Speaking at the launch of book on Balochistan, Sardar Akhtar Mengal has said that only way forward for peace in Balochistan is the acceptance of six point demands of Baloch people. Only then Baloch people can trust federation and come to negotiating table, he added. He was speaking at the launch of book organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Monday. The book titled "Balochistan: Azadi Sai Subai Bai-Ikhtiari Tak" was written by eminent writer and senior advisor SDPI, Ahmad Salim who has been conferred with Presidential Pride of Performance by Government of Pakistan and Bangladesh Freedom Award for his excellent contributions in the field of literature and human rights. The book is a complete political history of Balochistan, with analysis, copies of rare documents and compilation of events that shaped the Baloch history from independence of Pakistan to the recent events till February 2013. The event also featured a panel discussion on "Peace in Balochistan & the Role of Federation". Speaking at the occasion, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Chief, Balochistan National Party (BNP) and Former Chief Minister, Balochistan appreciated the book which according to him has truly documented the history of Balochistan. He was of the view that Balochistan was repeatedly invaded not only by military dictators but civilian democratic governments as well. Sardar Akhtar Mengal urged the need to change biased ‘thought process’ against Balochistan particularly in Punjab, which is bent over capturing resources and oppressing the dissenting voices. He also demanded that Baloch people must be given real power to use their land and resources. He was of the view that instead of addressing root cause of Balochistan problem, government is suggesting fancy projects for Balochistan to pacify people. He explained that operation is still in progress in parts of Balochistan and according to human rights report, in last 25 days of current government, 65 persons have gone missing while 13 mutilated bodies have been recovered. Abducting people and mutilating bodies, while calling for negotiation would not work anymore, he added. He said that Baloch people can only think to sitting at the negotiating table if their demands, as mentioned in six points, are accepted. He presented the six point’s demand of Baloch people, which according to him are under the constitution and essential to bring peace in Balochistan. He demanded that all military operations against the Baloch should immediately be suspended. He asked to produce all missing persons before a court of law. He condemned the killing of Baloch people and demanded to prosecute the persons responsible for inhuman torture, killing and dumping of dead bodies of the Baloch political leaders and activists. Sardar Akhtar Mengal also demanded to disband proxy death squads operating under the supervision of establishment in the province. He also called for giving complete freedom to political parties and rehabilitate thousands of displaced Baloch living in appalling condition. Sardar Akhtar Mengal criticised the recent election process in Pakistan and said that “It is unfortunate that even today, democracy in Pakistan is at behest of establishment." "Elections in Balochistan were not transparent and we experienced widespread interference, threats and rigging where the results were withheld from 3 to 18 days without any reason," he added. However, Sardar Akhtar Mengal showed his commitment to remain part of democratic process despite all injustice. It is now up to federation to demonstrate serious attitude otherwise it’s already too late to win over Baloch people. Speaking at the occasion, Ahmad Salim author of the book and senior advisor SDPI narrated brief history of federating units in Pakistan and said that unfortunately federation in Pakistan has a week grounding when some federating units at the time of independence had forced annexation including Qalat. Also the democratically elected provincial government in a smaller federating unit NWFP was toppled only after 7 days of independence on 22 August 1947. He said that dominance of Punjab over affairs of the country was established since then and continued till now which has weakened the federation in Pakistan. He was of the view that there is no doubt that resources of smaller provinces were misappropriated and time has come that Punjab play its positive role in addressing the concerns of Baloch brother and bring peace in the province. Jan Achakzai, Spokesperson, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F) said that Balochistan has been treated unfairly by the federal government and now the only way forward is through political realisation of actual problem especially at center. He argued that administrative and tactical action at provincial level may help a little but the real solution lies in ending state of denial and resorting to political coherence in Islamabad. I.A. Rehman, Secretary General, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that ironically, Balochistan and KPK have to face injustice from the very and federation showed a very irresponsible and insensitive behavior. He said that now a political solution is required and the new government must be very careful in selecting ministers who have the trust of Baloch people. Senior Political and Defence Analyst, Lt. Gen (Retd) Talat Masood, said that unfortunately till now, military was used by federation to counter insurgency, sectarian differences, political, social and economic problems in Balochistan instead of a political discourse. He said that geostrategic location and natural resources of Balochistan are a blessing and the only way to utilise these resources would be through bringing peace in Balochistan . Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Dr. Abid Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI said that Pakistani federation had failed to treat all unit with equity which has aggravated situation especially in Balochistan. He however showed satisfaction over the fact that BNP Mengall despite having serious reservation over 11 May elections is taking part in political process. He added that Balochistan has the worst situation in human development and added that sustainable peace not possible unless traditional paradigm of state security is reversed in favor of individual security particularly in Balochistan.
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