Balochistan News Letter – October 2012

A brief Talk of the Town Report compiled for those interested in Balochistan.

http://www.rifah.org/site/balochistan-news-letter-october-2012/

President Zardari - A Baloch who has turned out to be the most expensive accident of Pakistan's history with dire consequences for Balochistan

1.Law and Order Situation , 1- 4 Oct . A Levies man was killed and one wounded in Quetta by unidentified men. 8 men were killed in Hub. 3 trucks were attacked in Khuzdar. The CM announced as a rebuttal to Akhtar Mengal’s accusation, that the PA was not ‘true representative’ of Balochistan. Quetta-Karachi highway was blocked by truck drivers in protest against kidnappings of a few drivers for a day. Mineworkers stopped supply of coal from coalmines to the interior as a mark of protest against killings of their colleagues by militants. On 2 Oct, Dawn TV channel broadcast Brahmdagh Bugti speaking against Pakistan for an hour. Dunia TV and now Dawn news channel continue to be the mouthpiece of anti-Pakistan programmes. The two channels give get the ‘angry’ Baloch, who are actually the stooges of CIA/MI6, to pour venom against Pakistan while their role in criminal activities including target killing, bombing and laying mining in Balochistan does not even get a mention. Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, of PML (N) condemned the continued target killing in the province criticizing his party’s leaders and his political colleagues in Balochistan. Nawaz Sharif also criticized govt’s “ignorance on Balochistan”, even though every statement by him also betrays his ignorance of real facts about the province. While proceeding to Russia, the COAS announced “Army will support political process in Balochistan according to constitution”. Akhtar Mengal’s party BNP, while emphasizing the meaningless 6-points, declared they would not negotiate with Pakistan govt unless the UN was also present. The people keep hoping the Army will intervene to check corruption, lack of governance and rampant crime but it seems the Army is not prepared for it.

2.Flood Situation in Eastern/Southern Balochistan. The roads from Quetta to Dera Ghazi Khan and to Jacobabad were opened after 28 and 34 days respectively. Rehabilitation and flood relief efforts started by Army, FC and later the civil administration have been going on in Nasirabad, Jaffarabad and Jhal-Magsi areas. It took 28 days to open the road Quetta-Jacobabad and railway started operating after 35 days. Road Quetta-Dera Ghazi Khan also remained closed for 32 days. Sadiq Umrani, PPP Provincial President and a Minister, severely criticized the CM on 30 Oct, alleging that no flood relief was taking place due to gross corruption and CM’s neglect. He said that 1.5 million people were homeless, disease was spreading and govt was doing very little.

3. Hearing of Balochistan’s Anarchy Case by CJ of SC, 5-31 Oct. CJ heading a 3 member bench visited Quetta again on 5 Oct and resumed hearing of Balochistan’s anarchy case. In nearly 6 days he regularly criticized and humiliated, as before, the IGFC, IG Police and intelligence agencies which were represented now by a lawyer. He never called the Interior Minister Rehman Malik who kept saying he wanted to be heard, or the CM or any other minister. CJ kept repeating that the constitution will be upheld whether ‘heavens fall or mountains split’. After threatening to issue ‘an order’ several times, he did finally issue an interim-order which stated that both the Federal and Provincial governments had failed to discharge their duties according to the constitution and ordered some cosmetic actions like compensation, cancellation of permits given by intelligence agencies for use of non-custom paid vehicles etc. His focus remained on humiliating FC and intelligence agencies. Never once did he suggest dismissal of the provincial govt or advice to the federal govt to do so. In an Interim-Order on 11 Oct, he said the provincial govt had no constitutional authority to run the province and fixed 31 Oct as the next date for hearing. On this date, Federal govt did not respond. CJ has called for written replies from the CS to explain under what authority the provincial govt was being run. The Attorney General turned up when called and told the CJ that he had no powers to stop the provincial govt from functioning. The PM, the President and the Governor who have the power to dismiss the PA or change the CM, are quiet. The CM has twice called a cabinet meeting but ministers from his coalition parties did not turn up and he had to postpone it.

4. Law and Order Situation, 5-15 Oct. A govt servant belonging to Shia-Hazara community was gunned down near Kuchlak while two Punjabis were killed in Quetta city. No one was arrested. The CM denied that any military operation was being carried out in Balochistan. He stays in Islamabad and his statements are printed in local newspapers regularly. Two NATO containers were burnt near Mastung. A local Baloch of Khuzdar who worked for a private TV channel was gunned down by unknown persons, resulting in agitation by journalists. A 24 inch gas pipeline was blown near Jaffarabad. On 8 Oct, a bomb planted on a scooter exploded in the city injuring 16 persons including 4 policemen. A mother and son were killed in a landmine blast while walking on foot some 15 km from Sui. Landmines in Dera Bugti area are planted allegedly by Brahmdagh Bugti’s men. A senior medical officer of Khuzdar Hospital was gunned down while going to work; no one was arrested. In Khuzdar a turf war seems to be raging. 47 persons have been killed in about a month’s time. The contestants are not officially acknowledged but it is well known that it’s between Akhtar Mengal and Shafiq Mengal. A container was set on fire near Kalat. A Hindu businessman was killed in Mach. FC arrested 19 suspects who were in possession of arms and ammunition including bullet proof jackets and fake identity cards. On 10 Oct, MNAs from Balochistan demanded dissolution of the provincial assembly and imposing governor’s rule. The same day a bomb exploded in Sibi killing 11 persons and wounding 30 besides extensive damage to buildings and vehicles. Two men were wounded by gunshots in Mastung on 14 Oct. As the writ of the govt has eroded and courts are not delivering, old enmities are also now being settled freely. On 15 Oct, 7 persons were killed and 4 injured in a Pashtun tribal shootout to settle a land dispute near Kuchlak, 20 km away from Quetta.

5.PPP President Sadiq Umrani Demands Election for New CM, 15 Oct. Sadiq Umrani, a Minister since PPP came to power in March 2008, has demanded from the Governor that the CM be changed in view of the verdict by the SC that the provincial govt has failed in discharging its constitutional duties. He blamed the CM and the provincial govt for gross inefficiency and corruption. He called for ‘recovery of the Missing CM’, who remains in Islamabad or Dubai. Sadiq Umrani, however, did not resign as a Minister himself despite having been accused of being one of the several Ministers who sponsor kidnappings for ransom. His brother was caught holding an abducted person and had to pay reverse-ransom to the victims’ family. He is neither Mr. Clean nor willing to resign yet he demands CM’s replacement.

6. Law and Order Situation, 16-23 Oct. 4 Hazara-Shias and one volunteer for Polio Team were gunned down in Quetta on 16 Oct. The same day, an eye specialist was kidnapped for ransom. It was followed by agitation in the city. The same day 2 Pashtun labourers from KP, working near Turbat were gunned down by Baloch militants. A provincial ministers’ residence in Quetta was attacked by two militants in which the attackers and the security guard were killed. Mr Raisani, the CM, refuted allegations against his govt while still in Islamabad. His call on the President was given TV coverage while some political parties condemned his govt in line with SC’s Interim-Order. A man was killed on Sariab Road, Quetta on 17 Oct by militants. An anti-tank mine placed on road near Dera Bugti was disarmed by FC. On 19 Oct, two FC personnel were killed and ten others injured in a road side blast on Sariab Road, while one man was killed in Dera Bugti. A passenger wagon was looted in Noshki. The doctors’ strike to protest against the kidnapping of their colleague is continuing while the Govt has announced a bounty of 2.5 million rupees for the recovery of the doctor.

7.Balochistan HC Stops NAB Proceedings Against BPSC, 22 Oct. NAB had raided Balochistan Public Service Commission and discovered gross corruption/irregularities whereby a large number of candidates had been appointed without qualifications ignoring merit. 4 days later, the Balochistan High Court stopped NAB from investigations calling it illegal. It is rumoured that the wards/sons of two judges of HC are also the beneficiaries, hence the reaction of HC. This further erodes the faith in judiciary.

8.Law and Order Situation, 24-26 Oct. A police mobile was shot at in Sariab area injuring three. The HC ordered all wall-chalking in the city to be removed but the order has not been implemented. A businessman from Karachi was killed in Turbat on 24 Oct. Only the National Party of Hasil Bizenjo, who is a Brahui, protested against it. Posters appeared in Turbat and Mekran stating that the “Baloch are fed up from the exploitation by Brahuis and Pashtuns and want them out of Mekran”. This is the first time that the differences between Brahuis and Baloch and hatred against Pashtuns have been made public. Brahuis, which include Attaullah and his son Akhtar Mengal, have been claiming to be Baloch, which Baloch have not been contesting due to political reasons. However, they do have serious feuds amongst them. As a result of this internal strife, Khuzdar has almost remained shut down as killings and counter killings between the two Mengal groups go on. On 25 Oct, Commander Sothern Command, for the first time in several years addressed a tribal gathering of Pashtuns in Loralai along with IGFC and stated that foreign sponsored elements were creating law and order situation in Balochistan. All the local newspapers obediently, daily publish statements of these foreign-sponsored militants, although there is a HC injunction against it. The same day, two sons of a journalist were killed in Khuzdar by unknown persons.

9.Governor Chairs Meeting to Consider SC Interim-Order, 24 Oct. The Governor chaired a meeting attended by the CM (who returned from Islamabad after two months) the CS, Home Secretary and IG Police but most unusually Commander Southern Command along with IGFC and GOCs also attended. There were more officers in uniform in the meeting than in civvies. No minister was present. It was decided to appeal against the Interim-Order of the SC and generally improve the governance. After the 18th Amendment, the governor has no authority to arrange such meetings. The presence of Army brass and absence of ministers was a unique event during the last 5 years of ‘democracy’.

10.Law and Order Situation, 27-31 Oct. The Eid day passed peacefully, however, in the evening two men were killed in Sariab area. On 28 Oct, an Imam of a mosque was shot dead in Kalat. The same day CM called on Nawab Ayaz Jogizai in his town Qilla Saifullah. This is the first visit of this Brahui/Baloch CM to a Pashtun leader in last nearly 5 years. On 31 Oct one man each was gunned down in Hub and Mastung.

11.Aspirants for Caretaker Regime and Elections. Former public office holders, now sidelined both from the Pashtun and Baloch/Brahui tribes have started making aggressive statements to draw attention. The usually peaceful and quiet Jamalis and Jogizai in particular, have started giving statements to show their importance while Tallal Bugti, Akhtar Mengal and Bezanjo-men have increased daily statements and publications of their pictures in the papers. The Marri, Bugti agents of CIA/MI6 sitting abroad have also increased their subversive activities. The political scene is heating up and has the potential of increasing violence in the province.

Comments

The anarchy, killings, kidnappings and other crime continued during the month unabated. The bloody struggle between Akhtar and Shafiq Mengal’s groups in Khuzdar area has resulted in almost shutting down of the town. The administration and the police are hide rather than face them; many take long leave turn by turn. The flood havoc is slowly being addressed but the CM is being severely criticized for callous disinterest. The entire provincial assembly, all but two of whose members masquerade as ministers, remained absent from flood-relief efforts. PPP provincial party leader attacked the CM repeatedly, demanding fresh election for the slot of CM. The governance of the province seems to be now in the hands of thw bureaucracy. The CS and HS are generally visible holding meetings. IGFC is about the only govt functionary contradicting anti-Pakistan statements of foreign agents which appear in local papers daily.

Senior most officers of Army in the province have twice appeared on the scene during this month after an absence of nearly 5 years since this ‘democracy’ was restored, raising hope that the Army might intervene. Most citizens do want the Army to take over as they are fed up of this so called ‘democratic’ regime which is not only corrupt but has failed to ensure security of life and property.

The Interim-Order of SC is being ignored by the President, the PM and the Governor and ridiculed by the Attorney General. The 18th Amendment has given more autonomy to the provinces than their ability to handle. The abysmal lack of political maturity in the ruling elite, and democracy without opposition (in Baluchistan) is just not working in a tribal/feudal society where loyalty of opposition members is openly bought by the party in power.

President Zardari apparently wanted the province to become destabilized as he did not address the situation after his successful manoeuvre to set up a PPP led govt some 5 years ago. The Governor, presumably advised by the President, has asked the CM to file an appeal against the Interim-Order of SC, which he has not yet done.

The CJ gave a similar verdict on Sind last year. After that order, the Sindh govt continued as before without any improvement. In spite of his running about and constitution-upholding statements, the CJ of SC has lost his credibility here. His act, late by 4 years, focused only on Baloch/Brahuis and ignoring nearly 1800 Punjabis killed and over a million settlers forced to migrate. He has only been pressurizing and ridiculing the FC, the intelligence agencies and the army inhibiting them in their work. This is not viewed kindly by the majority in the province.

A new far reaching development is the conflict among Brahuis and between Baloch and Brahuis. It has come in the open in Mekran and the National Party of Hasil Bizenjo is being targeted for racial/ethnic reasons. In central Balochistan a bloody struggle between Shafiq Mengal and Akhtar Mengal, both Brahuis, is already raging. With the elections approaching, this has the potential of spreading in remaining Baloch/Brahuis areas.

Power struggle within the Marri and Bugti tribes is also continuing for the past five years. Sons and grandsons of Bugti and Marri sardars are engaged in a bloody fight for assuming power in their respective tribes. Jamoots, Jamalis and Magsis, the non-fighting types will have hard time to decide who they support. The lawlessness of last 5 years is going to hurt those responsible for governance. CM’s belated goodwill gestures towards Pashtuns is like clutching at the straws as he has lost all respect and is blamed for all that is wrong in governance.

The rule of Baloch/Brahuis (who are a minority in Balochistan) has been imposed by the federal govt on this multi racial, multi ethnic province. This has widened the gulf between racial/ethnic communities. The CM has been a total failure in uniting the tribes or to use the vastly increased funds from the federal govt for the benefit of the people. The Pashtun feel grossly aggrieved. The President and the PM are reported to be trying to appoint a Pashtun CM, but with elections being so near, there are no takers of the job. Having deliberately allowed Balochistan to slip into anarchy, the President will also have to pay for this failure.

There is a demand for governor’s Rule in Balochistan by the MNAs and general public but no member of the Provincial Assembly wants governor’s rule; most of them just want a new CM. None of the sitting MPAs can deliver as their credibility is lost. It appears well nigh impossible to find a governor who is competent, assertive, understands the situation, acceptable to all stakeholders and belongs to Balochistan. Had it been done 3-4 years ago, the province would have stabilized long ago. It seems, the status quo will continue with the federal govt trying to humiliate the CJ of SC by ignoring his orders and the Army looking the other way as it has done in last 5 years.

Through its absence from the scene, the Army has appeased the anti-state politicians but it is severally criticized for its apathy and allowing the present regime to systematically destroy every institution, concept of merit, justice, and law and order of Balochistan by denying succor and support to non-militants transcending ethnic identities. Emergence of Army commanders in last 10 days has given some hope to people that the province may still be retrieved, if only Army asserts itself.

The common desire of the people is that rather than elections, a caretaker setup be established under Army’s umbrella for a few years during which those responsible for corruption, lack of governance are dealt with and criminals punished. It is now widely believed that the politicians – all of them – are the main hurdle in the way of administration of justice and restoration of peace. The next elections – without a prior purge – would bring back the same faces in power who would continue the same games. The only people wanting election are the present beneficiaries, or those who did not take part in last election and are now impatient to reap the monetary benefits of ‘democracy’.++