|
| |
The Situation in Baluchistan
Written by Mr Boguslaw Rogalski, MEP
 The
situation in Baluchistan is becoming increasingly bitter since the
inception of Pakistan, Baluchistan has been a victim of vested interests
of Pakistani elites, that is, Punjabis. Baluchistan has enormous natural
wealth, which is being looted by the Punjabis of Pakistan in collaboration
with China. For the past more than 50 years, Pakistan military has been
sponsoring ruthless economic exploitation of Baluch people, most the who
live below poverty line, devoid of any basic facilities.
Time and again Baloch leader have tried hard to engage in dialogue with
the Pakistani rulers, but to no avail. Pakistan wants to keep Baluch
people as third class citizens. Pakistani army’s stranglehold can be
gauged from the fact that it has 69 para-military cantonments, 6 army
cantonments, 6 navel bases and three nuclear, biological and chemical
weapons testing facilities in Baluchistan.
The current army presence in Baluchistan is about 150 thousands and they
are engaged in a ruthless operation against Baluch people. The Pakistani
army is using brutal and inhuman methods to suppress the aspiration of
Baluch people. The deep-seated Baluch nationalism based on tribal identity
had international as well as domestic aspects. Divided in the nineteenth
century among Iran, Afghanistan and the British India, the Baluch found
their aspirations and traditional nomadic life frustrated by the presence
of national boundaries and the extension of central administration over
their land.
After demise of colonial rule in Asia and Africa, many new states were
borne with multi-national character where dominant nations persuaded their
policies of subjugation of smaller nations. Pakistan is one of such states
where the dominating nation of Punjabis has followed a policy of ruthless
oppression and suppression to colonize other nations in Pakistan,
particularly Baluchistan.
Pakistan is an artificial state perusing the policy of an artificial
Pakistani Nation based on religious fundamentalism, which is against the
secular norms of Baluch nation. The only viable solution for the Baluch
issue is allowing them to use right to self-determination.
On 17 December 2005, Pakistani Army launched an army operation against
innocent Marri Baloch people throughout Kohlu district parts of Dera
Bugti, Noshki, Makran district and other parts of Baluchistan.
More then thirty thousand army personnel twelve Gunship helicopters, four
fighter jets, several spy planes of different sizes, heavy artillery and
missiles are being used only in Talli, Bambore, Kahan, Jabbar, Nasau, Quat
Mundai and other parts of Marri area. Due to ten days of intensive bombing
and shelling by army jets, Gunship Helicopters and heavy artillery, at
least 86 confirm deaths and more 12 serious wounded have been reported.
Mostly victims are women and young children.
It is time for the international community to unite and stand up against
such atrocities by Punjabi Pakistan. Until and unless the Baluch people
get the help of the international community to put a leash on Pakistani
army, this slaughter of Baluch people will continue.
This article was published in “EP TODAY” the independent Monthly
Newspaper that keeps European Parliament and the World in touch, the only
special Newspaper where only the MEPs contribute. |
| |
| |
| |
|
