Balochistan Conflict: Solutions suggested by ICG

International Crisis Group (ICG) is a think tank which has been doing serious research on Pakistan. Their office in Islamabad has come out with excellent reports analysing the problems and suggesting solutions.

ICG recent report of Balochistan conflict concludes that although the crisis in Balochistan is assuming threatening dimensions, it is not irremediable provided the national and provincial elections are free and fair.

The restoration of participatory representative institutions would reduce tensions between the centre and the province, empower moderate forces and marginalise extremists. In the absence of a transition to meaningful democracy, however, the military’s strong-arm tactics are bound to further fuel the insurgency, at great cost to the Baloch people and Pakistan’s enfeebled federal framework.

ICG takes a detailed look at political alienation of people of Balochistan and growing frustration among the youth which is pushing them to join armed resistance against the centre.

Nationalist Balochis could be a natural partner against the extremist but myopic policies of government of Pakistan is alienating them.

report overview click here

full report

Other good resources:

Selig Harrison on political settlement with Baloch and Sindhi nationalists click here

Land Mafia: One shot dead as MQM allegedly bulldozed a village in Karachi.

Karachi, Oct 3, 2007, bulldozers entered the village Jumma K Goth, bin Qasim town at around 12 noon. They continued demolishing walls till 5pm. First of all the police took position from the rooftop of a nearby poultry farm and fired shells to create harassment, the distressed residents said. It was unexpected action and the people could not imagine why it happened without serving any prior notice against them, they said.

The residents said they have lease documents under the Goth Abad Scheme. The village graveyard, adjacent to demolished homes, was inaugurated by Haji Shafi Jamot, while he was chairman of defunct District Council, Karachi.

Khadim Hussain, a brother of victim Sultan Junejo, who died in the firing, said his brother was at home while the bulldozers started demolishing.

When women and children started screaming, he came out after the hue and cry and asked the officials to stop their action. On this, the police started indiscriminate firing in which he died on the spot while Pervez Abro and Ali Johar received bullet injuries. Sahibzadi, a resident of the area was injured while bulldozers hit the wall of her home.

Q Isa Daudpota, writes in DAWN daily that Juma Kalmati Goth comes under Bin Qasim town. Individuals from the Korangi Township carried out the demolition, which is a stronghold of the ruling MQM party.

After the incident, the nazim of Korangi town, Jan Alam Jamote, vehemently denied that his town office conducted the demolition of the village. However, witnesses identified that the demolition vehicles and police jeeps were marked as originating from Korangi Township.

It is regrettable that the investigation into the killing of Mr Sultan Junejo and those injured by gunshots has not been launched yet. This case also illustrates how easily the police can be arbitrarily mobilised in such an illegal operation, for an ulterior purpose or interest, instead of protecting a citizen’s life and property. Read more

Habitat International coalition writes that residents were taken by surprise with bulldozers and police arriving to evacuate the houses. Read more

Detaile Report by Urban Resourse Centre when the same town was targetted in 2006 click here

Flood, Death and Drainage System: Why are People in Badin (Sindh) Organizing?

July 2003: Sindh experienced heavy rainfall. Badin district map of area was flooded. More than 100 people died and 6,50,000 people displaced.Relief operations were disorganised and thousands lost their livelihood as crops, land and animals were destroyed.
Dawn Report, another report
ABC news report. click here
Pattan Development Org Report click here

Dec 2003: Misery continues as flood victims were facing extreme poverty and awaiting rehabilitation. Only tributary supplying clean drinking water has dried. Dawn Report

March 2005: President General Musharraf states that mishap happened because of flood in the LBOD. click here

LBOD (Left Bank Outfall Drain- detailed map of project ) is a drainage system constructed to drain effluent from Nawabshah, Sanghar and Mirpurkas into Arabian sea passing through Badin. Project was funded by International donors including World Bank. LBOD work started in 1980 and finished in 1997 at an expense of $ 1 Billion.

Final passage of effluent to the sea required a 42km long "tidal drain". This exposed Badin and surrounding area to indulgence by saline sea water.

2003 flooding was alleged primarily to the "tidal drain" as Badin was the point where flood water coming from North met sea water gushing onto tidal drain from south. Badin thus flooded and destroyed the livelihood of thousands.

"Tidal Drain" is still inatct and next rains as in 2003 can bring the misery back to Badin. People of Badin are protesting to dismantle the drain.

Wetlands which are natural "flood controller" and served as a grazing ground and habitat of rare vegetation and wild life were destroyed.
wetland, wetland as flood controller, US Environment Agency on wetlands.

July 2007: People of Badin launches anti-LBOD Tehreek (movement).

Sept 2007: Locals continue their struggle. Recently 2000 people attended people's tribunal organised by Pakistan fisher fork forum. People's vowed that they will not welcome any such project till their grievances were addressed.

Inquiry report holds department of irrigation responsible click here
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum - Awami Adalat in Badin click here

Washington DC Area - Informal Discussion on LBOD on Sunday 21st October 2007 arranged by SANA and expatriate Sindhi community. (click here for details)

Missing persons release delayed

The Nation editorial writes that the Supreme Court was told by the Deputy Attorney General that 13 (missing) persons had been recovered and sent to their homes since it heard the case last, bringing the number of those traced so far to 145 as against a total of 416 who had mysteriously disappeared.

Editor rightly reminds that in functional democracy this should have never happened and secondly, in the current circumstances when the SC is convinced that intelligence agencies were detaining them and issued injunctions for their release, they ought not to demur. (Full Editorial)

Case of Safdar Sarki (Website), sindhi nationalist, is well known in US community. He was allegdly picked up by intelligence agencies from Karachi. His children have suffered enough and now is the time to release him without any further delay. Cowasjee on Sarki (March 2006)(July 2006),

Amnesty writes that The Constitution of Pakistan states that "No person shall be deprived of life and liberty save in accordance with law" (Article 9). Under Article 10, every detainee must be brought before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest. The detention of Dr Sarki, if carried out by the security forces, is a clear violation of these requirements.(Full report)

Report from Asian Human Right Commission (Click here)