HYDERABAD: Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, the former chief minister of Balochistan and leader of the National Party (NP), said on Tuesday that even after the passage of the 18th constitutional amendment the Centre continued to encroach upon provincial subjects, adding that the country cannot have true democracy unless commoners from grass-roots level reached parliament.

He was addressing a Meet the Press programme of the Hyderabad Press Club and the High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Hyderabad chapter.

“The 18th amendment is not being implemented in true spirit,” he said, adding that all natural resources and property must be owned by federating units wherever they were located.

Likewise, he added, the ports of Karachi and Gwadar should be owned by provincial governments.

He said the NP supported the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, but urged the federal government to hand over the control of ports to provinces.

“In fact it is municipal authority that controls ports everywhere in the world,” he said, adding that Gawadar city must have its share in the port’s revenues besides Balochistan and the federal government.

Refugees

He said that of all the challenges being faced by the country, the most important was that of refugees.

“There is an onslaught of refugees,” Mr Baloch observed, adding that the refugee burden had created problems of national and economic nature. “They should now be immediately repatriated by the federal government.”

He told bar members that his dissenting notes in meetings of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) regarding census were on record.

“I opposed census as long as refugees are there in Balochistan,” he said, adding that previously they stayed in the country under the state’s policy, but now the policy had changed.

“Things are improving gradually,” he said.

Peace in Quetta

“When I took over as chief minister, the law and order situation was at its worst. Roads were not safe for people to travel and cases of kidnapping were rampant and insurgency was also at its peak,” he said.

The former Balochistan chief minister said he had made apolitical a “heavily politicised” police force.

“Even as chief minister, I didn’t make one single appointment or transfer, while budgetary allocation of Rs10 billion was made for police and Levies so that they could take care of themselves.”

In reply to a question, Mr Baloch said that since Balochistan was caught in a power game, things would take long to improve. “Conditions are not absolutely fine. Elements connected with India or Afghanistan can possibly be involved in Balochistan for their own vested interests.”

He said the education sector witnessed improvement and today the provincial Public Service Commission was “free of corruption”.

“Settlers who had left Quetta have returned and this city is witnessing brisk business activities,” he asserted.

“We talked to insurgents as well and a delegation of senior leaders talked to Brahamdagh Bugti and Khan of Kalat. They are now willing to talk and efforts are still under way to reach some amicable settlement with them [insurgents],” he said.

Regional peace

Referring to the regional situation, he said he favoured negotiations with neighbouring countries. “We need to take China, Iran, India and Afghanistan on board for peace and prosperity for every country of the region,” Mr Baloch said.

Published in Dawn October 19th, 2016