THIS is apropos of your editorial, ‘Balochistan Amnesty’ (Sept 12) which mainly focused on the amnesty plan for Balochistan.

Being Baloch, we thank you for highlighting the issue but, in fact, all these plans, apologies, all parties conference, ending of the concurrent list, massive uplift packages, postponement of cantonments, provincial autonomy are merely limited to the print and electronic media. And the new amnesty plan is also a part of the already repeated jokes.

The atrocities and injustice committed against the Baloch people cannot be removed by unimplemented plans and apologies. During the last 62 years the Baloch have been betrayed by the centre through various tactics. Leaving aside the past history of breaking promises and committing injustices after every apology, I would like to remind you of two new stories of these promises.

1. The negotiation which was held between Nawab Akbar Bugti and top leaders of the PMLQ in Dera Bugti ended with the assassination of Nawab Bugti.

2. When President Asif Zardari came to Quetta, he also apologised at a public meeting for previous atrocities committed against the Baloch, but after a few days three Baloch political workers, -- Ghulam Muhammad, Sher Muhammad and Lala Munir Baloch -- were killed near the Turbat area.

The history of persecution by the centre is too long that it has created a lack of trust among the Baloch people. There is a huge difference between the government’s announcements and intentions.

Unfortunately in Pakistan the authorities while concealing their own failures point their fingers at foreign agencies. The question arises: why are we providing an opportunity to these foreign elements. There is an urgent need to heal the wounds of Baloch people.

SYED KHAN BALOCH
Quetta
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