KARACHI: Nationalistic feelings of being degenerated into minority in their own homeland is one of the causes of unrest in Balochistan. This, however, may not be the core issue, at least for now. Balochistan is a mix of different nationalities, top among them are Balochs, which are around 50 per cent then come Pashtoons with 40 per cent and 10 per cent are the rest.

The nationalist leaders oppose mega projects as they feel that ‘doling out’ of plots to non-locals will affect the demography of the province that has already been shared by comparatively more prosperous people from other parts of the country and Afghanistan. The perception is not baseless. In Sindh the locals had to suffer when their rural and urban land went to outsiders at throw-away prices. They have the Sindh situation in their mind that is why they feel threatened of being turned into minority.

In a recent meeting, the youth of Balochistan were of the concerted view that they would not let the ‘outsiders’ to occupy their land. They termed the allotment of lands, particularly in Gwadar, to non-locals a conspiracy aimed at red-indianizing them.

But most legal experts contacted by Dawn to seek thair comments on the issue hold a different view. They support the legal provision that grants this right to all Pakistanis with a national identity card and domicile certificate to sell or purchase land in any part of the country. “There is no restriction whatsoever”, says a legal expert associated with Hussain and Haider Associates.

But a recent move of Gwadar Development Authority cancelling a scheme initiated by the district government has given weight to the fears of locals.

A leader of Balochistan National Party, Shakeel Ahmed Baloch, said the government had allotted 120-200 yards plots in New Town Housing Scheme to poor fishermen and teachers. But, for unknown reasons, all the allotments were cancelled. He alleged the move is aimed at replacing local Baloch with influential non-locals. He said Revenue and Settlement Department had also allotted lands to non-locals in various parts of Gwadar and in Singhar Housing Schemes.

When contacted on telephone, assistant director, environment, Gwadar Development Authority, Aslam Kethran said since rules were not followed in allotments of land in New Town Schemes that is why they were cancelled. The plots were allotted by the Nazim and, as per rules, the District Coordination Officer was supposed to do the job.

He said in all 27 schemes of 200 to 500 acres land were approved, and the plots were allotted to locals. When asked that it is blamed that plots were being given away to non-locals, he said “the GDA has nothing to do with plots being given away to outsiders by the locals.”