The defeat of nationalist parties in Local Bodies elections in Balochistan has exposed the popularity of the war-lord’s status-holding chieftains who are hoodwinking the masses with their secessionist sloganeering. The myth of the feudal lords whose clans have been holding reigns of people since centuries stands exposed as it is said that the people within their so-called territories are not allowed to cast their votes in accordance with their own will but on the orders of their lord. There had been campaigns against the Centre and the Sardars like Nawab Akbar Bugti, Ataullah Mengal and Khair Bukhsh Mari raised hue and cry about a possible military operation in the province but this did not happen. So much so their anti-Centre campaign failed in bringing LB polls results in their favour. One positive aspect of the local government polls was that for the first time, however, there was no violence in the three phases of the elections and that all candidates and parties accepted the people’s verdict without any hesitation.
The four-party Baloch alliance won a few nazim seats only in Baloch areas and the Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party in Pukhtun-dominated aeas. The nationalist Ponam and the four-party alliance failed to win. All major political groups, Ponam, MMA and the ruling PML, suffered setback and lost the Quetta city nazim seat to a young PML dissident, who refused to accept the candidate nominated by the high command of his party. Mir Maqbool Lehri was always confident about his victory and had said after filing his nomination papers, “The party’s high command has taken a wrong decision by not nominating me and I will prove it by winning the nazim’s post without the support of party leadership.”
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League, on the other hand, captured 11 districts in Balochistan and swept through interior Sindh while its ally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, has taken Karachi and Hyderabad. In the NWFP, too, the Q-League has managed eight out of 10 district nazim slots. Balochistan, unlike the Punjab and Sindh, saw a split mandate not because the ruling League in that province did not resort to the same tactic to win but because the nationalist parties in Balochistan decided not to throw in the towel. They gave the official candidates a tough fight and as a result the province has seen a split mandate.
Mir Lehri’s victory is being considered highly alarming for Baloch and Pukhtun nationalists, who may face a tough time in the next general elections also. If the defeat of Ponam in Quetta and the four-party Baloch alliance in Gwadar is a big blow to nationalists, the victory of a PML dissident is also worrying the JUI-F which had won an MNA and three MPA seats in Quetta district in the 2002 general elections. The worst performance in Quetta was that of the JUI-F candidate who got only 34 out of 871 votes. The JUI-F, however, performed quite well in containing nationalists in the northern districts of the province mostly inhabited by Pukhtuns. The National Party, a component of the four-party alliance, was divided over the poll strategy in Khuzdar and Kalat districts and one faction of the party sided with the JUI-F, a second faction went along with the PML in Kalat and a yet another faction supported the BNP-Mengal in Khuzdar.
The Balochistan National Party (Awami), which is a coalition partner in the provincial government, succeeded in capturing the nazim seats of Makran coastal area in Kech and Panjgur, but the PML won the Gwadar district nazim post after entering into an agreement with the group. The PML retained its traditional support of pro-establishment tribal chieftains by winning nazim seats in Bolan, Sibi, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Chagai, Nushki, Washuk, Barkhan and Lasbela.
Given the positive results and violence-less phases of the elections, political observers are considering the Local Bodies polls a mode of big change in the conservative Balochistan province. Along with the ongoing yet geared-up pace of development, political reforms introduced by President General Pervez Musharraf seem to be paying dividends. After decades of indifference by various regimes towards lesser-developed and relatively remote parts of country, finally an endeavour is made by him to end the economic injustice towards smaller provinces and under-developed areas. The Centre initiated numerous development projects in various parts of the country. These projects include development of communication network, water reservoirs for irrigation purposes, establishment of healthcare centers and provision of electricity and gas to under developed areas. Balochistan has got a substantial share in the development package for the first time since independence, which was long overdue.
This neglect on part of the rulers had created sense of deprivation amongst the masses. The projects under way in the province have started taking a proper shape and with their completion would prove to be catalyst for social and economic prosperity in the province. There has been substantial increase in the allocation of funds for the development of province and six mega projects have been introduced, besides several small projects. Different schemes for the provision of basic living facilities for general population are on track, and government has also asked for international assistance in this regard.
The behavior of some Sardars does not justify the negligence on the part of past regimes. Balochistan has been the main supplier of gas to the whole country but most of its own area is deprived of this facility. The government has taken notice of these issues and has undertaken various steps to ensure provision of the basic facilities to the province. It has initiated several developmental works, to bring the province at par with other provinces. Balochistan is being paid Rs13 billion on account of gas royalty alone, while Rs31 billion was given additionally to the province, which included gas development surcharge.
There has been substantial increase in funds for the Balochistan and the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocation has increased from two percent to 14 percent. This increase in PSDP is now spent on the development of the province. Balochistan was always kept behind in the development sector in the past but the mega projects, modernization of water channels, and construction of dams, would certainly bring prosperity to the people. The province receives about Rs24.7 billion under the NFC award on the basis of population, which is not sufficient for carrying out development process in the province. It also needs financial assistance from international donors and foreign investors to bring the province at par with other provinces. Government has asked international organizations and developed countries for aid and assistance in developing the province, which is increasingly becoming a strategically important location. Government initiative has encouraged the foreign donors and lead to approval of US $875,000 technical assistance (TA) grant to the Pakistani government for the preparation of the Balochistan Resource Management Programme by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved project worth Rs614 million for setting up five new research institutes in the agriculture sector of Balochistan to increase farm yield and improve livestock. In the education-training sector, Ecnec approved three new projects worth Rs3.8 billion. Besides, six projects worth Rs3.2 billion for the higher education sector have already been approved. There has been an increase in allocation of funds for the development of the province by 300 per cent in the federal budget. Priority has been given in budget allocations to the development of water, infrastructure, health and education. The decision had been taken to provide gas to Ziarat, Loralai, Qalat and other areas in Balochistan by June this year. Similarly, the job quota for Balochistan had been increased.
Balochistan has the potential to emerge as a regional hub of economic activities. The most important project is Gwadar free port, which could become one of the most important trade centers in the region by virtue of its strategic location. Its first phase will become functional in next few months. In addition, an agreement with China had been signed to deepen the Gwadar seaport to 14.7 meters, allowing bigger vessels access to the port. A new airport at Gwadar, roads linking Gwadar to Chaman, Indus Highway GT Road and other development projects in Balochistan are also under discussion.
The Balochistan Road Development Sector Project (BRDSP) aims at widening and improving a total of approximately 1,400 kilometers in the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Construction of communication network will enhance the economic activities in the area by providing easy access. These development works on completion, besides improving socio-economic conditions of masses will also bring awareness amongst them to stop the exploitation at the hands of few sardars and would help themselves to get freedom from the clutches of local sardar’s and tribal chieftains.
Great responsibility lies on Sardars to join hands with government to develop a working partnership to lessen suffering of Baloch people, who have been prey of negligence for a long time. Sardars also must take such steps to neutralize government’ apprehensions toward securing national installations. On the other hand government must take such measures, which could allay the sense of alienation, bring nationalists into the mainstream politics, create local stake in the province’s development and assuage their grievances. There is also a need to create a sense of ownership among the local people making them directly responsible for the security of vital installations.
Once these projects are completed and the political reforms take roots in the society, the myth of the Sardars would stand further exposed. Already splits within the Bugti and Mari tribes have sent the realization to the people who have deliberately been kept illiterate by the Nawabs. There is a growing feeling among the people to get education and come in to the mainstream of the country’s socio-economic uplift. President’s strategy not to cope with the Sardars physically or through operations but spreading awareness among the public is based on pragmatism and long-term result-orientation.

Braving the Tragedy
Marya Mufti

The horrifying earthquake on October 8 has already claimed more than 50,000 lives — with many more injured — and the toll is still rising. It is an absolutely dreadful human tragedy with many innocent families wiped out and whole communities devastated. Nothing can be done, at least not in the short-term, to prevent earthquakes or hurricanes, but it is possible to mitigate their effects over the long-term by better early warning mechanisms, speedier relief operations and the construction of homes and offices more likely to resist the impact of earth tremors when they happen.
After the calamity that destroyed most of Azad Kashmir and parts of the NWFP, Pakistan government faces a daunting challenge in providing shelter to the estimated two million rendered homeless by the earthquake. With winter fast approaching — the first snowfall has already been reported — there is a risk of people dying from hypothermia if urgent attention is not given to providing the victims with emergency shelter. Aid workers are racing against time and bad weather to get relief supplies to the remote areas where relief goods have been slow to reach. According to various estimates, between 100,000 to 200,000 tents are needed but the numbers that have come in so far — from within and outside Pakistan — fall hugely short of the requirement.
Unfortunately, the local supply of tents has been exhausted, but they are not suited for the freezing climate and need to be supplemented with heavy bedding. Regrettably, the tent vendors have raised their prices two to threefold: a Rs 2,000 tent is being sold for Rs 5,000 and there are reports that tents meant for relief have been stolen and are being sold by unscrupulous elements. Nevertheless, even in these desperate times, every conceivable alternative is being put to use. Some digital billboard printers are using their PVC-based material to make tents, as they are fire and water-proof and can at least provide some shelter to the homeless. Such ingenious methods are appreciated. NGOs who have experience in temporary housing should also come forward and help in protecting people from the blistering cold and rains.
The government has made urgent appeals for tents from the international community and it is hopes that countries like Saudi Arabia, whose support has been commendable, will include tents in their dispatches as it has huge stocks of them for use during Umra and Haj. Although 70,000 more tents are expected in the coming days, much more are needed. There is a need for an equitable distribution of relief goods for which organizations should network with those NGOs already working in affected areas to ensure that goods reach those most in need.
Meanwhile, however, massive relief operation is under way. The Federal Relief Commission under Maj. Gen. Muhamad Farooq has completed the assessment of the damage caused by the earthquake, and the rescue and relief operation is going on in full gear. Due to winter, the most important need of the victim is shelter, so the government’s decision to set up tent villages is justified. Due to the severe earthquake the civil and local administrations in AJK have totally collapsed and the government has sent officials from other parts of the country.
The Federal Relief Commission said over 22,000 army troops were working in Azad Kashmir and other affected areas, which is one of the biggest army deployments in the country. To help the administration in AJK, Rangers and Punjab Police have also been moved to Azad Kashmir and adjoining areas. So far the army has rescued over 6,000 persons and shifted them to hospitals. Around 45 helicopters are involved in the rescue and relief operation while more helicopters are still needed. Karakorum Highway, which was damaged and was closed to traffic at many places, has bee reopened for light traffic. All the main roads in Muzaffarabad were reopened after 36 hours of the earthquake. Work on small roads is under way. Neelum and Jhelum valleys, the worst affected areas, are still closed for traffic. However, the relief operation started two days back is going on there at full swing. Moreover 50 satellite phone PCOs in Kashmir and 60 in affected areas of NWFP have been installed for convenience of people to make and receive calls free of cost. A number of field hospitals are also working day and night.
On the other hand Army Aviation helicopters are continuously carrying out rescue and relief operations in inaccessible areas of Jhelum, Neelum valleys near Muzaffarabad. Around 72 average sorties fly everyday in areas like Sortir, Lamina, Saropa, Chakothi, Gari Dopatta, Pir Chinari, Billgra, Sawan, Pundu and Hatian Balla villages. While the areas in Neelum Valley where rescue and relief operations are being carried out include Ghori, Dhani, Ging, Pangkot, Patka and Nowseri. Relief items, including food, tents and blankets, are being dropped in Chakot, Sudan Gali, Saropa, Neeum Valley and Gari Dopatta. Around 300 truck loads are distributed in Muzaffarabad almost every day. In Balakot the rescue and relief operations are being carried out in Paris, Kakiwar, Jared and Allanpur, the inaccessible aras where the troops earlier could not reach. Over 2000 injured persons have so far been evacuated to safer places and hospitals for treatment.
About international contribution to the relief fund, the Federal Relief Commission said so far Pakistan has received pledges of $360 million from the world and Rs 1.7 mbillion has been deposited in the President’s Fund. However, as each disaster unfolds it becomes increasingly clear that what is needed is a rapidly responding international unit coordinating the activities of the charities as well as channelling government support, and ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. A Red Cross report earlier this month claimed that after the tsunami, rivalries between hundreds of groups led in some cases to duplication of effort and to delays in aid reaching the people it was intended for. It added that after the disaster, 300 to 500 charities had arrived in Sri Lanka, some of which had little or no experience.
It is encouraging to learn that the United Nations is convening an emergency donors conference in Geneva on October 20 to solicit more funds for the devastating earthquake in Pakistan citing lack of adequate response to its “flash appeal” from the international community. “So far on $5 million have been contributed to the flash appeal and another $6million committed, which is not enough”, said the chief of staff to the Undersecretary General of Humanitarian Affairs (PCHA), Hamsjoerg Strohmeyer. He said that about $150 million had been committed on bilateral basis and it was not clear that how much of that money will be part of UN’s flash appeal and how much will be given to the Pakistani government.
Mr Strohmeyer said that “we need to broaden the base of donors” and draw in more corporations and other such organizations to donate more to solicit more money for the earthquake which has been termed as a ‘losing battle’. He noted that in case of Tsunami disaster many international organizations and multinational corporations were able to raise large amounts of money. During the Tsunami crisis Jan Egeland Undersecretary-General of Humanitarian Affairs had chided the rich countries for not responding fast enough with aid which resulted in an outcry and helped in spurring international community to step forward with help. He expressed the hope that international community will contribute more helicopters which could help in the search and rescue operations in remote areas.