People’s aspirations be discussed frankly, say speakers

Islamabad
Afrasiab Khattak from Awami National Party has said that Pakistan has evolved with autonomy debate producing some results and realising people’s aspirations which need to be discussed in a free and frank dialogue as honest debate is a key to solution.
Mr Khattak was addressing a seminar on “Social and economic disparities in Balochistan: a way forward” organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Monday.
Moazzam S Bhatti conducted the proceedings.
Afrasiab Khattak said that colonialism model used gun to impose national model. He said that the KP government was sacked from 1958-1963. He said that the Pakistan Movement was very popular in Bengal, but we challenged their language. He said that dissolution of Constituent Assembly in 1953 was the first coup staged by civil and military bureaucracy. He said people like Habib Jalib spoke but ruling elite was imposing its decisions.
Mr Khattak said he remained behind bars for seeking a name for NWFP and opposing the ideology of Pakistan which was not there during partition. He said there could have been diffusion in post-18th Amendment period, but civil government failed in direction. He said those responsible for disappearance must be punished. He said that weakening of Leftist movements further complicated the situation. He said that the State must recognise Pakistan as a multinational society.
Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur, who had participated in the nationalist struggle in 1972, said that he condemned killings of innocents. Referring to the claim that they know who killed them, he asked then why did you not stop them. He said amongst all provinces, Balochistan is lowest in development index. He said Dera Bugti is lowest in Human Development Index. Referring to the claim that Dera Bugti was “liberated” in 2006, he asked how many schools were built when no sardar was left to stop development schemes. Apart from food, dignity of life and honour is also required for life. He said rural poverty increased in Balochistan after 1999. He said that in a vehicle with only reverse gear, you cannot go forward.
Shafqat Kakakhel, Chairperson, Board of Governors, SDPI, in his vote of thanks, supported transparent, free and independent dialogue for solving issues Pakistan is facing. He said Baloch leadership tried to workout solutions in Pakistan, but we adopted the way of denial and violence. He said that we should say goodbye to past and start a new beginning based on equality, hope and prosperity.
Dr Abid Qayyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI, in his introductory remarks said that if ownership of natural resources is not given to the people living there, it would create political problems. What was the crime of daily wage labourers who were massacred in Turbet two days ago, he asked.
In the Question-Hour, the killing of non-Balochs, he observed that narrative of hatred is deliberately being Mr Talpur said that there was a window of opportunity when Ataullah Mengal was the chief minister in 1972, but it was closed.
In the slogans of shame shame, he condemned stopping of seminar on Balochistan in Lums.
A participant from Awami Workers Party said that Balochistan has lashkers of civilians which kill Balochs as well as settlers. He said that where a Constitution says Islam to be state religion, sectarianism cannot be finished.
A lady participant raised the plight of Hazara community which is not discussed in debates. A young participant said that instead of Pakistan, voice should be raised against the institutions responsible for the mess. Mr Talpur replying a question said that all Sardars, except one or two, are supporters of the government and establishment.