Mohammad Jamil
The political, military and tribal leadership of Balochistan has resolved to continue joint efforts for peace and development in the province, and appealed to self-exiled Baloch leaders to return to the country to join mainstream politics to serve the people, if they are sincere to them. Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri, Southern Command Commander Lt. General Aamer Riaz, Sardar Aslam Bezenjo, Nawab Muhammad Khan Shahwani and Sardar Kamal Khan Bangulzai said this while addressing a public meeting held to observe the third death anniversary of Shohada-i-Zehri in Anjira area of the Khuzdar district on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Nawab Zehri said that so-called leaders of the province living in the UK and Switzerland had no mandate to decide the fate of Balochistan, adding that civil and military leadership was on the same page and was jointly working for a bright future of the people of the province.
A great majority of the people of Balochistan is patriotic Pakistanis, and they cannot be alienated from vital decision-making process as related to Pakistan as well as the province of Balochistan. The establishment of democratic government after May 11 elections was a good step forward, which is determined to resolve all issues faced by the province. It is indisputable fact that without peace, there could be no investment or development. During the last ten years, army has been on the forefront in the efforts to bring peace, stability and tranquility in Balochistan with the objective of development of the province. Unfortunately, Baloch youth, the jewel of human being, bubbling with enormous talent, vitality and energy, has been living suppressed in the captivity of the sardars. However, whenever he got the chance he turned out an acknowledged doctor, engineer, lawyer, civil servant, diplomat and general of sterling quality.
Various governments in the past, whether military or elected had appeased and mollycoddled illusive sardars, chieftains and local wielders who have been riding a rough shod over Baloch commoners, particularly youth. Billions of rupees were poured into the provincial treasury from the centre but one would not see any worthwhile project with first-class educational facilities in diverse fields and disciplines for the commoner Baloch youth, but those sums landed into the pockets of tribal sardars or were squandered. But now there is a dire need to restore the same for peace in Balochistan because it is a precondition for the progress and development of the province. Empowering Baloch leaders to manage the affairs of their own province will help remove the misunderstandings created by dissident sardars who propagate that Balochistan was coerced into joining Pakistan.
The fact of the matter is that it has been acknowledged by the UN and international community that Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan. It has the history of supporting Pakistan Resolution (1940), which envisaged creation of a separate homeland for Muslim majority areas of Indian sub-continent. Unfortunately, there were certain dissident elements who tried to poison the minds of innocent Baloch youth by distorting the history of Balochistan’s accession to Pakistan. In reality before the independence of Pakistan the territories now consolidated into the province of Balochistan did not constitute a settled province. Apart from Quetta District that was administrated under civil law, the rest of the territory was under Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR). Government of British India had constituted a special body of tribal elders known as “Shahi Jirga” for consultation by Assistant Governor General (AGG) on local issues relating British Balochistan.
On 29th June 1947 “Shahi Jirga” of British Balochistan as representative body of AGG along with elected members of Quetta Municipal Body unanimously passed a resolution of forming part of Pakistan. The State of Kalat had customary over-lordship on States of Kharan, Makran and Lasbela. As these three states decided to join Pakistan in March 1948, the Khan of Kalat (KoK) also acceded to Pakistan on 27th March 1948, which was his well-considered decision. Khan of Kalat’s brother having mustered support of about 130 tribesmen started insurgency in 1948, which never took off the ground, and the matter was brought under control. Former chief minister Dr. Abdul Malik had made serious efforts and formed committee to bring the self-exiled leaders into mainstream politics. Now the current Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri is also committed to move forward to unite the people to bring peace and prosperity to the Baloch people.
