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We have every right to protest to the US on these unsavory acts in US Congress and could also keep arguing, who gave the right to the US Congress’s Committee on Foreign Affairs to discuss human rights situation in Balochistan, but that will not serve any purpose. The problem will not end just by making noises. Neither an exaggerated sense of anxiety nor an ostrich-like approach will do. We need to do some real soul-searching. Instead of always blaming others for our problems or continuously agonising with imaginary fears, we must behave like a mature and responsible nation capable of taking care of itself.
The sharp reaction in Pakistan over Congressional anti-Pakistan slur in the context of Balochistan is understandable. The government and the people are furious that within a week after the controversial hearing on Balochistan in the House Sub-Committee on Foreign Relations, a handful of misguided if not mischievous Congressmen have now crossed all limits by moving a resolution in the US House of Representatives that calls for giving ‘right of self-determination’ to Baloch people. There could not be more unabashed example of double standards and blatant violation of global norms of inter-state relations and decency.
These provocative gestures from Washington have aroused deep anger and frustration at all levels in Pakistan. Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, condemned this move as an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty. The Foreign Office spokesperson described it as ‘clear interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs’ and a ‘violation’ of international law. Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, derided this tendentious and ill-designed resolution as an ‘unfriendly and irresponsible’ act based on ignorance and lack of understanding by a few individuals in Washington, which she hoped will not pass in the House of Representatives where, according to her, the overwhelming majority respected Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The only silver lining in this grim scenario is a statement issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad affirming that Balochistan is Pakistan’s internal issue and that US respects latter’s sovereignty. The statement also clarified that the US supports human rights across the world implying one should not be overly concerned. The US State Department on its part also distanced itself from the controversial initiatives in the Congress while urging the need for all the parties in Balochistan to resolve their differences through peaceful means and for Pakistan to “really lead and conduct a dialogue that takes the Balochistan issue forward.” This is a sound advice no matter where it originates from. In today’s world, all problems, intra-state or inter-state are best resolved through peaceful means.
We have every right to protest to the US on these unsavory acts in US Congress and could also keep arguing, who gave the right to the US Congress’s Committee on Foreign Affairs to discuss human rights situation in Balochistan, but that will not serve any purpose. The problem will not end just by making noises. Neither an exaggerated sense of anxiety nor an ostrich-like approach will do. We need to do some real soul-searching. Instead of always blaming others for our problems or continuously agonising with imaginary fears, we must behave like a mature and responsible nation capable of taking care of itself.
Unfortunately, we tend to ignore the new dynamics in the world and like to live in our own world of eccentricities, showing no sensitivity to universally acknowledged fundamental values, freedoms and human rights. We are a self-centered nation always obsessed with a fear that the whole world is out there to destroy us. India and America in particular are an easy scapegoat for us. As a large country with 180 million people, there could be no threat to our existence or national unity from outside if we all as a nation remained faithful to our country and to global norms of civilised behaviour.
But let’s be honest to admit, we ourselves are the main threat to our own existence as a sovereign, independent state which on its birth was considered a ‘twentieth century miracle’ created entirely through a democratic and constitutional struggle by the same people who are today overtaken by parochial and ethnic discontent as a result of bad governance and lopsided national priorities. Within less than twenty-five years of our independence, we lost half the country not because India taking advantage of our geographical oddity invaded us but only because our rulers were totally incapable of addressing political issues of the state through political means.
Our power-hungry politicians had no vision or ability to rise above their self-serving interests and took shelter behind a demented military dictator in defying East Pakistan’s clear electoral majority in the December 1970 elections. Instead of exploring political remedies to the ensuing crisis, they encouraged a military solution. It was the height of political selfishness and a humiliating military debacle that led to Pakistan’s tragic break up: the worst that could happen to any country in the world. The problem is that the situation has not changed. Our rulers, today, are no less oblivious of the challenges of governance in a state with multiple ethnic, linguistic and parochial divisions.
In the former East Pakistan too, a similar deep-rooted sense of deprivation and a feeling of political and economic alienation became a politico-constitutional crisis culminating into demand for larger autonomy, and leading eventually to the dismemberment of the country. What is even worse is that Pakistan is today going through the gravest crisis of its history. Its national edifice is being weakened methodically by keeping it engaged on multiple external and domestic fronts. Its institutional structure is being dismantled brick by brick, not from outside but from within.
But the problem is that the overbearing feudal and tribal power structures in our country have been too deeply entrenched to let any systemic change take place. It doesn’t suit them. They have always resisted reform in the country, which they fear will erode their vested power and influence base. Pakistan’s provincial architecture, based on ethnicity and language, is the biggest anachronism. We remain a unique example of a federation with almost no parallel anywhere in the world. No country, roughly equal to Pakistan’s geographical and population size has so few and so large provinces. In any lopsided unequal set up, no method of governance will work. It only aggravates sense of inequality and deprivation among different parts of the country.
We must accept the situation in Balochistan is not normal. It is not merely a law and order problem. Balochistan’s legitimate political and economic grievances should have been met through constitutional means. No one denies that despite its abundance of natural resources, Balochistan remains the most backward province of the country. There has been a strong underlying resentment in this as well as other provinces against what is seen as inequitable distribution of power and resources. This is not an issue that can be pushed under the carpet anymore. All these perceptions, real or unreal, must be removed through constitutional, political and economic remedial measures.
Balochistan certainly needs economic development which will come only in an environment of peace and tranquility, free of exploitation, blackmail or duress from any source. With greater share in political power and better economic opportunities, the people of Balochistan could chart for them a new and better place in the federation of Pakistan. We must amend the Constitution to ensure that the provinces are given their due right over their resources giving them a sense of justice and equity.
If the universal principles of democracy, equality and human rights have any relevance in the context of Balochistan, the foremost need has been to extricate the people of Balochistan from the outdated, exploitative Darbari and Sardari tribal system which keeps them backward only to sustain its own privilege and power. The Sardars must understand the new realities of the world. They cannot continue to exploit their people anymore. Instead of fueling self-serving ‘nationalist’ unrest and obstructing genuine development and security related projects, they should welcome any public or private investments in their province which would ultimately bring direct or indirect socio-economic dividends to their people.
The writer is a former foreign secretary.
