THIS refers to the article ‘When words won’t work’ (Feb 18) by Abbas Nasir. The writer has attempted to shed light on the burning issue of Balochistan, raising a few points that raise more questions.

He has put the onus for the Balochistan issue on the military only, without considering political factors. This makes it a biased analysis. If, according to the writer, the military is responsible for this anarchy and the government has acquiesced in and endorsed its hardline policy, then shouldn’t this government quit? If a government does not have the guts to make secret agencies answerable to it, then does it have any right to govern?

We often forget the fact that besides the military rulers it has been civilian governments that have launched military operations against the Baloch. The perfect example is that of Zulfikar Bhutto who, despite being a champion of democracy and human rights, ordered the army to launch an operation against Baloch insurgents in 1973.

It had started when the National Awami Party demanded more representation for the Baloch in the government -- an idea not liked by Bhutto who dismissed the Balochistan government, imposing the governor’s rule.

And now under another civilian (PPP) government we are going through these most turbulent times with Baloch separatists openly asking for independence while US Congressmen suggested an independent Balochistan owing to the USA’s vested interest in the resource - rich and strategically important region.

We must understand that in this chaos glorifying the tribal chieftains who are asking for independence so vociferously now would not solve the problem. These sardars are neither the true leaders of the oppressed Baloch people nor are they the ones who should be given incentives.

Had these chieftains been our true leaders, the ordinary Baloch would then have not been killed by landmines and improvised explosive devices planted by insurgents. Agencies are involved in killing the Baloch. This is deplorable. But what about ethnic cleansing of non-Baloch communities, sectarian killings, and explosions at gas installations and railway lines in Balochistan?

Following the US congressional hearing on Balochistan, Rehman Malik announced the government would withdraw the cases against Baloch sardars who have openly requested ‘help’ from the US, Nato, India and Afghanistan. Isn’t this treason?

What good can we achieve by giving amnesty to these ‘leaders’ who are living in self-exile in luxury villas, while Baloch people are being brutally murdered here?

We must understand that the return of these chieftains will not alleviate the pangs of hunger of the poor Baloch. They will remain oppressed under the sardars with a constant fear of being put into private jails on any pretext.

It is time the government talked to saner Baloch political elements and the deprived masses that are ready to talk unlike the extremists. We need changes in Balochistan on a mass scale, not half-hearted paying of lip-service. Balochistan must be developed on a war footing in every sector, matching the other three provinces. Groups with vested interests will keep on exploiting the deprivation of the Baloch.

JAHANZAIB BALOCH Quetta

Rule of sardars

THIS is apropos of the telephonic press conference by Brahamdagh Bugti at the Quetta Press Club on Feb 22. “America must intervene in Balochistan and stop the ethnic cleansing of Baloch people. We would also welcome Indian intervention,” stated Brahamdagh as the media listened with rapt attention to the 30-year-old Baloch separatist leader who spoke from an undisclosed location in the country of his exile.

Whatever the reasons, does it suit Baloch honour and pride to invite another nation, including neighbouring India, to step into their land and help them against their own brothers and even Baloch people sitting at the centre in various capacities either in the ministries or within the military?

Would the Baloch people, their mothers, sisters, wives and daughters feel comfortable with the presence of Indians and Americans in their midst? As I know, our Baloch culture does not permit our women to come in the open for years.

A girl who takes refuge in a Nawab’s haveli for social reasons never comes out in the open until her death. Hardly a woman is allowed to take a bath in months. Even men are not allowed to work hard enough to increase their business. They are restricted to making earnings that can meet their day to day expenses.

Sardars do not allow young people to ride even a motorcycle lest they go far and someone infuses in them awareness against their rule.

I believe Brahamdagh’s call for foreign intervention is not only unusual and against the Baloch pride and honour, but also on the lines of the foreign countries’ agenda to which he maybe a tool.

It is important to end the issue of missing persons, forced disappearances and targeted killings, but it is also important to play the part of our role as a government, as a civil administration and society in the province.

Why hasn’t the civil dispensation in Quetta called the session of provincial assembly so far to at least condemn the US congressional hearing? Where has gone the political leadership here? Who has created a wider gap and vacuum on the political front here?

This we have to realise if the Frontier Corps is called to barracks who will replace it: the police or Levies? Both are under sardars’ control who use them for their own purposes. They are considered as sardars’ private armies. With their help they continue smuggling and other illegal businesses.

The writ of the state is always missing because the people at the helm of affairs and those who call the shots are not willing to give peace a chance.

Another point is that sardars are threatened by youths under Dr Allah Nazar and other leaders who do not care for sardars.

The youths spearheading the uprising are mostly unknown and a number of new faces are seen among their ranks who seem to be aliens. We the people here in Balochistan would prefer to have freedom from the clutches of sardars and those playing in the hands of enemies, not an independence from Pakistan.

IMRAN JAMALI Dera Rojhan Jamali