QUETTA: Balochistan, the largest yet most neglected province of the country, has a more cynical take on various national and regional issues; be it a democratic government or a dictatorship. This is an unfortunate outcome of the dark decades of disregard that stunted its growth and instilled a deep sense of deprivation amongst Baloch people.

This supposedly prodigal province has not felt much for either elected or military governments as both have initiated military operations in this region. Although its leadership and people have fiercely resisted military dictatorships, they have never earned much favour with democratic setups.

The first elected government of Balochistan, headed by Sardar Ataullah Mengal, was removed by the then elected Prime Minister Zulfiqar Bhutto who launched military operation with around 80,000 troops. This resulted in more alienation. In the late 70s, Hub industrial estate, 20 kms away from Karachi, was established by the same Bhutto government where Karachi-based industrialists thronged to put up industries, hardly a handful benefited from Balochistan.

Therefore, some industrialists argue that military governments have done more for industrialisation of the country by providing an environment conducive to industry. This is largely attributed to the fact that they are quicker at taking decisions and implementing policies. However, there are others who still support democracy and believe that during military governments, people avoid investing capital and prefer not to expand their businesses.

Business leader and former vice president of FPCCI from Balochistan, Sardar Mohammad Jogezai, says he is not against democratic governments and elections, but the fact that a military dictator plays an important role in the industrial development of Pakistan cannot be denied.

Jogezai speaks of Karachi which was developed as an industrial city during a military government. “All big dams were constructed during General Ayub Khan’s tenure. General Rahimuddin, although a military governor, launched the highest number of development projects in Balochistan and now all mega projects were launched by General Musharraf.”

He insists that all political governments which came into power through elections failed to create political stability in the country which in turn harmed industrialisation.

An economic analyst, Sardar Shaukat Aziz Popalzai who is also President of Balochistan Economic Forum, has a cut and dried approach. “Industrialists always sit on the receiving end, and their desires can only be fulfilled by military governments. Democracy does not suit them as they believe in ‘save time, save the money’ concept, he says.

Popalzai is also clearly averse to wider participation. He feels that in military governments decisions are taken by fewer people who can be influenced by industrialists. Elected governments, however, are more collective in nature. “But industrialists fully support political parties and finance them so that they have power over them.”

The former President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Fazal-ur-Rehman Dittu, is from another camp that strongly supports elections. “There is a big difference between military and a civilian elected government and democracy is better than dictatorship,” he says.

“Military rulers impose their will on people and think that they are not answerable to anybody. Their governments also serve interests of a few people,” maintains Dittu, adding democratic governments are more likely to take decisions in the larger interest of the people as they are answerable to electorates.

However, he feels that military regimes provide peace and order necessary for industrialisation.

The president of traders’ organisation, Abdul Rahim Kakar, is with Dittu, saying that military governments represent a particular group while elected governments represent a majority. “Elected governments are approachable and people bring their money in the market for investment,” he says.

Aside from the major players, small traders stand behind elected governments in the country. “In democratic governments, people do not hide their money and invest in projects. They launch development projects that create circulation of capital and increase the purchasing power of masses,” says Nasir Qadir, a leader of small traders.

However, many businessmen and traders assert that as businessmen they want to steer clear of politics. Although military governments affect their businesses, elected governments, such as PPP and PML-N, have not been devoid of disappointments either.“In this situation, we do not feel any difference between military and elected governments,” says Jamil Bukhari who owns a shoe shop in Quetta.