Others taking notice of Balochistan but not we

The hearing by the US Congress Foreign Affairs Committee on the situation in Balochistan is both optimistic and cynical. While the part of the Foreign Office to convey Pakistan’s concerns over the issue are quite understandable.

The positive thing is that the hearing over the state’s violations of human rights in Balochistan, which generally have been ignored by the international community, will open the prospect of a much-needed change in policy.

However, the abrupt concern by some members the US Congress about the area could be part of larger strategic concerns rather than with human rights.

At the same time, it would not serve the US if the Congress is witnessed to be supportive of any possible move aimed at the Balkanization of the country. Indeed, it would further strengthen the view that foreign countries are interfering in Balochistan.

The US has always been suspicious of Chinese venture in the region, including their investment in the port of Gwadar and the Pakistan’s energy zone. Furthermore, the proposed gas pipeline from Iran is also supposed to run through the province.

Apart from the awkwardness caused to the federal government by the hearing having taken place, it may explain the Foreign Office’s denouncement. Considering the sensitively of the issue, the US State Department distanced itself saying that the hearing did not reflect the policy of the American government.

However, the mere reality that the US Congress saw fit to conduct such sitting indicates just how dire the situation in the province really is. Activists of the human rights applauded the committee of the violations taking place in the region.

An official of the Amnesty International sought Leahy Amendment to be applied to all military units operating in the province. It is usually applied to security assistance programmes to put off foreign help from being used to further human rights violations.

The attitude of burying the head in the sand will lead to serious aftermaths. It is not enough on the part of the security institutions to deny their involvement. But at the same time, interference of foreign hands in our internal affairs cannot be permitted.

The best way to give response to the US Congress hearing is to factor in the wishes of the local people by changing existing policy on Balochistan. It will ensure that the situation improves and separatist feelings are quenched.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=12419

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Feb 11 2012. Filed under National, Opinion, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.