Balochistan: Silence of the courts

[pak-marine]

Balochistan: Silence of the courts


By Yunas Samad
Published: March 7, 2012

The writer is a professor at the University of Bradford


Balochistan has been burning in the background for sometime, but what made Congress — to the embarrassment of the State Department and the Government of Pakistan — take up this issue now? Some say this was just a stunt but there is a growing frustration in Washington that Pakistan is double-dealing with the US; taking substantial aid dollars and then pursuing a strategy in Afghanistan which is costing lives of US soldiers. American troops have now been in Afghanistan longer than the Vietnam War, and there is considerable unhappiness with Pakistan for the grief it has caused them and an increasing desire, in some quarters, to hit back.

What is interesting is that for the first time, the international community is now reflecting on the possibility of an independent Balochistan, is being sold to them as a package, which would break-up Iran and Pakistan and give over Gwadar as a facility for the US fleet. Let’s be clear that this is a minority view; it is more of an attempt to embarrass Pakistan, but such developments can generate their own momentum and with time become a reality. Who would have thought that South Sudan or East Timor would become independent states? But those who live by the sword die by the sword and, this could easily be applied to countries.

Pakistan of all countries should be familiar with this theme after resorting to military force to deny the Bangladeshi people their democratic rights. Military solutions to political problems results in disaster and invite foreign intervention and we are repeating these mistakes again in Balochistan. Failure to resolve the human rights situation is creating opportunities for foreign intervention. From the extrajudicial execution of Akbar Bugti to the deaths of activists (1,100 according to Human Rights Watch and 10,000 according to Baloch activists) and their torture and disappearances are — in eyes of those critical of Pakistan, evidence of — crimes against humanity. Pakistani generals were fortunate that they weren’t dragged into an international court and prosecuted for war crimes after the Bangladesh civil war, mainly because such bodies could not function during the Cold War. However, in the unipolar world of today, we have seen Ratko Mladic of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, President of Liberia, Charles Taylor and Nuon Chea, of the Khmer Rouge all end up in court to get their comeuppance.

Our political leaders are in a huddle, trying to figure out how to respond to the crisis in Balochistan; idle resolutions condemning foreign interference are being passed but our judiciary remains inactive and silent on this issue. It is tragic that our activist judges have not seen the abuse of fundamental rights in Balochistan to be given priority, particularly since the Baloch disappearance case was an important reason for the clash between former General Pervez Musharraf and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Why cases about presidential corruption are considered more important than cases of extrajudicial killings, torture and disappearances beats me? It only resonates with the Baloch nationalist argument that they are not treated like Pakistani citizens and hence, want independence, even if it means becoming a satellite of the US. The best possible response to the Congressional hearing is for the judiciary to demonstrate that it actively safeguards the fundamental rights of all the citizens of Pakistan.

The judiciary needs to investigate the killing of Akbar Bugti and if necessary charge Musharraf, reopen the case on disappearances and threaten contempt charges against the agencies for ignoring their orders. The Supreme Court cannot sit idle and ignore these issues by risking greater foreign interference in the matter. It needs to demonstrate to the Baloch people and the world that they are, in fact, citizens of Pakistan and their rights are protected.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2012.

 

[Areesh]

Another article among many written about Baluchistan with typical ignorance and too many flaws.

 

[53fd]

I think Express Tribune tries to find every flawed & incorrect anti-Pakistan article they can find on Balochistan, from unknown people. Sometimes it's hard to believe this is a Pakistani paper. When the Bugti people living in Pakistan shunned Brahamdagh in Switzerland, the Express Tribune did not even report the news. What a joke, a total disgrace of a paper!

 

[Areesh]

I think Express Tribune tries to find every flawed & incorrect article they can find on Balochistan. Sometimes it's hard to believe this is a Pakistani paper. When the Bugti people living in Pakistan shunned Brahamdagh in Switzerland, the Express Tribune did not even report the news. What a joke, a total disgrace of a paper!

Going by the literal definition of the word "newspaper" express tribune unfortunately in any way doesn't share it. What a shame.

 

[American Pakistani]

There are very few separatists in Balochistan(most people are fighting for their rights) but who ever are these separatists they can't acheive anything from fighting. Balochistan isn't going anywhere it is part of Pakistan. It is better for those separatists to ask the govt for talks & settlement.

It is soo sad that some people from 3 tribes in Balochistan had turned Balochistan to rubble in last 60+years. Still they are not ready to accept reality(that it is Pakistan's province) & throwing the innocent Pakistanis(People of Balochistan) to more destruction.

 

[Leader]

Another article among many written about Baluchistan with typical ignorance and too many flaws.

kindly point out. and secondly let us know when that particular situation arises, in which you think political maps of a state change?

 

[Doctor09]

Balochistan issue is not as simple as it looks . its a complicated matter . I know many people are missing but most of them involved in anti pak activities and foreign hands are also involved in destabilization of Balochistan . People said that dead bodies are being found in every day but tell me what about the dead bodies of punjabi professors , doctors and many others who got killed by BLA (terrorists) ?
why we dont talk about killings and kidnappings done by BLA ?
If few Balochi sardars (not all) want a solution of their problems then why did not they solved it when they were in Govt ? these sardars haves millions in their banks but they themselves did nothing for general balochi even they dont allow them to get education.
"BLA" the name speaks itself what it means and what their intentions and anyone with this intention is a traitor of this nation .

 

[Areesh]

kindly point out. and secondly let us know when that particular situation arises, in which you think political maps of a state change?

Would you change your views after I will point out the flaws and ignorance and lack of ground facts prevailing in this article? I think the answer is a big no. So why waste the forum space and your and my time. You won't answer to my posts and would start another thread about innocent balochs and human rights violations and missing persons and all such stuff. So let's leave it and agree to disagree.

 

[Leader]

Would you change your views after I will point out the flaws and ignorance and lack of ground facts prevailing in this article? I think the answer is a big no. So why waste the forum space and your and my time. You won't answer to my posts and would start another thread about innocent balochs and human rights violations and missing persons and all such stuff. So let's leave it and agree to disagree.

okay- as you wish...

but you can still elaborate the particular situation where state A, maybe in danger of losing its existing political map?

---------- Post added at 12:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 AM ----------

let it be for purely academic purpose.

 

[Areesh]

okay- as you wish...

but you can still elaborate the particular situation where state A, maybe in danger of losing its existing political map?

---------- Post added at 12:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 AM ----------

let it be for purely academic purpose.

If state A is Pakistan then nothing short of a war or most probably a nuclear war along with many other "things" would be required to chance the political map. This is the least price that can be paid for this change. The example of East timor or South Sudan with Baluchistan was also non realistic and flawed.

 

[Leader]

If state A is Pakistan then nothing short of a war or most probably a nuclear war along with many other "things" would be required to chance the political map. This is the least price that can be paid for this change. The example of East timor or South Sudan with Baluchistan was also non realistic and flawed.

and with soviet union dismemberment ?

in my humble opinion its the situation that decides what can be done, it maybe that not a single bullet is fired and everything is done peacefully ... say independence of Scotland (2013)

we can hardly fuel a war more than 4 days... #Think

---------- Post added at 12:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 AM ----------

International relations and wars, these are more strategic games than macho man tactics !!

 

[truthseer]

and with soviet union dismemberment ?

Soviet Union let those territories go because they wanted to focus on their economic problems.

 

[Areesh]

and with soviet union dismemberment ?

in my humble opinion its the situation that decides what can be done, it maybe that not a single bullet is fired and everything is done peacefully ... say independence of Scotland (2013)

we can hardly fuel a war more than 4 days... #Think

---------- Post added at 12:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 AM ----------

International relations and wars these are more strategic games than macho man tactics !!

Soviet Union example can't be applied to Pakistan due to different reasons. One of them being the huge cultural and religious differences. Certainly not the case viz a viz Pakistan and Baluchistan. Pakistan isn't going to let go off any of it's territory because of economic problems for sure. About Scotland we will believe it when we ill see it. I hope it happens though.

we can hardly fuel a war more than 4 days... #Think

Even someone like with all his weak force puled a months long resistance. So when it comes to survival of the state things work differently my dear.

International relations and wars these are more strategic games than macho man tactics !!

Obviously. Macho man tactics aren't going to work. But someone living in London and Switzerland needs to realize this. There is difference between the resistance a state can put and a group of rag tag fighters can put. LTTE is a shining example of such scenario. Nothing macho here. And states also know strategic games more than "freedom fighters" living in mountains or London anyways. You also realize that don't you?

 

[Leader]

^^ Its not between state and the people in mountains its about this state vs the enemy/interested states.

 

[Irfan Baloch]

Going by the literal definition of the word "newspaper" express tribune unfortunately in any way doesn't share it. What a shame.

I thought, for once maybe the article is about the unknown number of my Pashton, Punjabi, Sindhi, Hazara and Baloch brothers killed by the BLA with an added insult of justification of such killings by baloch sardars like Atta Ullah Mengal and Zain Bughti

but what a shame. it falls flat on its face yet again. while the nameless ordinary people in Balochistan are killed on their way to work or on construction sites in the name of Bigger American game... oh sorry I mean freedom.