Two recent incidents in Baluchistan rocked Pakistan. The
first; bomb explosion at the residency of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in
Ziarat that destroyed the historical monument. A policeman outside the residency was also
killed. According to reports memorial chairs, beds, and historic photographs of
the founder were burnt to the ground in the resulting fire. Only the exterior
structure remained intact while the terrorists escaped unhurt. Interior
Minister Chaudhry Nisar revealed that the residency had been attacked by five
militants, who had removed the Pakistan flag and raised the BLA flag in its
place. The Baluch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group, is
fighting for separation of resource-rich Baluchistan; many of its purported leaders
living abroad. Baluchistan Liberation Army was declared a terrorist
organization in Pakistan in April 2006, after a series of attacks conducted by
the group targeting security personnel, civilians and journalists. On 17 July
2006 the government of the United Kingdom listed the BLA as a terrorist outfit and
banned their members from the UK.
This latest strike was "symbolic terrorism', an effort to
eradicate our identity and roots. It has hit at the very base, arousing anguish
and rage beyond measure in the hearts of the countrymen.
The second act of terrorism was multiple bomb and gun
attacks by militants in which at least 23 people, including 14 female students
and the deputy commissioner Quetta, were killed. Some reports place the total dead
at 25.The suicide bombing devoured a bus carrying female students. At least 11
students died while 19 were rushed in emergency to Bolan Medical Complex, hurt.
Another blast, this time at the Bolan Medical Complex, reportedly killed 11
more. This was followed by a hostage crisis at the hospital. Four FC
commandants also lost their lives in the shootout that ensued. This heinous act
of crime was owned by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, as retribution for five killed in the
Kharotabad Attack on 6th of June 2013.
The Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group was in fact created, according
to the BBC, to counter Iran's Islamic Revolution in the 1980"-s. (Published
January 11, 2013) Pakistan's Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, as well as the infamous
Lashkar-e-Taiba that carried out the 2008 Mumbai, India attack killing over
160, both are affiliates of Al Qaeda, and both have been linked financially,
directly to Saudi Arabia. In the Guardian's article, "WikiLeaks cables portray
Saudi Arabia as a cash machine for terrorists," the US State Department even
acknowledges that Saudi Arabia is indeed funding terrorism in Pakistan. (Tony
Cartalucci in "Global Research' Feb. 18, 2013)
Jonathan Manthorpe, in his piece states, "In 2003, a United
States Senate committee on terrorism heard testimony that in the previous 20
years Saudi Arabia had spent $87 billion on promoting Wahhabism worldwide. This
included financing 210 Islamic centers, 1,500 mosques, 202 colleges and 2,000
madrassas." (Published Vancouver Sun, May 28, 2013)
The fact that the presence of Gwadar and China's strong
commitment to the port along with the proposed Iran-Pak gas line in the
province are major irritants for those having an interest in the region.
"Baluchistan has become a playground for international
forces Pakistan should foremost take Baluch people into confidence and build
bridges with aggrieved parties offering them a package within the federal
scheme of Pakistan that addresses their concerns," says Raza Rumi; analyst and
writer. His tweet of 15th June says, "Hope the new government
realizes that it has to deal with 'favored' proxies who operate with impunity
everywhere. Militant groups free to strike."
However, there are those who would definitely not agree with
this thought process. Whether BLA, or LeJ or any other organization, they feel
strongly about entering into a dialogue with a party or organization bent on
destruction of Pakistan. The opinion is; when proxy wars are fought, no matter
what you offer, is not enough. It's never enough. The stakes are much higher.
They do not want a slice of the pie. They want "the' pie-the only option
therefore is to fight them.
A strategy must be developed in the best interest of the
nation. All effort must be put on board to resolve issues, bring harmony
between different groups of people, peace above all and prosperity. "More than
anything Baluchistan requires a system of deliverance in tangible terms with
political ownership." (Special Baluchistan Report-Feb 2012) Any strategy to
succeed in addressing terrorism must have the government and army of Pakistan
on the same page.
In order to tighten the law and order situation in
Baluchistan, one step that the government must immediately look into is the
reinstatement of awarding the status of "A' Area (police responsibility) to
Baluchistan. This was instituted by the government of Gen. Musharraf for entire
Baluchistan. Later, it was reverted to "B' Area (Lavies responsibility-instead
of police and appointed by the Sardars) for almost ninety five percent of the
province. The present system offers no checks and balances. The "security
personnel' are appointed by the local Sardars whereas the government funds them
for it. At best, it's a loose system of trying to manage law and order and
makes it easier for those who are involved in nefarious activities to find
loopholes in the system. In a volatile situation that exists in Baluchistan, a
vigilant, professional system must be in place.A daunting task; dealing with
different groups with different interests, however the government must rise to
the challenge. It has no other option.
The
writer is a lawyer, academic and political analyst. She has authored a book, "A
Comparative Analysis of Media and Media Laws in Pakistan.'
