Situation vastly improved in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD

Security experts and regional analysts, closely following the developments in Balochistan, have categorically declared that the situation in the province greatly improved in 2015 over the last few years. As the year 2015 gives way to 2016, these experts are unanimous that the province is out of the woods and has finally turned the corner. The general malaise and confusion brought about by poor policies and violence have given way to greater hope.

“There is greater political stability, fewer gun and bomb attacks on the armed forces personnel and common people and greater sectarian harmony in the province,” said an analyst who pointed out that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor would be a game changer for the province, something the country had never witnessed before.

The experts have pointed out several factors that would continue to influence the future of the province.

First, the ownership of mega projects and provincial natural resources rests with the Baloch masses and the policy in the regard will continue.

Second, the foreign interference and trouble making, especially by India, in the province has been effectively countered by the FC, led by the Dr Abdul Malik’s government.

Third, like before, the future of Baloch youth will continue to be linked with education and those inspired by terrorists will have to say no to militancy. In this regard, the educational projects undertaken by the military in Balochistan recently include a college in Sui, Balochistan Public School in Sui, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences (QIMS), GIT (Gwadar Institute of Technology), Chamalang Beneficiary Education Programme (CBEP), BITE (Balochistan Institute of Technical Education) and Army Institute of Mineralogy (AIM) among others. The provincial government should take cue from these projects.

Fourth, the largest province Punjab has taken the lead over the other provinces in developing closer ties with the people of Balochistan in the recent years as seen by tours of Baloch students to Punjab, provision of educational facilities to Baloch students by the province, sustained concern shown by the Punjabi intelligentsia and journalists for the welfare of the common people in the province and their empowerment. This trend will continue to grow in 2016 and beyond.

Fifth, India’s efforts to fan terrorism, violence, militancy, linguistic hatred and inter-provincial disharmony to sabotage the CPEC project will have to be countered in the future also as was effectively done by Dr Abdul Malik’s government.

“We see 2016 as a much better year for the province with respect to peace, development and harmony if the government policies continue in the same direction as before,” an expert concluded.

For this, critical choices will have to be consistently made by our political leaders. They have to utilise people, resources and knowledge for building positive outcomes.