of the Levies force in order to build the trust of the Baloch people, he said.
“We do not care what happened to the previous committees formed to settle the Balochistan issue. We believe in constant engagement of the federal
government with Balochistan. We will continue to deal with the Baloch issue until it is resolved. The government should agree first to grant autonomy to
the provinces so that their complaints are addressed,” he said.
Disappearances: Mehmood said the Balochistan chief secretary (CS) had been instructed to update the Senate Standing Committee about the state of
the missing persons in Balochistan.
He said according to the information provided to him, the government had a list of 900 missing people from Balochistan. “We have recovered 52 people
while 32 of them are still in various jails. Yet, we do not know anything about the whereabouts of the remaining missing persons,” he confessed, hoping
the Balochistan CS would provide details about the remaining missing persons. He said the government had provided licences to 22 national and
international companies to explore oil and gas in Balochistan, adding these companies, however, had not initiated work due to security reasons.
Mehmood rejected reports about the presence of Taliban in Quetta and elsewhere in Balochistan, saying such reports were false and incorrect.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/
Senate body briefed on law and order situation of Balochistan
QUETTA, Nov 24 (APP): A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior chaired by Senator Talha Mehmood on Monday reviewed law and order
situation in Balochistan. The meeting was attended by Senator Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, Senator Abdul Rahim Mandokhail, Senator Wali Muhammad
Badini, Senator Muhabbat Khan Marri, Senator Mumtaz Mehfooz, Senator Syed Akbar Shah, Senator Dr. Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, Senator Muhammad
Ismael Bulaidi, Provincial Home Minister Mir Zaffarullah Khan Zehri, Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa, Provincial Police Officer Asif Nawaz
Warraich, Secretary Home, Secretary S&GAD and other senior officials.
Briefing the committee about the performance, measures and problems faced by the police force, Provincial Police Officer Balochistan Asif Nawaz
Warraich said total strength of the police force in the province was 50012 and the number of police stations was 223. He asserted that the capacity of
the police force can be doubled if it was provided with resources and well trained cadres and officers. Expressing his views during the meeting Senator
Nawab Ayaz Khan assured that a Jirga formed by Pashtun tribal elders would fully support and cooperate with the police in its actions against outlaws
and gangs of criminals hiding in the Girdi Jungle and Jungle Piralizai.
Senator Abdul Rahim Mandokhail expressed his concern over the increasing crime ratio in various parts of the province and demanded that the police
should take stern action against kidnappers and discourage ransom. Senator Mohabbat Khan Marri supported the merger of levies in police and
stressed revitalizing all the forces in order to ensure peace in the province.
Senator Dr. Abdul Khaliq Pirzada urged the officials of law enforcing agencies to coordinate with the elected representatives of the people and workout
plans on how the increasing ratio of crimes could be checked. Senator Mumtaz Mehfooz demanded crack down against the criminals and foreigners
who were endangering peace of the province. Senator Wali Muhammad Badini stressed increase in patrolling on highways while Senator Dr.
Muhammad Ismael Bulaidi demanded elimination prevailing confusion of authority among the forces.
He suggested that the Prime Minister and President should personally intervene in reconciliation process and form a committee of notables of the
province who would hold negotiations with the nationalists for the sake of peace in Balochistan. Chief Secretary Balochistan Nasir Mehmood Khosa
welcomed the committee members and hoped that they would play their due role in resolving the Balochistan Issue with negotiations.
He said though perfection in law and order was impossible, yet the overall law and order situation in Balochistan was comparatively better than other
parts of the province. Concluding the meeting, Chairman of the Committee Senator Talha Mehmood asked the officials to coordinate with
representatives of the people, member of the committee and keenly listen to their proposals on law and order.
He said that the committee strongly favored resolution of all issues through dialogue adding that the people of Balochistan were patriot.
http://www.app.com.pk/
Around 0.2 million displaced families belonging to Marri and Bugti tribes
Nov. 23, 2008
KARACHI –Around 0.2 million displaced families belonging to Marri and Bugti tribes have deprived from basis facilities and forced to led life in
miserable conditions in different districts of the Sindh , Essa Bugti 35 years talking to group of journalist here on Thursday .
After army operation launched in different parts of Balochistan by previous military dictator Perveaz Musharraf, people in troubled parts of Balochistan
were forced to evacuate their homes and rushed in different parts of the Sindh majority of displaced Baloch families migrated from Dera Bugti , Sui ,
Kohlu and Kahn districts , displaced Baloch family members said .
Describing the plight and difficulties of displaced families said that after removal of military dictator Perveaz Musharraf a hope was brought for the
families but present government led by PPP only made tall claims about rehabilitation but only did nothing for displaced families.
"We are treated like refuges in our own homeland and no one has come forward to help the displaced families of the Baloch" Essa Bugti complained.
Baloch displaced families are living in miserable conditions Karachi, Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Kacha, Rohri, Dera Murad, Jaffarabad, taluka
Kotdiji and different disease are bring spread in displaced family members and especially in women , elders and children , he briefed .
Lambasting the Balochistan government rulers as well as federal government not taking keen interest for the rehabilitation of victims of ongoing military
operation in Balochistan.
Bugti claimed that the military operating is still going on as he received some information in this regard by some of his relatives living in Dera Bugti, he
said that civilian government of Balochistan no say in the Balochistan and paramilitary forces continue military operation.
He appealed the media and civil society to come forward and should visit the troubled areas to highlight plights of the people facing in these areas.
He charged that during the military operation, chemical weapons were used in Bugti and Marri settled areas, while the chemical toxic still privileging in
the air and the milieu in the affected areas.
He added that the Bugti and Marri people who came here for the medical treatment are not roaming in the city openly as they have threat to be abducted
by the secret agencies.
On other-side, according to the report issued by United Nations offices in Islamabad, around 84,000 people have been displaced from Dera Bugti
alone, the hometown of the slain Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti who was killed by the Army in August 2006.
The report had also mentioned that around 26,000 women and 33,000 children were in a very bad nutrition status, the report had revealed that the
people had displaced when tension mounted in the aftermath of a military operation launched by forces against the alleged rebellions and miscreants
attacking national gas and oil installations besides resisting the setting up of the military cantonments in their areas.
The UN report says the mass exodus had already made the situation serious with the onset of winter, making the Pakistani authorities to seek the help
of the UN to avert the nutrition crisis among the displaced and a majority of them now residing in Quetta, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad districts of the
province. The UN had subsequently approved a six months humanitarian relief package worth one million dollars to address the humanitarian crisis.
The package further includes setting up of 57 supplementary feeding centers and three therapeutic feeding centres in the three districts of Balochistan.
However, the then Balochistan government denied the observations of the UN report.
Meanwhile, the previous government and paramilitary officials had denied the said report, saying that almost all the migrated people have returned to
their homes in Dera Bugti and Kohlu except 1,500 people, a majority of whom are Hindu businessmen.
They said that the displaced people have been settled, who were forced by Akbar Bugti to leave the area, in Dera Bugti and Kohlu, and the government
authorities have been showing their unawareness about the displacement of people in the wake of the operation in the province.
Seven injured in two Balochistan bomb blasts
Staff Report
QUETTA : At least seven people, including a female police constable, were injured in two separate bomb blasts in the Dera Murad Jamali and Dera
Bugti districts of Balochistan on Tuesday.
According to details, six people were injured in Dera Murad Jamali when a powerful bomb that had been fixed to a motorcycle, exploded outside the
main gate of the local Session Court. Consequently, a female police constable Aysha Bibi and five others were injured. Two of the victims were critically
injured and immediately shifted to Larkana for treatment.
In a remote-controlled bomb blast in the Sui area of Dera Bugti district, Baloch militants tried to kill a former aide of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and his
son. Though the father, Wadera Lal Mandarani, escaped the attack, his son, Shaukat Lal Mandarani, was hurt in the blast. Police said the blast had
taken place in Mohammad Colony of Sui tehsil. The injured man was taken to a local hospital administered by Pakistan Petroleum Limited.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/
Promotion of national integrity, harmony need of hour: Shahbaz
LAHORE, Nov 25 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that promotion of national integrity and harmony is the need
of the hour as unity and cohesion is the key to a prosperous future. He said that Pakistan is facing serious threats and instead of relying on others we
should cope with all challenges as a living nation. He said that Punjab government will set up a college in Balochistan, to be equipped with modern
facilities, for the benefit of talented Balouchi students.
He was talking to a 40-member delegation of students belonging to different areas of Balochistan at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, here Tuesday.
Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa and Member National Assembly Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir were also present on the occasion. The
Chief Minister said that Balochistan is rich in natural resources. He said that Balouch Sardars not only rendered sacrifices in Pakistan movement but
also voted in favour of Pakistan but despite a passage of 60 years the real objectives of the creation of the country have not been achieved.
He said that terrorism and extremism will have to be uprooted in the interest of progress and prosperity of the country as otherwise no foreign
investment or development was possible in any sector. He said that Pakistan has four federating units and unity among them will have to be promoted
at any cost. He said that we are like a family and share each other’s joys and sorrows. He said that misconceptions about Punjab in Balochistan can be
removed only if we sit together and resolve each other’s genuine grievances.
He said that all resources of Punjab are at the disposal of Baloch brethren and people of Punjab have set a noble example by extending all out
assistance to the victims of the recent earthquake in Balochistan.
The Chief Minister said that elimination of poverty and deprivation, setting up of roads network, promotion of agriculture sector, construction of water
reservoirs, promotion of merit and maintenance of law & order is essential for the future of the country. He said that there is a need to rise above petty
differences to promote mutual brotherhood for the stability of the country. He said that Pakistan has weakened due to the wrong policies of the former
government but we should not lose hope and struggle for its strength and solidarity.
He said that Pakistan is our identity and we will have to transform it in the light of the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama
Muhammad Iqbal. He said that promotion of education and elimination of ignorance are his priorities but there is a need to ensure justice as well as it
is a prerequisite for the survival of the society. He said that an independent judiciary which could provide justice to the people without fear or favour can
change the destiny of nation. He said that existing education system is class-based and while all facilities are available to the rich students of private
schools, the students at public sector schools are facing a number of problems. He said that in order to remove this disparity, emergency will have to be
enforced in education sector. He said that an endowment fund has been established in Punjab with a sum of Rs.two billion for the benefit of brilliant
male and female students while the quota for Balouchi students in professional colleges of Punjab has been doubled. He said that students of
Balochistan who will come up to the merit will also be able to benefit from this fund. He said that as Pakistani we will have to share each other’s joys
and sorrows. The Chief Minister paid rich tribute to Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa for his active role in the provision of relief assistance
to the calamity-stricken people of Balochistan. Member National Assembly Sardar Yaqoob Nasir said that students of Balochistan were anxious to meet
Shahbaz Sharif as he has won the hearts of the people of Balochistan. He said that Pakistan needs a leader like Shahbaz Sharif who can promote unity
and integrity and solve all problems being faced by the country. The Chief Minister advised the students to utilize all their energies for acquiring
knowledge for ensuring a glorious future for the country.
Later, the Chief Minister presented gifts to the students.
http://www.app.com.pk/
Punjab to set up college in Balochistan, says Shahbaz
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
CHIEF Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said promotion of national integrity is need of the hour as unity is a key to the prosperous future of the country.
He said, “Instead of relying on others, we should cope with all challenges as a living nation.” He said the Punjab government would establish a college,
equipped with modern facilities, in Balochistan to benefit talented students.
He was talking to a 40-member delegation of students belonging to different areas of Balochistan at Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Tuesday. CM’s
Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa and MNA Sardar Yaqoob Khan were also present.
The chief minister said Balochistan was rich in natural resources. He said Baloch Sardars not only rendered sacrifices in the Pakistan Movement but
also voted in favour of Pakistan but despite passage of 60 years the real objectives of the creation of the country could not be achieved.
He said terrorism and extremism would have to be uprooted for progress of the country, otherwise, no foreign investment or development was possible
in any sector.
He urged promotion of unity among the four province of Pakistan . “We are like a family and share each other’s joys and sorrows. Misconceptions about
Punjab in Balochistan can be removed only if we sit together and address each other’s genuine grievances.” He said all the resources of Punjab were
at the disposal of Balochi brethren. He said people of Punjab had set a noble example by extending assistance to the victims of the recent earthquake
in Balochistan.He said alleviation of poverty and deprivation, construction of road network, promotion of agriculture sector, construction of water
reservoirs, promotion of merit and maintenance of law and order were essential for the future of the country. He said there was a need to rise above
petty differences to promote unity. He said, “Wrong policies of the former government weakened Pakistan but we should not lose hope and struggle for
its strength and solidarity. We will have to develop Pakistan in the light of the ideas of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.”
He said the existing education system in Pakistan was class-based. He said all facilities were available to the rich students of private schools but the
students of public sector schools were facing a number of problems. He said work would have to be done on emergency bases to end this disparity. He
said that a Rs 2 billion endowment fund had been established in Punjab for the benefit of brilliant male and female students.
He said students of Balochistan who would meet the merit would also be able to benefit from this fund.
He said the quota for Balochi students in professional colleges of Punjab had been doubled.
The chief minister praised the role of Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa in relief activities for the quake-hit people of Balochistan.
MNA Yaqoob Nasir said students of Balochistan were anxious to meet Shahbaz Sharif as he had won the hearts of the people of their province. He said
the country needed a leader like Shahbaz Sharif who could promote national unity and resolve its problems.
Later, the chief minister presented gifts to the visiting students.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/
Editorial: A strategy for Balochistan
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The secretary of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Reconciliatory Committee on Balochistan, Senator Babar Awan, says he has a strategy for a solution to the
problems of Balochistan. He has it narrowed down to “three Rs”: reconciliation with all political forces, rebuilding national institutions and reallocating
resources. The roadmap will have “five steps” and it will kick off with a jirga of intellectuals and other stakeholders from Balochistan on October 31 in
Islamabad. After that another jirga comprising all the political parties of the province would be held.
Let us admit one thing straightaway. Islamabad today is in a good position to address the Balochistan problem. The PPP government has been able to
tone down the insurgency that showed no signs of abating during the tenure of the previous government.creidt must also go to the PPP chief minister of
the province, Nawab Aslam Raisani, who has established his credibility among the major players in the politics of Balochistan by rising above partisan
politics and taking a pro-Balochistan stance. Now this development places on Islamabad the onus of going much farther ahead of the advances made
in the past to bring Balochistan back on borad the federation.
This point of time in the history of Pakistan is least suitable for a radical devolution to the provinces. The state is hardly in control of its territory
elsewhere, its institutions are weak to the point of non-delivery, and there are foreign elements freely challenging the writ of the state. Yet the pledge to
devolve has been made time and again and is now inevitable when the jirgas convene to examine the demands of those who represent Balochistan.
But any effort to meet the demands of Balochistan will have to be done under the Constitution. And if the Constitution no longer helps in its present
shape — and this is what the Baloch point out — the government should be prepared to muster the kind of parliamentary consensus needed to carry
out amendments in the Constitution.
If the situation in Balochistan is unique to it, the solutions proposed for the resolution of its problems will have to apply to all the provinces. The quantity
of devolution acceptable to the people of Balochistan should be applicable to all the provinces although under this devolution a certain degree of
preferential treatment can be apportioned to Balochistan because of its special conditions.
We hope that the jirga will highlight as well as compress the long tally of demands that appear in the media; and that the Balochistan Assembly is able
to formulate a final list that is acceptable to all, including elements that have fled into the mountains and are engaged in what they see as some kind of
“liberation struggle”. Most demands related to administration are aimed at reducing the interference of the federal government in the province. This
applies not only to the bureaucracy but also to such forces as the frontier constabulary and the police. The biggest “nationalist” demand grows out of
what modern-day textbooks call “resource-based” nationalism.
The “feelings” of the Baloch must be understood with sympathy. Their focus on the resources of the province has become sharp over the years because
of lack of development in the province. Had Balochistan been developed into a modern self-sufficient province, no one would have become conscious of
what Pakistan extracts from its soil and how it is disposed of. But now the law that guides the control of the natural resources and their royalties and
ownership will have to be revisited. A survey of what the Baloch leaders have highlighted in the past will give us a measure of the scale of the task lying
ahead of the federation.
Economic backwardness hounds areas in Ormara, where Pakistan’s modern naval base is constructed; Chaghai and Kharan, where the nuclear test
was conducted and where copper and gold are being mined; Lasbela, where an industrial town and strategic facilities are located; Dera Bugti, known
for its gas wells; Quetta and Bolan, where coal is being mined. And so on. Balochistan is 78 percent without electricity; and 79 percent of its population
is without the facility of gas. Balochistan has just 3.4 percent of all gas consumers, as compared to 64 percent of Punjab.
If peace is arranged in Balochistan, much can be given to Balochistan in return for a lot of new land that can be opened for exploration to enhance
Pakistan’s national capacity to produce energy. But the final solution must attract the people of Balochistan. Because its population is relatively small,
constitutional provisions can be made to create this attraction so that the rest of the provinces can collectively benefit from Balochistan’s natural
endowments without making the people there feel cheated. In return Balochistan must make itself governable by strengthening the writ of the state in its
territory. *
http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C10%5C28%5Cstory_28-10-2008_pg3_1
Roadmap to resolve Balochistan tangle unveiled
By Inamullah Khattak
ISLAMABAD, Oct 26: The government on Sunday announced a roadmap for the resolution of Balochistan issue. The plan envisages convening of a jirga
of Baloch intellectuals, newspaper owners and elders in Islamabad on Oct 30 or 31, seeking redistribution of natural resources through constitutional
amendments and rebuilding all destroyed national institutions or infrastructure.
Announcing the roadmap at a press conference here, Senator Babar Awan, Secretary of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Reconciliatory Committee on
Balochistan, said President Asif Ali Zardari had approved the strategy.
The committee was set up by President Asif Ali Zardari before his election to the presidency. Headed by Mr Zardari himself, other members of the
committee included Senator Raza Rabbani, Senator Babar Awan, Balochistan PPP president Lashkar and Raeesani Ijaz Jakhrani.“We want to assure
the people of Balochistan that PPP-led government sincerely aims at resolution of all their issues immediately without any delay. For this, we are ready
to go to any extent,” he said.
Mr Awan said that President Asif Ali Zardari would attend the jirga. Educationists, journalists, poets and writers from Balochsitan would be invited.
“Later, a multi-party political jirga would be convened, attended by all political forces of the province, to seek their suggestions to ensure the unity of the
federation and resolution of the issues,” he added.
Mr Awan said in the light of suggestions of the jirga some legal as well as constitutional amendments would be made to ensure an equitable
distribution of resources among the people of the province.
He said the vision of President Asif Ali Zardari was to resolve all issues through political consultations and not by confrontation.
“The era of one-man rule is over and now the government believes in making all decisions through consultations in parliament.” Mr Awan said that
during talks with leaders of different nationalist parties of the province, he saw no sign of hostility to the state.
“The Balochistan issue is of political nature, and not of terrorism or separatism,” the PPP leader said.
The secretary of the committee said reconciliation would be made with all political forces of Balochistan and the people displaced over the past nine
years would be rehabilitated in order to remove the impression that the federal government was aloof to problems of the Baloch.
Mr Awan said that over 7,000 military and paramilitary personnel deployed in towns of the province had been replaced with civilian personnel. Over one
thousand politically-motivated cases against Baloch leaders had been withdrawn.
The report submitted to the president, he said, also mentioned the release of 830 political activists, who had been languishing in jails, including some
family members of Mengal, Marri and Bugti tribes.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/10/27/top5.htm
‘National moot to solve Balochistan’s problems’
Friday, October 24, 2008
ISLAMABAD: A national conference could be convened to solve the problems of Balochistan, as it was President Asif Ali Zardari’s first priority, Senator Dr
Babar Awan said on Thursday. Awan was addressing a press conference at the Supreme Court. He said that Zardari had directed the ‘Reconciliatory
Committee’ to start working to solve Balochistan’s problems. Awan said that he was proud of the government passing a unanimous 14-point
resolution. He stated that Zardari had told him and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Balochistan President Lashkari Raisani that the committee for
Balochistan should speed up the process of reaching a consensus. He said that the PPP had set an example by releasing political prisoners and
withdrawing all cases against Balochistan’s politicians. Courtesy Daily Times
http://www.pakistanlink.com/
Historic 14-point anti-terrorism resolution adopted unanimously :
Nation united against terrorism: parliament
Thursday, October 23, 2008
* Dialogue will be primary instrument of conflict resolution
* Redistribution of resources to resolve Balochistan violence
* Civil agencies will replace military in troubled areas
* Compensation for violence victims, rehabilitation for the displaced
By Irfan Ghauri and Muhammad Bilal
ISLAMABAD: In a historic resolution on Wednesday, the parliament said the Pakistani nation was united against terrorism and sectarian violence and
would tackle the problem by addressing its root causes. The 14-point resolution, drafted after two days of rigorous negotiations, was passed
unanimously. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani moved the resolution, which he said would serve as policy guideline to the government in framing a
national security strategy. “Extremism, militancy and terrorism in all forms and manifestations pose a grave danger to the stability and integrity of the
country,” the resolution said. “Dictatorial regimes in the past pursued policies aimed at perpetuating their own power at the cost of national interest. “We
need an urgent review of our national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability to
Pakistan and the region through an independent foreign policy.” Dialogue: The parliament decided that “dialogue must now be the highest priority, as a
principal instrument of conflict management and resolution”, but also said talks would only “be encouraged with all those elements willing to abide by
the constitution of Pakistan and rule of law”. The legislators decided that all foreign fighters, “if found, shall be expelled from Pakistan’s soil”. The
parliament vowed that Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be safeguarded. “The nation stands united against any incursions and
invasions of the homeland, and calls upon the government to deal with it effectively,” the resolution said, but added: “Pakistan’s territory shall not be
used for any kind of attacks on other countries.” They also decided that “the development of troubled zones, particularly the Tribal Areas, and the NWFP
must also be pursued through all possible ways and legitimate means to create genuine stakeholders in peace. New economic opportunities shall be
created in order to bring the less privileged areas at par with the rest of Pakistan”. Balochistan: On the problem in Balochistan, the resolution called for
“a political dialogue with the people, addressing of their grievances and redistribution of resources shall be enhanced and accelerated”. It said the
federation must be strengthened “through the process of democratic pluralism, social justice, religious values and tolerance, and equitable resource
sharing between the provinces as enshrined in the Constitution of 1973”. Military: The state must ensure rule of law, the unanimous resolution said,
and “when it has to intervene to protect the lives of its citizens, caution must be exercised to avoid casualties of non-combatants in conflict zones”. The
legislators demanded that military be replaced with civilian law enforcement agencies in the conflict zones as early as possible, “with enhanced
capacity and a sustainable political system achieved through a consultative process”. The state must establish its writ, they demanded, but through
“confidence building mechanisms by using customary and local [jirgas]”. Pakistan’s strategic interests must be protected “by developing stakes in
regional peace and trade, both on the western and eastern borders”. Compensation and rehabilitation: The parliament decided that the “mechanisms
for internal security be institutionalised by paying compensation to victims of violence; and rehabilitate those displaced”. The parliament also decided to
form a committee to periodically review “the implementation of the principles framed and roadmap given in the resolution”. The committee will frame its
own rules when it meets. Courtesy DailyTimes
http://www.pakistanlink.com/
Zardari calls for innovative solutions to meet energy needs
ISLAMABAD (October 23 2008): President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for innovative and out of box solutions to increase oil and gas
production in the country for meeting the growing energy needs. He said this during a briefing at the Presidency on petroleum issues on Wednesday.
He said that national economy could not be sustained without energy.
He said that energy security, like food security, was critical in the modern-day world, and called for devising a comprehensive energy security plan. He
said that an effective energy security plan also involved dialogue at the regional level for co-operation in the field of energy.
The President added that the government had also planned to hold dialogue with the stakeholders in Balochistan to bring peace, so that the oil and
exploration and development activities in the province could be carried out without hindrance. He also called for carrying out aerial surveys for
exploration of oil and gas.
He said that during his visit to China he found the Chinese political leadership keen to assist Pakistan in all developmental activities. He called upon
the relevant officials to develop new models of private public partnership in the oil and gas sector with the Chinese entrepreneurs. The meeting was
attended by G A Sabri, Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Resources, OGDC Chairman Farooq Rahmatullah, PPL Managing Director Khalid Rehman,
and ARL Chairman Shoaib Malik.
http://www.brecorder.com/
Zardari calls for innovative solutions for energy shortage
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday stressed the need for innovative and out of box solutions to increase oil and gas production in the
country for meeting the growing energy needs. During a briefing in the Presidency on the petroleum issues he called for stepping up oil and gas
exploration. He said that economy could not be sustained without energy adding, “there is a pressing need for multiplying domestic energy production.”
He said that energy security, like food security, was critical in the modern day world and called for devising a comprehensive energy security plan. He
said that an effective energy security plan also involved dialogue at the regional level for cooperation in the filed of energy. The President said that the
government had also planned to hold dialogue with the stakeholders in Balochistan to bring peace so that the oil and exploration and development
activities in the province could be carried out without hindrance. He also called for carrying out aerial surveys for exploration of oil and gas. President
said Chinese political leadership was keen to assist Pakistan in all developmental activities.
http://www.pakistanlink.com/
By Ahmed Hassan
ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: The joint session of the two houses of parliament on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution calling for “an urgent review of
the national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability through an independent
foreign policy”.
It further said that the military would be replaced as early as possible with civilian law-enforcement agencies with enhanced capacity and a political
system achieved through a consultative process.
The joint session, which began on Oct 8 with military and civilian briefings on the war on terror, was prorogued by National Assembly Speaker Dr
Fehmida Mirza after the passage of the resolution.
The session took almost the whole day in bringing unanimity of views between 16 members of the bipartisan parliamentary committee formed on
Tuesday. The committee presented the 14-point document in parliament at about 10.30 pm.
Sources said the reason for taking so much pain to reach a consensus on the resolution and its unanimous adoption by lawmakers on Wednesday
was to complete the process before the departure of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for China on Thursday.
The resolution was moved by the prime minister and approved by all concerned, the sources said.
After the passage of the resolution, Prime Minister Gilani thanked all parliamentarians for participating in the debate and said the government had been
given a fresh mandate to “reorganise the war against extremism”.
The committee took several hours for accommodating points of view of all parliamentary groups in the Senate and the National Assembly.
The resolution said: “This in-camera joint session of parliament has noted with great concern that extremism, militancy and terrorism in all forms and
manifestations pose a grave danger to the stability and integrity of the nation-state. It was recalled that in the past the dictatorial regimes pursued
policies aimed at perpetuating their own power at the cost of national interest.
“This house having considered the issue thoroughly and at great length is of the view that in terms of framing laws, building institutions, protecting our
citizens from violence, eradication of terror at its roots, rebuilding our economy and development opportunities for the disadvantaged, we all commit to
the following:
“That we need an urgent review of our national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and
stability to Pakistan and the region though an independent foreign policy.
“The challenge of militancy and extremism must be met through developing a consensus and dialogue with all genuine stakeholders.
“The nation stands united to combat this growing menace, with a strong public message condemning all forms and manifestations of terrorism,
including the spread of sectarian hatred and violence, with a firm resolve to combat it and to address its root causes.
“That Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity shall be safeguarded. The nation stand united against any incursions and invasions of the
homeland, and calls upon the government to deal with it effectively.
“That Pakistan’s territory shall not be used for any kind of attacks on other countries and all foreign fighters, if found shall be expelled from our soil.
“That dialogue must now be the highest priority, as a principal instrument of conflict management and resolution. Dialogue will be encouraged with all
those elements willing to abide by the Constitution of Pakistan and rule of law.
“That the development of troubled zones, particularly the tribal areas, and the NWFP (Pakhtunkhwa) must also be pursued through all possible ways
and legitimate means to create genuine stakeholders in peace. New economic opportunities shall be created in order to bring the less privileged areas
at part with the rest of Pakistan. “That a political dialogue with the people of Balochistan, the redressal of grievances and redistribution of resources
shall be enhanced and accelerated.
“That the state shall maintain the rule of law and that when it has to intervene to protect the lives of its citizens, caution must be exercised to void
casualties of non-combatants in conflict zones.
“That the federation must be strengthened through the process of democratic pluralism, social justice, religious values and tolerance and equitable
resource sharing between the provinces as enshrined in the Constitution of 1973.
“That the state shall establish its writ in the troubled zones and confidence building mechanisms by using customary and local communities (jirga) and
that the military will be replaced as early as possible by civilian law-enforcement agencies with enhanced capacity and a sustainable political system
achieved through a consultative process.
“That Pakistan’s strategic interests are protected by developing stakes in regional peace and trade, both on the western and eastern borders.
“That mechanisms for internal security are institutionalised by paying compensation to victims of violence; and rehabilitate those displaced from their
homes as soon as possible; that spill-over effects of terrorism be contained throughout the country and that public consensus is built against terrorism
through media and religious participation.
“That a Special Committee of Parliament be constituted to periodically review, provide guidelines and monitor the implementation of the principles
framed and roadmap given in this resolution.
“This house authorises the Speaker to constitute the said committee in consultation with the parliamentary leaders of both the houses. The committee
will frame its own rules upon meeting.
http://www.dawn.com/
Security clearance given for oil, gas exploration in Balochistan
Thursday, October 16, 2008
QUETTA: Balochistan government has given security clearance for 15 blocks of the province for the exploration of oil and gas while the new petroleum
policy envisages more facilities to the exploration companies. According to sources, the exploration activities remained suspended in the above blocks
due to security concerns. However, exploration work will now be resumed soon in these blocks as the Balochistan government has declared the law
and order situation satisfactory and also given a security clearance in this regard. Under the new petroleum policy more and more companies will be
provided opportunities to undertake exploration activities so that the growing energy needs could be met by utilizing domestic resources. The process of
granting exploration license will be simplified besides giving other incentives to the companies. Courtesy Geo
Quetta: Nov 25, 2008. According to incoming reports from Balochistan’s Dera Bugti region Pakistani army and FC has started new brutal army
operation in Dasht Goran,pezbogi,neelagh and Dilbar mat area. it has started from20 November during this search operation army burned many Baloch
huts, killed and took away their kettle and burnt standing ripe wheat crops. More than 20 innocent Bugti Baloch was arrested and took them away for
interrogation and torture cell.
From 23rd November morning time 5 innocent Bugtis were killed very brutally among them two brothers who were killed when they went to mosques to
offered their fijar prayers they were dragged out and shot in cold blood of in Neelagh area. At the same area four other brothers were also killed they
were poor shepherded. Another old aged man Sohri Bugti was killed in front of their huts he was 67 age of old man. This operation is still going on in
Bugti. The brutalities of army have forced poor people once again have started migration from their native place into safe area.
People of the area and BRP representatives report More than 500 huts were set on fire. 70 farmers and shepherds were arrested and taken to army
garrison. The wheat and valuable of innocent and poor farmers were torched and looted in Rasal, Khanodor, ganja Matt, Meerag and Nelagh areas of
Dera Bugti. Thousands Baloch women and children are left without shelter in this cold weather in the area after their houses were torched by brutal
Pakistani army. He said while talking to the media.
The operation still continues in Dera Bugti and surrounding areas. More reports are awaited. Baloch Freedom fighters attacked another Pakistani Oil
and Gas exploration company in Kohlu area of Occupied Balochistan. According to sources Baloch freedom fighters attacked oil and Gas Company
camp with rockets and other automatic weapons in Kohlu, rockets landed in the camp and destroyed the camp, however no loss of life has been
reported in this attack.
Meanwhile BLA Sarmachars hurled a grenade in an ex army officer's house. In a result his son died. Spokesman of Baloch Liberation Army Mr. Bevrag
Baloch claimed responsibility of the attacks. While talking to media from an unspecified location. Bevrag Said. We warned the ex army officer to leave
Balochistan many times.
The fighting was continuing till late in the night. A source said the injured were being shifted to Sui.Meanwhile, a spokesman for Baloch Republican
Army Sarbaz Baloch also confirmed the clashes and claimed that security forces had killed innocent people who were working in fields. Calling from an
unknown place, he told newsmen that security forces had also used helicopter gunships.
Senator accuses US, India, Afghanistan of creating trouble in Balochistan.
Nine die in fresh Dera Bugti gunbattle
Nov 25, 2008
QUETTA: At least seven militants and two FC personnel were killed and four others suffered injuries in a gunbattle between security forces and militants
in Dera Bugti district on Saturday. According to reports, over two dozen people have been killed from both sides. However, official sources confirmed the
killing of only nine persons, including two security personnel of the Frontier Corps in the day-long battle. “Two FC men were killed and four injured in the
fighting,” a senior official told Dawn, adding that they had information about the killing of seven militants.The security forces said they destroyed two
militant camps and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition. Sources said the fighting started in Ganz Nallah area of the district early Saturday
morning when FC men, who were on a routine patrol, came under attack. Spokesman for the banned Baloch Republican Army Sarbaz Baloch claimed
responsibility for the and said that 17 FC man had been killed in the fighting.
FC troops with reinforcements have moved into Gandoai and Toba Nokhani area.“Heavy weapons are being used by both sides against each other,”
sources said, adding that the fighting was continuing till late in the night. An FC source also confirmed the ongoing clash. The clash between the
Baloch militants and security forces come after when the three baloch militant organiations, including the banned Baloch Liberation Army, Baloch
Republican Army and Baloch Liberation Front announced their joint unilateral ceasefire on 1st September this year.
* Talha says countries want disintegration of Pakistan to create ‘Greater Balochistan’
QUETTA: Senate Standing Committee on Interior Chairman Senator Talha Mehmood has accused the United States, India and Afghanistan of
conspiring to carve out a ‘Greater Balochistan’ by causing the disintegration of Pakistan.
Mehmood was addressing a news conference on Monday in the Officers’ Club along with several other members of the Senate.
He reacted angrily to a recent map published in an American newspaper, the New York Times, which showed Balochistan as a ‘free state’ and parts of
the NWFP joining Afghanistan. He said it was a part of the conspiracy the three countries had hatched against Pakistan. The countries want to create
trouble in Balochistan and extend support to the cause of a ‘Greater Balochistan’, he said, adding the Pakistani government and people, however,
would never allow such plans to materialise. He said Pakistanis should demonstrate unity in their ranks and foil all attempts to break up the country.
“We want the government to negotiate with the Baloch brothers who have gone in the mountains and waged a war against the state,” he said, adding
the government was sincerely trying to reach a political settlement to the Balochistan issue. The government has issued the reinstatement orders of
177 personnel of the Levies force in order to build the trust of the Baloch people, he said.
“We do not care what happened to the previous committees formed to settle the Balochistan issue. We believe in constant engagement of the federal
government with Balochistan. We will continue to deal with the Baloch issue until it is resolved. The government should agree first to grant autonomy to
the provinces so that their complaints are addressed,” he said.
Disappearances: Mehmood said the Balochistan chief secretary (CS) had been instructed to update the Senate Standing Committee about the state of
the missing persons in Balochistan.
He said according to the information provided to him, the government had a list of 900 missing people from Balochistan. “We have recovered 52 people
while 32 of them are still in various jails. Yet, we do not know anything about the whereabouts of the remaining missing persons,” he confessed, hoping
the Balochistan CS would provide details about the remaining missing persons. He said the government had provided licences to 22 national and
international companies to explore oil and gas in Balochistan, adding these companies, however, had not initiated work due to security reasons.
Mehmood rejected reports about the presence of Taliban in Quetta and elsewhere in Balochistan, saying such reports were false and incorrect.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/
Senate body briefed on law and order situation of Balochistan
QUETTA, Nov 24 (APP): A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior chaired by Senator Talha Mehmood on Monday reviewed law and order
situation in Balochistan. The meeting was attended by Senator Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, Senator Abdul Rahim Mandokhail, Senator Wali Muhammad
Badini, Senator Muhabbat Khan Marri, Senator Mumtaz Mehfooz, Senator Syed Akbar Shah, Senator Dr. Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, Senator Muhammad
Ismael Bulaidi, Provincial Home Minister Mir Zaffarullah Khan Zehri, Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa, Provincial Police Officer Asif Nawaz
Warraich, Secretary Home, Secretary S&GAD and other senior officials.
Briefing the committee about the performance, measures and problems faced by the police force, Provincial Police Officer Balochistan Asif Nawaz
Warraich said total strength of the police force in the province was 50012 and the number of police stations was 223. He asserted that the capacity of
the police force can be doubled if it was provided with resources and well trained cadres and officers. Expressing his views during the meeting Senator
Nawab Ayaz Khan assured that a Jirga formed by Pashtun tribal elders would fully support and cooperate with the police in its actions against outlaws
and gangs of criminals hiding in the Girdi Jungle and Jungle Piralizai.
Senator Abdul Rahim Mandokhail expressed his concern over the increasing crime ratio in various parts of the province and demanded that the police
should take stern action against kidnappers and discourage ransom. Senator Mohabbat Khan Marri supported the merger of levies in police and
stressed revitalizing all the forces in order to ensure peace in the province.
Senator Dr. Abdul Khaliq Pirzada urged the officials of law enforcing agencies to coordinate with the elected representatives of the people and workout
plans on how the increasing ratio of crimes could be checked. Senator Mumtaz Mehfooz demanded crack down against the criminals and foreigners
who were endangering peace of the province. Senator Wali Muhammad Badini stressed increase in patrolling on highways while Senator Dr.
Muhammad Ismael Bulaidi demanded elimination prevailing confusion of authority among the forces.
He suggested that the Prime Minister and President should personally intervene in reconciliation process and form a committee of notables of the
province who would hold negotiations with the nationalists for the sake of peace in Balochistan. Chief Secretary Balochistan Nasir Mehmood Khosa
welcomed the committee members and hoped that they would play their due role in resolving the Balochistan Issue with negotiations.
He said though perfection in law and order was impossible, yet the overall law and order situation in Balochistan was comparatively better than other
parts of the province. Concluding the meeting, Chairman of the Committee Senator Talha Mehmood asked the officials to coordinate with
representatives of the people, member of the committee and keenly listen to their proposals on law and order.
He said that the committee strongly favored resolution of all issues through dialogue adding that the people of Balochistan were patriot.
http://www.app.com.pk/
Around 0.2 million displaced families belonging to Marri and Bugti tribes
Nov. 23, 2008
KARACHI –Around 0.2 million displaced families belonging to Marri and Bugti tribes have deprived from basis facilities and forced to led life in
miserable conditions in different districts of the Sindh , Essa Bugti 35 years talking to group of journalist here on Thursday .
After army operation launched in different parts of Balochistan by previous military dictator Perveaz Musharraf, people in troubled parts of Balochistan
were forced to evacuate their homes and rushed in different parts of the Sindh majority of displaced Baloch families migrated from Dera Bugti , Sui ,
Kohlu and Kahn districts , displaced Baloch family members said .
Describing the plight and difficulties of displaced families said that after removal of military dictator Perveaz Musharraf a hope was brought for the
families but present government led by PPP only made tall claims about rehabilitation but only did nothing for displaced families.
"We are treated like refuges in our own homeland and no one has come forward to help the displaced families of the Baloch" Essa Bugti complained.
Baloch displaced families are living in miserable conditions Karachi, Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Kacha, Rohri, Dera Murad, Jaffarabad, taluka
Kotdiji and different disease are bring spread in displaced family members and especially in women , elders and children , he briefed .
Lambasting the Balochistan government rulers as well as federal government not taking keen interest for the rehabilitation of victims of ongoing military
operation in Balochistan.
Bugti claimed that the military operating is still going on as he received some information in this regard by some of his relatives living in Dera Bugti, he
said that civilian government of Balochistan no say in the Balochistan and paramilitary forces continue military operation.
He appealed the media and civil society to come forward and should visit the troubled areas to highlight plights of the people facing in these areas.
He charged that during the military operation, chemical weapons were used in Bugti and Marri settled areas, while the chemical toxic still privileging in
the air and the milieu in the affected areas.
He added that the Bugti and Marri people who came here for the medical treatment are not roaming in the city openly as they have threat to be abducted
by the secret agencies.
On other-side, according to the report issued by United Nations offices in Islamabad, around 84,000 people have been displaced from Dera Bugti
alone, the hometown of the slain Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti who was killed by the Army in August 2006.
The report had also mentioned that around 26,000 women and 33,000 children were in a very bad nutrition status, the report had revealed that the
people had displaced when tension mounted in the aftermath of a military operation launched by forces against the alleged rebellions and miscreants
attacking national gas and oil installations besides resisting the setting up of the military cantonments in their areas.
The UN report says the mass exodus had already made the situation serious with the onset of winter, making the Pakistani authorities to seek the help
of the UN to avert the nutrition crisis among the displaced and a majority of them now residing in Quetta, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad districts of the
province. The UN had subsequently approved a six months humanitarian relief package worth one million dollars to address the humanitarian crisis.
The package further includes setting up of 57 supplementary feeding centers and three therapeutic feeding centres in the three districts of Balochistan.
However, the then Balochistan government denied the observations of the UN report.
Meanwhile, the previous government and paramilitary officials had denied the said report, saying that almost all the migrated people have returned to
their homes in Dera Bugti and Kohlu except 1,500 people, a majority of whom are Hindu businessmen.
They said that the displaced people have been settled, who were forced by Akbar Bugti to leave the area, in Dera Bugti and Kohlu, and the government
authorities have been showing their unawareness about the displacement of people in the wake of the operation in the province.
Seven injured in two Balochistan bomb blasts
Staff Report
QUETTA : At least seven people, including a female police constable, were injured in two separate bomb blasts in the Dera Murad Jamali and Dera
Bugti districts of Balochistan on Tuesday.
According to details, six people were injured in Dera Murad Jamali when a powerful bomb that had been fixed to a motorcycle, exploded outside the
main gate of the local Session Court. Consequently, a female police constable Aysha Bibi and five others were injured. Two of the victims were critically
injured and immediately shifted to Larkana for treatment.
In a remote-controlled bomb blast in the Sui area of Dera Bugti district, Baloch militants tried to kill a former aide of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and his
son. Though the father, Wadera Lal Mandarani, escaped the attack, his son, Shaukat Lal Mandarani, was hurt in the blast. Police said the blast had
taken place in Mohammad Colony of Sui tehsil. The injured man was taken to a local hospital administered by Pakistan Petroleum Limited.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/
Promotion of national integrity, harmony need of hour: Shahbaz
LAHORE, Nov 25 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that promotion of national integrity and harmony is the need
of the hour as unity and cohesion is the key to a prosperous future. He said that Pakistan is facing serious threats and instead of relying on others we
should cope with all challenges as a living nation. He said that Punjab government will set up a college in Balochistan, to be equipped with modern
facilities, for the benefit of talented Balouchi students.
He was talking to a 40-member delegation of students belonging to different areas of Balochistan at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, here Tuesday.
Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa and Member National Assembly Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir were also present on the occasion. The
Chief Minister said that Balochistan is rich in natural resources. He said that Balouch Sardars not only rendered sacrifices in Pakistan movement but
also voted in favour of Pakistan but despite a passage of 60 years the real objectives of the creation of the country have not been achieved.
He said that terrorism and extremism will have to be uprooted in the interest of progress and prosperity of the country as otherwise no foreign
investment or development was possible in any sector. He said that Pakistan has four federating units and unity among them will have to be promoted
at any cost. He said that we are like a family and share each other’s joys and sorrows. He said that misconceptions about Punjab in Balochistan can be
removed only if we sit together and resolve each other’s genuine grievances.
He said that all resources of Punjab are at the disposal of Baloch brethren and people of Punjab have set a noble example by extending all out
assistance to the victims of the recent earthquake in Balochistan.
The Chief Minister said that elimination of poverty and deprivation, setting up of roads network, promotion of agriculture sector, construction of water
reservoirs, promotion of merit and maintenance of law & order is essential for the future of the country. He said that there is a need to rise above petty
differences to promote mutual brotherhood for the stability of the country. He said that Pakistan has weakened due to the wrong policies of the former
government but we should not lose hope and struggle for its strength and solidarity.
He said that Pakistan is our identity and we will have to transform it in the light of the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama
Muhammad Iqbal. He said that promotion of education and elimination of ignorance are his priorities but there is a need to ensure justice as well as it
is a prerequisite for the survival of the society. He said that an independent judiciary which could provide justice to the people without fear or favour can
change the destiny of nation. He said that existing education system is class-based and while all facilities are available to the rich students of private
schools, the students at public sector schools are facing a number of problems. He said that in order to remove this disparity, emergency will have to be
enforced in education sector. He said that an endowment fund has been established in Punjab with a sum of Rs.two billion for the benefit of brilliant
male and female students while the quota for Balouchi students in professional colleges of Punjab has been doubled. He said that students of
Balochistan who will come up to the merit will also be able to benefit from this fund. He said that as Pakistani we will have to share each other’s joys
and sorrows. The Chief Minister paid rich tribute to Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa for his active role in the provision of relief assistance
to the calamity-stricken people of Balochistan. Member National Assembly Sardar Yaqoob Nasir said that students of Balochistan were anxious to meet
Shahbaz Sharif as he has won the hearts of the people of Balochistan. He said that Pakistan needs a leader like Shahbaz Sharif who can promote unity
and integrity and solve all problems being faced by the country. The Chief Minister advised the students to utilize all their energies for acquiring
knowledge for ensuring a glorious future for the country.
Later, the Chief Minister presented gifts to the students.
http://www.app.com.pk/
Punjab to set up college in Balochistan, says Shahbaz
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
CHIEF Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said promotion of national integrity is need of the hour as unity is a key to the prosperous future of the country.
He said, “Instead of relying on others, we should cope with all challenges as a living nation.” He said the Punjab government would establish a college,
equipped with modern facilities, in Balochistan to benefit talented students.
He was talking to a 40-member delegation of students belonging to different areas of Balochistan at Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Tuesday. CM’s
Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa and MNA Sardar Yaqoob Khan were also present.
The chief minister said Balochistan was rich in natural resources. He said Baloch Sardars not only rendered sacrifices in the Pakistan Movement but
also voted in favour of Pakistan but despite passage of 60 years the real objectives of the creation of the country could not be achieved.
He said terrorism and extremism would have to be uprooted for progress of the country, otherwise, no foreign investment or development was possible
in any sector.
He urged promotion of unity among the four province of Pakistan . “We are like a family and share each other’s joys and sorrows. Misconceptions about
Punjab in Balochistan can be removed only if we sit together and address each other’s genuine grievances.” He said all the resources of Punjab were
at the disposal of Balochi brethren. He said people of Punjab had set a noble example by extending assistance to the victims of the recent earthquake
in Balochistan.He said alleviation of poverty and deprivation, construction of road network, promotion of agriculture sector, construction of water
reservoirs, promotion of merit and maintenance of law and order were essential for the future of the country. He said there was a need to rise above
petty differences to promote unity. He said, “Wrong policies of the former government weakened Pakistan but we should not lose hope and struggle for
its strength and solidarity. We will have to develop Pakistan in the light of the ideas of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.”
He said the existing education system in Pakistan was class-based. He said all facilities were available to the rich students of private schools but the
students of public sector schools were facing a number of problems. He said work would have to be done on emergency bases to end this disparity. He
said that a Rs 2 billion endowment fund had been established in Punjab for the benefit of brilliant male and female students.
He said students of Balochistan who would meet the merit would also be able to benefit from this fund.
He said the quota for Balochi students in professional colleges of Punjab had been doubled.
The chief minister praised the role of Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa in relief activities for the quake-hit people of Balochistan.
MNA Yaqoob Nasir said students of Balochistan were anxious to meet Shahbaz Sharif as he had won the hearts of the people of their province. He said
the country needed a leader like Shahbaz Sharif who could promote national unity and resolve its problems.
Later, the chief minister presented gifts to the visiting students.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/
Editorial: A strategy for Balochistan
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The secretary of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Reconciliatory Committee on Balochistan, Senator Babar Awan, says he has a strategy for a solution to the
problems of Balochistan. He has it narrowed down to “three Rs”: reconciliation with all political forces, rebuilding national institutions and reallocating
resources. The roadmap will have “five steps” and it will kick off with a jirga of intellectuals and other stakeholders from Balochistan on October 31 in
Islamabad. After that another jirga comprising all the political parties of the province would be held.
Let us admit one thing straightaway. Islamabad today is in a good position to address the Balochistan problem. The PPP government has been able to
tone down the insurgency that showed no signs of abating during the tenure of the previous government.creidt must also go to the PPP chief minister of
the province, Nawab Aslam Raisani, who has established his credibility among the major players in the politics of Balochistan by rising above partisan
politics and taking a pro-Balochistan stance. Now this development places on Islamabad the onus of going much farther ahead of the advances made
in the past to bring Balochistan back on borad the federation.
This point of time in the history of Pakistan is least suitable for a radical devolution to the provinces. The state is hardly in control of its territory
elsewhere, its institutions are weak to the point of non-delivery, and there are foreign elements freely challenging the writ of the state. Yet the pledge to
devolve has been made time and again and is now inevitable when the jirgas convene to examine the demands of those who represent Balochistan.
But any effort to meet the demands of Balochistan will have to be done under the Constitution. And if the Constitution no longer helps in its present
shape — and this is what the Baloch point out — the government should be prepared to muster the kind of parliamentary consensus needed to carry
out amendments in the Constitution.
If the situation in Balochistan is unique to it, the solutions proposed for the resolution of its problems will have to apply to all the provinces. The quantity
of devolution acceptable to the people of Balochistan should be applicable to all the provinces although under this devolution a certain degree of
preferential treatment can be apportioned to Balochistan because of its special conditions.
We hope that the jirga will highlight as well as compress the long tally of demands that appear in the media; and that the Balochistan Assembly is able
to formulate a final list that is acceptable to all, including elements that have fled into the mountains and are engaged in what they see as some kind of
“liberation struggle”. Most demands related to administration are aimed at reducing the interference of the federal government in the province. This
applies not only to the bureaucracy but also to such forces as the frontier constabulary and the police. The biggest “nationalist” demand grows out of
what modern-day textbooks call “resource-based” nationalism.
The “feelings” of the Baloch must be understood with sympathy. Their focus on the resources of the province has become sharp over the years because
of lack of development in the province. Had Balochistan been developed into a modern self-sufficient province, no one would have become conscious of
what Pakistan extracts from its soil and how it is disposed of. But now the law that guides the control of the natural resources and their royalties and
ownership will have to be revisited. A survey of what the Baloch leaders have highlighted in the past will give us a measure of the scale of the task lying
ahead of the federation.
Economic backwardness hounds areas in Ormara, where Pakistan’s modern naval base is constructed; Chaghai and Kharan, where the nuclear test
was conducted and where copper and gold are being mined; Lasbela, where an industrial town and strategic facilities are located; Dera Bugti, known
for its gas wells; Quetta and Bolan, where coal is being mined. And so on. Balochistan is 78 percent without electricity; and 79 percent of its population
is without the facility of gas. Balochistan has just 3.4 percent of all gas consumers, as compared to 64 percent of Punjab.
If peace is arranged in Balochistan, much can be given to Balochistan in return for a lot of new land that can be opened for exploration to enhance
Pakistan’s national capacity to produce energy. But the final solution must attract the people of Balochistan. Because its population is relatively small,
constitutional provisions can be made to create this attraction so that the rest of the provinces can collectively benefit from Balochistan’s natural
endowments without making the people there feel cheated. In return Balochistan must make itself governable by strengthening the writ of the state in its
territory. *
http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C10%5C28%5Cstory_28-10-2008_pg3_1
Roadmap to resolve Balochistan tangle unveiled
By Inamullah Khattak
ISLAMABAD, Oct 26: The government on Sunday announced a roadmap for the resolution of Balochistan issue. The plan envisages convening of a jirga
of Baloch intellectuals, newspaper owners and elders in Islamabad on Oct 30 or 31, seeking redistribution of natural resources through constitutional
amendments and rebuilding all destroyed national institutions or infrastructure.
Announcing the roadmap at a press conference here, Senator Babar Awan, Secretary of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Reconciliatory Committee on
Balochistan, said President Asif Ali Zardari had approved the strategy.
The committee was set up by President Asif Ali Zardari before his election to the presidency. Headed by Mr Zardari himself, other members of the
committee included Senator Raza Rabbani, Senator Babar Awan, Balochistan PPP president Lashkar and Raeesani Ijaz Jakhrani.“We want to assure
the people of Balochistan that PPP-led government sincerely aims at resolution of all their issues immediately without any delay. For this, we are ready
to go to any extent,” he said.
Mr Awan said that President Asif Ali Zardari would attend the jirga. Educationists, journalists, poets and writers from Balochsitan would be invited.
“Later, a multi-party political jirga would be convened, attended by all political forces of the province, to seek their suggestions to ensure the unity of the
federation and resolution of the issues,” he added.
Mr Awan said in the light of suggestions of the jirga some legal as well as constitutional amendments would be made to ensure an equitable
distribution of resources among the people of the province.
He said the vision of President Asif Ali Zardari was to resolve all issues through political consultations and not by confrontation.
“The era of one-man rule is over and now the government believes in making all decisions through consultations in parliament.” Mr Awan said that
during talks with leaders of different nationalist parties of the province, he saw no sign of hostility to the state.
“The Balochistan issue is of political nature, and not of terrorism or separatism,” the PPP leader said.
The secretary of the committee said reconciliation would be made with all political forces of Balochistan and the people displaced over the past nine
years would be rehabilitated in order to remove the impression that the federal government was aloof to problems of the Baloch.
Mr Awan said that over 7,000 military and paramilitary personnel deployed in towns of the province had been replaced with civilian personnel. Over one
thousand politically-motivated cases against Baloch leaders had been withdrawn.
The report submitted to the president, he said, also mentioned the release of 830 political activists, who had been languishing in jails, including some
family members of Mengal, Marri and Bugti tribes.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/10/27/top5.htm
‘National moot to solve Balochistan’s problems’
Friday, October 24, 2008
ISLAMABAD: A national conference could be convened to solve the problems of Balochistan, as it was President Asif Ali Zardari’s first priority, Senator Dr
Babar Awan said on Thursday. Awan was addressing a press conference at the Supreme Court. He said that Zardari had directed the ‘Reconciliatory
Committee’ to start working to solve Balochistan’s problems. Awan said that he was proud of the government passing a unanimous 14-point
resolution. He stated that Zardari had told him and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Balochistan President Lashkari Raisani that the committee for
Balochistan should speed up the process of reaching a consensus. He said that the PPP had set an example by releasing political prisoners and
withdrawing all cases against Balochistan’s politicians. Courtesy Daily Times
http://www.pakistanlink.com/
Historic 14-point anti-terrorism resolution adopted unanimously :
Nation united against terrorism: parliament
Thursday, October 23, 2008
* Dialogue will be primary instrument of conflict resolution
* Redistribution of resources to resolve Balochistan violence
* Civil agencies will replace military in troubled areas
* Compensation for violence victims, rehabilitation for the displaced
By Irfan Ghauri and Muhammad Bilal
ISLAMABAD: In a historic resolution on Wednesday, the parliament said the Pakistani nation was united against terrorism and sectarian violence and
would tackle the problem by addressing its root causes. The 14-point resolution, drafted after two days of rigorous negotiations, was passed
unanimously. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani moved the resolution, which he said would serve as policy guideline to the government in framing a
national security strategy. “Extremism, militancy and terrorism in all forms and manifestations pose a grave danger to the stability and integrity of the
country,” the resolution said. “Dictatorial regimes in the past pursued policies aimed at perpetuating their own power at the cost of national interest. “We
need an urgent review of our national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability to
Pakistan and the region through an independent foreign policy.” Dialogue: The parliament decided that “dialogue must now be the highest priority, as a
principal instrument of conflict management and resolution”, but also said talks would only “be encouraged with all those elements willing to abide by
the constitution of Pakistan and rule of law”. The legislators decided that all foreign fighters, “if found, shall be expelled from Pakistan’s soil”. The
parliament vowed that Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be safeguarded. “The nation stands united against any incursions and
invasions of the homeland, and calls upon the government to deal with it effectively,” the resolution said, but added: “Pakistan’s territory shall not be
used for any kind of attacks on other countries.” They also decided that “the development of troubled zones, particularly the Tribal Areas, and the NWFP
must also be pursued through all possible ways and legitimate means to create genuine stakeholders in peace. New economic opportunities shall be
created in order to bring the less privileged areas at par with the rest of Pakistan”. Balochistan: On the problem in Balochistan, the resolution called for
“a political dialogue with the people, addressing of their grievances and redistribution of resources shall be enhanced and accelerated”. It said the
federation must be strengthened “through the process of democratic pluralism, social justice, religious values and tolerance, and equitable resource
sharing between the provinces as enshrined in the Constitution of 1973”. Military: The state must ensure rule of law, the unanimous resolution said,
and “when it has to intervene to protect the lives of its citizens, caution must be exercised to avoid casualties of non-combatants in conflict zones”. The
legislators demanded that military be replaced with civilian law enforcement agencies in the conflict zones as early as possible, “with enhanced
capacity and a sustainable political system achieved through a consultative process”. The state must establish its writ, they demanded, but through
“confidence building mechanisms by using customary and local [jirgas]”. Pakistan’s strategic interests must be protected “by developing stakes in
regional peace and trade, both on the western and eastern borders”. Compensation and rehabilitation: The parliament decided that the “mechanisms
for internal security be institutionalised by paying compensation to victims of violence; and rehabilitate those displaced”. The parliament also decided to
form a committee to periodically review “the implementation of the principles framed and roadmap given in the resolution”. The committee will frame its
own rules when it meets. Courtesy DailyTimes
http://www.pakistanlink.com/
Zardari calls for innovative solutions to meet energy needs
ISLAMABAD (October 23 2008): President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for innovative and out of box solutions to increase oil and gas
production in the country for meeting the growing energy needs. He said this during a briefing at the Presidency on petroleum issues on Wednesday.
He said that national economy could not be sustained without energy.
He said that energy security, like food security, was critical in the modern-day world, and called for devising a comprehensive energy security plan. He
said that an effective energy security plan also involved dialogue at the regional level for co-operation in the field of energy.
The President added that the government had also planned to hold dialogue with the stakeholders in Balochistan to bring peace, so that the oil and
exploration and development activities in the province could be carried out without hindrance. He also called for carrying out aerial surveys for
exploration of oil and gas.
He said that during his visit to China he found the Chinese political leadership keen to assist Pakistan in all developmental activities. He called upon
the relevant officials to develop new models of private public partnership in the oil and gas sector with the Chinese entrepreneurs. The meeting was
attended by G A Sabri, Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Resources, OGDC Chairman Farooq Rahmatullah, PPL Managing Director Khalid Rehman,
and ARL Chairman Shoaib Malik.
http://www.brecorder.com/
Zardari calls for innovative solutions for energy shortage
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday stressed the need for innovative and out of box solutions to increase oil and gas production in the
country for meeting the growing energy needs. During a briefing in the Presidency on the petroleum issues he called for stepping up oil and gas
exploration. He said that economy could not be sustained without energy adding, “there is a pressing need for multiplying domestic energy production.”
He said that energy security, like food security, was critical in the modern day world and called for devising a comprehensive energy security plan. He
said that an effective energy security plan also involved dialogue at the regional level for cooperation in the filed of energy. The President said that the
government had also planned to hold dialogue with the stakeholders in Balochistan to bring peace so that the oil and exploration and development
activities in the province could be carried out without hindrance. He also called for carrying out aerial surveys for exploration of oil and gas. President
said Chinese political leadership was keen to assist Pakistan in all developmental activities.
http://www.pakistanlink.com/
By Ahmed Hassan
ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: The joint session of the two houses of parliament on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution calling for “an urgent review of
the national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability through an independent
foreign policy”.
It further said that the military would be replaced as early as possible with civilian law-enforcement agencies with enhanced capacity and a political
system achieved through a consultative process.
The joint session, which began on Oct 8 with military and civilian briefings on the war on terror, was prorogued by National Assembly Speaker Dr
Fehmida Mirza after the passage of the resolution.
The session took almost the whole day in bringing unanimity of views between 16 members of the bipartisan parliamentary committee formed on
Tuesday. The committee presented the 14-point document in parliament at about 10.30 pm.
Sources said the reason for taking so much pain to reach a consensus on the resolution and its unanimous adoption by lawmakers on Wednesday
was to complete the process before the departure of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for China on Thursday.
The resolution was moved by the prime minister and approved by all concerned, the sources said.
After the passage of the resolution, Prime Minister Gilani thanked all parliamentarians for participating in the debate and said the government had been
given a fresh mandate to “reorganise the war against extremism”.
The committee took several hours for accommodating points of view of all parliamentary groups in the Senate and the National Assembly.
The resolution said: “This in-camera joint session of parliament has noted with great concern that extremism, militancy and terrorism in all forms and
manifestations pose a grave danger to the stability and integrity of the nation-state. It was recalled that in the past the dictatorial regimes pursued
policies aimed at perpetuating their own power at the cost of national interest.
“This house having considered the issue thoroughly and at great length is of the view that in terms of framing laws, building institutions, protecting our
citizens from violence, eradication of terror at its roots, rebuilding our economy and development opportunities for the disadvantaged, we all commit to
the following:
“That we need an urgent review of our national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and
stability to Pakistan and the region though an independent foreign policy.
“The challenge of militancy and extremism must be met through developing a consensus and dialogue with all genuine stakeholders.
“The nation stands united to combat this growing menace, with a strong public message condemning all forms and manifestations of terrorism,
including the spread of sectarian hatred and violence, with a firm resolve to combat it and to address its root causes.
“That Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity shall be safeguarded. The nation stand united against any incursions and invasions of the
homeland, and calls upon the government to deal with it effectively.
“That Pakistan’s territory shall not be used for any kind of attacks on other countries and all foreign fighters, if found shall be expelled from our soil.
“That dialogue must now be the highest priority, as a principal instrument of conflict management and resolution. Dialogue will be encouraged with all
those elements willing to abide by the Constitution of Pakistan and rule of law.
“That the development of troubled zones, particularly the tribal areas, and the NWFP (Pakhtunkhwa) must also be pursued through all possible ways
and legitimate means to create genuine stakeholders in peace. New economic opportunities shall be created in order to bring the less privileged areas
at part with the rest of Pakistan. “That a political dialogue with the people of Balochistan, the redressal of grievances and redistribution of resources
shall be enhanced and accelerated.
“That the state shall maintain the rule of law and that when it has to intervene to protect the lives of its citizens, caution must be exercised to void
casualties of non-combatants in conflict zones.
“That the federation must be strengthened through the process of democratic pluralism, social justice, religious values and tolerance and equitable
resource sharing between the provinces as enshrined in the Constitution of 1973.
“That the state shall establish its writ in the troubled zones and confidence building mechanisms by using customary and local communities (jirga) and
that the military will be replaced as early as possible by civilian law-enforcement agencies with enhanced capacity and a sustainable political system
achieved through a consultative process.
“That Pakistan’s strategic interests are protected by developing stakes in regional peace and trade, both on the western and eastern borders.
“That mechanisms for internal security are institutionalised by paying compensation to victims of violence; and rehabilitate those displaced from their
homes as soon as possible; that spill-over effects of terrorism be contained throughout the country and that public consensus is built against terrorism
through media and religious participation.
“That a Special Committee of Parliament be constituted to periodically review, provide guidelines and monitor the implementation of the principles
framed and roadmap given in this resolution.
“This house authorises the Speaker to constitute the said committee in consultation with the parliamentary leaders of both the houses. The committee
will frame its own rules upon meeting.
http://www.dawn.com/
Security clearance given for oil, gas exploration in Balochistan
Thursday, October 16, 2008
QUETTA: Balochistan government has given security clearance for 15 blocks of the province for the exploration of oil and gas while the new petroleum
policy envisages more facilities to the exploration companies. According to sources, the exploration activities remained suspended in the above blocks
due to security concerns. However, exploration work will now be resumed soon in these blocks as the Balochistan government has declared the law
and order situation satisfactory and also given a security clearance in this regard. Under the new petroleum policy more and more companies will be
provided opportunities to undertake exploration activities so that the growing energy needs could be met by utilizing domestic resources. The process of
granting exploration license will be simplified besides giving other incentives to the companies. Courtesy Geo