By: Mudie Asghar Ali
Everyone is to have equal rights in Pakistan according to its constitution, but Baloch people are deprived of their fundamental rights. Despite the fact that province hosts China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which aims to promote regional development, Balochistan is far from every said prosperity. One thinks if CPEC cannot change the fate of the province, what else can? In fact, the port city itself is away from advancement, other cities are a far cry. Unfortunately, the government of Balochistan has not shown any interest in these issues. To put it bluntly, the Baloch are mostly being bullied like animals in their own homes; they are completely ignored.
Unemployment is a growing problem in Pakistan, but most of the people, who are becoming unemployed, are from Balochistan. In the province, everyone works hard to secure a job, but they remain unemployed because jobs are sold to rich people by the parties and the government. Other remaining jobs are bagged in by the influential and political people.
On the other hand, everyone knows that on May 5, 1998, Pakistan tested its atomic bomb in Chaghi (Balochistan) to check their validity. But Pakistan targeted only Balochistan for the test. Here a question flashes in my mind that why Pakistan did not did test the atomic bomb in other provinces of Pakistan and only Balochistan had to host the tests? What did Balochistan get after the test of atomic bomb?
Balochistan is the only province of Pakistan that produces natural resources. One cannot be wrong to say that Balochistan is feeding Pakistan. Only Quetta has gained little attention, whereas, the rest of Balochistan is under suffering from grave issues. Despite being the richest province of Pakistan, expect Quetta, other complete Balochistan’s electricity is not connected to Pakistan’s national grid station and is getting electricity from Iran. In fact, Iran can cut Balochistan’s electricity at any time and will not provide electricity as we have observed the neighboring country has time to time cut the electricity.
If we take a look at the gas, it is being produced by Sui, the sub-district of Dera Bugti. The gas, it produces, is being supplied to Pakistan and only the capital of Balochistan Quetta and other three districts nearby Quetta but to not to Sui or Dera Bugti itself and whole Balochistan. Sadly, there are areas where people are finding it very difficult to get gas and others are still managed by using wood. In addition, gas prices are skyrocketing in Turbat and other districts of Balochistan.
However, it seems that the Baloch people are not a part of Pakistan and people in Balochistan are struggling for their rights. Therefore, I request the Prime Minister of Pakistan to work together with chief minister of Balochistan to immediately address the issues faced by the Baloch people.
Published in Daily Makran Times
Daily Makran Times 