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Magsi urges urgent steps to save Balochistan

Although I am a representative of the centre, I was never taken into confidence by Islamabad on the Balochistan issue: Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi.—APP/File

QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi warned on Wednesday that the situation in the province would get out of control if the federal government did not take immediate corrective measures.

‘The law and order situation in Balochistan is alarming and it needs immediate steps,’ he told reporters after laying down the foundation stone of a squash court in the Ayub Stadium.He said the situation worsened because the federal government had ignored the problems of the province.He said people were justified in criticising the government and politicians of the province because it never listened to anyone, not even him.‘Although I am a representative of the centre, I was never taken into confidence by Islamabad on the Balochistan issue,’ Mr Magsi said, adding that his suggestions for resolving the issue were always ignored.

However, he said he would continue to help the government in resolving the crisis. He said that atrocities were being committed against the people of Balochistan. This must be stopped by the centre. Otherwise the situation would get out of control, he added.He expressed concern over deterioration in law and order and migration of settlers from Balochistan.

Threats to settlers and their leaving the province would not be in the interest of Balochistan and its people, he said.‘Attacks on the life and prosperity of innocent people are against Baloch traditions. The Baloch people always welcomed settlers and were never involved in such incidents.’He said that a large number of doctors and teachers had already left the province and others were planning to leave because of security concerns.‘The migration of settlers would push Balochistan 100 years back.’ Answering a question, Mr Magsi said that problems being faced by the province were not because of Nawabs and Sardars or the Baloch tribal system. These problems were because of issues between the province and the centre and the federal government should act to resolve them.

Demands of Baloch leaders and politicians were genuine and the government must meet them, he said. ‘If these small problems are not solved amicably today, these will turn into big ones and eventually lead to disintegration,’ he said.About the recent killing of three Baloch leaders, Mr Magsi said the government would constitute a new inquiry tribunal acceptable to nationalist parties.

Dawn. Report By Saleem Shahid  :Thursday, 30 Apr, 2009