September 12, 2006	Tuesday	Sha'aban 18, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: Speakers at a seminar here on Monday expressed their concerns over the dangerous situation that has emerged in Balochistan after the “brutal” killing of veteran political leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, and demanded an immediate end to military operation in the province.

Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) had organised the seminar on “Balochistan Crisis: A Civil Society Perspective”, in which speakers also demanded the release of political prisoners and nationalists.

Karamat Ali from the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education Research (PILER) said real provincial autonomy was the only solution to the ills of Balochistan.

Besides abolishing the concurrent list, he said the issue of distribution of resources on population basis should also be resolved with the provinces in a political manner by involving all stakeholders.

Nawab Bugti occupied some important political positions such as that of the federal minister, governor and chief minister and his killing had further deteriorated the already volatile law and order situation, he observed.

Mr Ali said the establishment - military and civil bureaucracy and feudal - had deprived the nation not only of their sovereignty and independence but also of their constitutional rights.

He said Akbar Bugti had always enjoyed good relations with the establishment and supported the federation. But, his assassination in such circumstances would lead to horrendous repercussions for the whole country.

During the present military rule, he added, provincial autonomy and national cohesion were at the lowest ebb. And, if corrective measures were not taken on time, the country could face the 1971 situation again.

He endorsed the demand of some nationalists to divide Punjab into three provinces — Potohar, Seraiki and Punjab.

Analysing the recent images and news articles on Balochistan, Dr Rubina Saigol, country representative of Actionaid Pakistan, said the process of myth-making was underway. Sardar Bugti has being transformed from a disillusioned politician of a disaffected province into a mythological figure of heroic proportions.

She lamented that the critical role of the ruling elite and military had pushed Pakistanis to an alarming situation and they were living under circumstances of uncertainty.

Harris Khalique, chief executive of Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO), said the issue was not of Punjab versus the rest of the provinces but the state versus citizens. He said Bugti was first pushed to the wall and then eliminated. The federation had failed as the state had failed to deliver.

He said it was the Pakistani state, which made Sardars, Waderas and Khans powerful. The state made them collaborators and nurtured and strengthened them.

He advocated pro-poor growth and environment-friendly development. He said enforcement of socialist system was the best solution to our problems.