There has been rumors of how the demand for army control in Quetta might have been formulated as part of a pressure tactic. That is why the dharna leaders discounted this one demand, while others were approved.
There were also outspoken and dissenting voices from within the main dharna. Tahir Khan Hazara, a senior politician who resigned from the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in 2007, strongly criticized the army for its decades-long affair with non-state jihadist/sectarian outfits ranging from Lashkar-e-Jhangvi to the so-called ‘Good Taliban’. The HDP, a secular nationalist party, distanced itself from the main dharna, and from any demand that invited the army to run Balochistan’s affairs. Instead, the HDP went on a separate three-day hunger strike with a demand to replace the Raisani cabinet by an interim cabinet based on a consensus between Balochistan’s political forces. The strongest critique against the army came from a low-profile leftist youth group: the Hazara Youth International (HYI). The HYI directly held the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistan Army responsible for the carnage not only in Quetta, but across Pakistan. The pamphlets distributed by the HYI mocked the controversial demand set forth by the QYC, and argued that the demand ‘invited the killers to protect (the people)’. As an alternative, the HYI demanded neutral international organizations and the United Nations Organization (UNO) to take action in Balochistan. The HDP and QYC, however, agreed that the Pakistan Army should launch a targeted operation against the LeJ, since the police clearly did not have the required strength and resources to eliminate them. A common and valid question that resonated through the minds of all sitting protestors was: “Why are Baloch nationalists abducted, tortured, killed and dumped while not a single LeJ terrorist has received any punishment?”
While they maintain great respect and concern for the Hazara community, observers and analysts have expressed increasing dissatisfaction with the imposition of Governor’s rule, and the army’s increased role in Balochistan. Nationalists, leftists and even laymen with information of the past 30 years know that our army has, more often, been part of the problem rather than the solution. This is no exaggeration in Balochistan. Hazaras, however, rightly retort by asking the critical non-wardiwalas what they recommend instead.
From where I stand, there is only one way forward: genuine representatives of the people of Balochistan should be entrusted and allowed to run the affairs of Balochistan. More than anyone else, it is these representatives who have a genuine stake and an honest attachment with the poor masses.
This is not akin to saying ‘bring back the Sardars’. Anyone who knows anything about Balochistan knows that more than any others, Wardi-walas are in love with Pagri-walas. The ‘three separatist Sardars’, as coined by Gen. Musharraf, are mere exceptions.
The secular-nationalist as well as democratic forces–with the likes of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), HDP, Awami National Party (ANP), National Party (NP), among others–only can save Balochistan. In order to do so, however, they must stand together. What is most frustrating is the ever-widening gap of communication–let aside cooperation–between different secular and nationalist bodies. The Baloch have been left alone in their dangerous war against the military, while the Hazaras have been left at the mercy of the LeJ and fellow killer squads. Nobody extends compassion to the other persons’ war.
Following the imposition of governor’s rule, Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F)–the Islamist party that holds the speaker’s chair in the provincial assembly–is now demanding the decision to be reversed. Baloch and Pashtuns are increasingly expressing their concerns with the governor rule. A single lesson that we must learn from this episode is that pains and cures of the peoples of Balochistan are not isolated. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
It has been two weeks since Governor Magsi took the reigns of power in Balochistan. What has happened, and what will happen? If the democratic forces do not cooperate across ethnic lines, the vacuum will be filled by yet another Raisani. Governor’s rule or Raisani’s rule, the poor people of Balochistan remain uncertain of their tomorrow in the absence of any pragmatic alliance of those who are the democratic representatives of their people.
Sajjad Hussain Changezi is an engineer by profession and a student of Peace & Conflict Studies by choice. He was born and raised on Alamdaar Road in Quetta.
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[…] The result? Governor’s rule. Malik Siraj Akbar and Sajjad Hussain Changezi discuss the aftermath. Ziyad Faisal considers the politics of another protest: the Tahir ul-Qadri march on […]
Why are we so naive to expect the Baluch or Pushton to be secular just like a few bunch of Hazaras like HDP in a province where majority of these people have a strong religious affiliation one way or an other with Al queda and Talibans. Similarly Lashkar jahangvi who are purely Baluchis and Pushtons. The great example is the survey of pew an international organisation where it showed more than 95% of the people in Pakistan have soft corner for Al quedas and taliban. Now to expect from Baluchis and Pushtons to be secular is being an ostrich in hiding his dead in desert.
Yes, Baluch used to communist influenced and secular in 70s or 80’s.
Thanks
It is a wonderful elaboration of the matter by brother Sajjad Hussain. I am happy 2 see a wonderful perspective given by him that is that Balochistan government should come under liberal political parties like Pashtunkhua, BNP n HDP. They r the real stakeholders no doubt. Keet it up bro.
It is a wonderful elaboration of the matter by brother Sajjad Hussain. I am happy 2 see a wonderful perspective given by him that is that Balochistan government should come under liberal political parties like Pashtunkhua, BNP n HDP. They r the real stakeholders no doubt. Keet it up bro…
[…] From where I stand, there is only one way forward: genuine representatives of the people of Balochistan should be entrusted and allowed to run the affairs of Balochistan. More than anyone else, it is these representatives who have a genuine stake and an honest attachment with the poor masses. (Sajjad Hussain Changezi) More here. […]