(EDITORIAL) The visit of Mr. Jinnah to Baluchistan cannot fail to inspire the people of this unfortunate province with hopes of a better deal from the British Government. During the last several years the Muslim League has ceaselessly fought to secure for the Baluchistan people an equality of treatment with the other Provinces; but whenever the matter came up for discussion the British Government postponed the initiation of reforms in Baluchistan and preferred to continue the present semi-military administration of the Province.

Mr. Jinnah’s visit to this land of medieval feudalism has largely been actuated by his desire to acquire first-hand knowledge of the conditions obtaining in Baluchistan. The history of Baluchistan is the history of an autocratic regime which will remain an indelible blot on British administration in India. It is incredibly strange how in an age of progress and enlightenment the British Government have not deemed it advisable to introduce a modicum of democratic reforms in Baluchistan. Baluchistan came under British rule more than sixty years ago but the Province is still governed by Frontier Crimes Regulations…. But conditions have, fortunately, changed and there are unmistakable signs of an awakening among the people of this Province …

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2020