Pakistan: Writ Of Government Challenged – OpEd

Pakistan

By Shabbir H. Kazmi

After the general elections and forming of governments at federal and provincial levels, particularly in Baluchistan it was expected that the law and order situation in Pakistan would improve. However, it seems some external factors are adamant at plunging the country into anarchy and the game seems to have started in Baluchistan, where some groups are demanding for an independent greater Baluchistan and their movement is supported by certain groups from United States and Britain.

The three incidents taking place in Baluchistan — 1) blowing up of Ziarat Residency, 2) exploding bus carrying female students and 3) taking into siege Bolan Medical Complex — cannot be termed isolated acts of carnage, but part of some grand plan. Experts term these attacks as challenging the writ of newly installed federal and provincial governments.

Therefore, there is an immediate need to take a most stern action against the perpetrators. Even a cursory look at the events helps in identifying the culprits and their motives. The sole motive is to derail the process of integrating Balochs into mainstream politics of the country.

It is clear from the long history of rebel-government confrontation that some of quarters are trying to create a justification for a greater and independent Balochistan. It would comprise of one slice each taken from Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.

The only objective is to first create an independent, but extremely feeble country, and then to take control over its natural resources. In this endeavor the perpetrators are fully supported by regional and global super powers.

The attack at Ziarat Residency was aimed at demolishing a sign of federation but more importantly denounce Pakistan movement. It is clear that the perpetrators not only defying Pakistan but are the most ruthless people who have been fighting with Pakistan Army and also blaming it for the ‘sage of missing persons’. A question arises, if Army has killed the perpetrators, how many soldiers and officers were also martyred by them?

The attack on female students was solely aimed at shifting the focus from Ziarat Residency to Quetta killing. Some of the quarters are openly asking what is more important an old building or human lives? However, no one is demanding stern action against those who not only killed the students but also occupied Bolan Medical Complex.

The Quetta incidents seem similar to the attacked on a bus carrying Shias and then attack on Jinnah Hospital where the wounded were being given medical treatment. This gives a reason to believe that Quetta carnage was undertaken by those who were involved in Karachi massacre. Now Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has claimed responsibility of these attacks, they had also claimed responsibility of carnage in Karachi.

Some people have started talking about the killing of Sunnis in Quetta to portray the killers as Shias, to create rift between the two sects. This gives reason to suspect that the killing and siege was undertaken by the group (Jandullah) that claims to be fighting for the protection of interest of Balochs in Pakistan and rights of Sunnis in Iran. The time chosen was the day elections were being held in Iran.

While one can talk about many other conspiracy theories, one deserving immediate attention is the weakening of the present Government in Baluchistan, which mostly is comprised of elected members belonging to the middle class and not to the clan Sardars, as it used to be in the past.

Another theory is that the blasts and carnage are aimed at proving that conditions are not conducive for the construction of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. Those opposing this project want to pull Pakistan out of this project and also know that any unilateral decision by the Government of Pakistan would make it liable to pay damages to Iran for not meeting the contractual obligations.

Some of the cynics have been saying for ages that Sardars are the biggest exploiters of Baloch. However, to save their skin they portray that federation as usurping rights of Baloch. Ironically, ordinary persons living under the most inhuman conditions are mesmerized by this mantra.

Though, it is difficult to say that the Baloch Liberation Army has conducted the terrorist attacks, or are charges being framed against it. However, neither the Government of Pakistan nor the ordinary person should forget that rebel groups are being supported around the globe by those who wish to create their hegemony in the region, and Pakistan is not an exception.