Shamsa Ashfaq
Of late Balochistan Assembly’s adaptation of a unanimous resolution condemning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged suppression of Human Rights (HR) in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) by Pakistan in his Independence Day speech has offended entire community of Hindutva supporters. There are certain quarters within India who claim that highlighting the violation of Human Rights by India is neither a “new’ development nor it has something to do with the unique Modi-factor, rather the Human Rights constituted an integral part of India’s foreign policy. Had history of India’s foreign policy been reflective of this claim one would have believed it. Ironically, India’s claimed approach towards Human Rights coincide with the aggravation of internal unrest or disturbances in Punjab, Indian occupied Kashmir, Northeast, coupled with Maoist violence and communal incidents.
There is nothing wrong to be vocal in advocating the cause of human rights but just a small reminder to Mr Modi that charity begins at home. As far as Balochistan and its people are concerned, they are happily a part of Pakistan. Within Baloch population there is no support with Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Republican Army (BRA).
Since the initiation of China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC), New Delhi is trying to dent it by internationalizing the fabricated issues like Balochistan getting disproportionately lowest chunk of the economic pie and the alleged atrocities of Pakistan Army and its Intelligence Agencies against people of Balochistan. Whereas, Pakistan fully realizes that its future lies in a happy and prosperous Balochistan and CPEC would be a game changer in the region. Since CPEC is going to immensely benefit Balochistan, therefore India is making all out efforts to create tactical and strategic hurdles against it. By extending support to Baloch dissidents, New Delhi is actually working against interests and future of the people of Balochistan. In last three decades, Balochistan has made tremendous progress and is opening up through infrastructural developments and major industrial projects. Gwadar deep-sea port, Kasa Hill Marble, Chamalang Coal Mines, Duki Coal Mines, Saindak Copper-Gold Mine, Coastal highway to Gwadar, Quetta-Gwadar road etc are a few projects that have placed the province on path of strategic development. Moreover, Pakistan Army is contributing in development of Balochistan by not only providing security to above mentioned projects but also being a major developer in shape of Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and National Logistics Cell (NLC). Not only this, Pakistan has also paid due attention to Human Resource Development in the province with active participation of Army, Navy and Air Force. These include CMH Quetta Medical College; host of new Cadet Colleges, Gwadar Technical Institute, FC Public Schools, Balochistan University of Information, Science and Technology (BUITMS), Cadet College Ormara etc. A large number of Baloch people joining Pakistan Defence Forces speak volumes of province’s love and affection for the country. Above-mentioned facts not only manifest the unison among all provinces of Pakistan but also substantiate Pakistan’s repeated claims of Indian interference into its territory. Undeniably, PM Modi’s comments on Balochistan are an attempt to divert Pakistan and the world’s attention from the tense situation prevailing in Kashmir. Global Times while analyzing the statement of Narendra Modi has rightly pointed out that Modi’s switching to hardline tone of hostility may only make it even trickier for India to find a resolution by deliberately expanding the range of bilateral conflicts. In a nutshell, New Delhi’s attempt, prior to 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit scheduled to be held in Pakistan this year, to break up the Indo-Pak impasse to see; what can be fished from the troubled waters. It will be the moral blow to India in the long-term when it tries to manage its own insurgencies and secessionist movements like Naxalites, Bodos, Nagas, ULFA ultras, Gorkhas etc operating across Indian Eastern Seaboard and Seven Sisters etc, which tend to invite International attention and intervention.
