Daily Times editorial Nov 28, 2009

Bringing the estranged in from the cold

Perhaps the government is the only one ‘surprised’ by the strong reaction to the Balochistan package it unveiled before a joint session of parliament the other day. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani brushed away the criticism on the package in a press conference by saying that he is in contact with the estranged Baloch leaders in self-imposed exile and wanted a “meaningful” dialogue with them for the resolution of their problems, but within the ambit of the constitution. He clarified that the package was not up for approval by parliament. The purpose of presenting it to the joint session was to approach the highest forum for “fine-tuning”. He announced that a cabinet committee had been set up to expedite and monitor the implementation of the package. When the prime minister asserted that all stakeholders had been taken on board, some scepticism could be forgiven. Some Baloch nationalists have asserted that even the advice tendered by the Governor Balochistan was ignored. The prime minister went on to say that an establishment secretary had been appointed for Balochistan, who would oversee the recruitment of Baloch students and youth for the 5,000 jobs over and above Balochistan’s quota that form part of the package proposals. Mr Gilani did not mention, however, that one of the long standing complaints of the Baloch nationalists has been that the quota itself has never been filled. Whether this is because of paucity of skills in the province or other reasons, the government should first revisit the workings of the quota to see if that is being adhered to before it embarks on offering Baloch youth the 5,000 extra jobs promised.
The prime minister was not averse to the suggestion that Nawaz Sharif could play a mediatory role in bringing the estranged Baloch leaders in from the cold. On the issue of the limited amnesty announced in the package, which leaves out all those charged with terrorism or other heinous crimes (undefined), he hinted that talks could in principle take place even with such elements in the interests of finding a solution. He promised that some missing persons would start returning home.
Mr Gilani once again reiterated the government’s concern that the new Afghan policy imminently to be announced by the US should take on board Pakistan’s concerns regarding the possible influx of fighters from Afghanistan into Balochistan in the face of a troops surge.
If the prime minister is to be believed that he is in touch with the Baloch leaders in self-imposed exile, that is a hopeful sign. There has been criticism on the package that the government failed to consult these leaders and other nationalists inside the province. The prime minister seemed to imply that back channels existed and could prove useful in nudging things forward.
The consensus across the board that has emerged on the question of Balochistan can only be welcomed. In the past, narrow or uninformed views have coloured appreciation of the Baloch case. The first step was to come out of denial mode and recognize that the Baloch indeed had been hard done by since Pakistan came into being. , It is vital to Pakistan’s continued existence and progress that the estranged Baloch are given their day in the sun in a manner that applies healing balm to their wounds.