Balochistan: Invisible to the International Community?

When a western reporter Declan Walsh fromexposed him, a ship with wheat arrived from
"Guardian News Services" asked a native BalochCanada at Gwader Deep-Sea-port in Balochstan
at Dera Bugti Foj Ali about the Pakistani rulers. Hiswhere he sent 400 un-skilled laborers from Punjab
answer was clear, "it is a great injustice. Theyand Karachi (Muhajirs) to unload the wheat. He
(Pakistani rulers) are making billions of rupeescharted four buses and three trucks, for the
pumping gas from our land to the rest of thelaborers. Yet they could not find un-skilled native
country, and we are still using fire wood."from their own city of Gwader, Balochistan. During
Indeed there are today thousands Foj Ali from allhis rule Islamabad has further planed to invest Rs
over Balochistan asking the same questions to the9 billion on constructions of cantonments in
international community. Such historic root causesBalochistan, the main reason is to control the free
of Balochistan must not be ignored and shouldmovements of Baloch people in their own land.
certainly be considered prior to signing the gasThis is serious concern for the people of
pipelines or any other mega project within theBalochistan.
occupiers of Balochistan. The anger is increasinglyPakistani media is projecting around the world
mounting among Baloch leaders and the people ofabout the mega projects of Balochistan and claim
Balochistan. By the same token they should notthey will bring economic revolutions for the
ignore the human rights impartial reports ofregions, such as future gas pipelines. But behind
International  organizations such assuch projects, states of Pakistan and are Iran
International Crisis Group of Brussels' Europe ,both having their hidden agendas using Balochistan.
alarming statistics and about bloody conflicts ofStrategically located regions such 900 costal built
Balochistan which has been published fromgates of Asia, are to protect the central
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace" bygovernments interest, strengthen its defense
United States Think Tank Frederic Grare Carnegiethrough Balochistan gwader-Deep-Sea Port, where
and South Asians expert Selig Harrison the authorChina is investing a billion dollars in the Gwader
of the book  'In Afghanistan 's Shadow: Baluch-Deep-Sea port.
Nationalism and Soviet temptations" regarding ÂThe world should look it the May 28, 1998 nuclear
Balochistan conflicts within both states of Pakistantest example, which was conducted by Pakistani
and Iran, and the well documented reports ofscientist in Chahgi Balochistan, which is the only
atrocities, and human rights violations insign of development Islamabad, has left behind up
Balochistan presented by the world Human Rightsto this point. Due to that test the whole region
Organizations.has been destroyed and it caused thousands of
An 89 years old, Baloch spiritual leader Nawabnative displacements and the states left them out
Khair Baksh Marri made it crystal clear toof in the cold without any compensation.
Pakistan, Iran and the international community byThe social and economic reality of Balochistan is
saying "we (Baloch) are the masters of our land"that it is the most backward province in Pakistan.
Ultimately, excluding the owners of the land fromIt has been at the bottom of the list in terms of
in all major issues concerning their own destinysocial conditions compared to the rest of the
poses for a difficult process and similarly does notcountry, as Selig Harrison writes "this
make much sense.condescending posture us reflected in the almost
Since Canada is well known for its strongcomplete exclusion of the Baloch from the political,
reputation of good human rights and support ofbureaucratic, and military power structure of
seculars and democratic forces around the world.Pakistan." Such historic injustices can not be
Today, most secular and democratic people ofdenied neither can be it hidden as according to
Balochistan are concerned about CanadianBalochistan's dossiers "85% of population is
companies interacting with the Pakistaniwithout drinking water, 80% without electricity,
government through trade without consultation60% are living below the poverty line and
with native leaders of Balochistan. Baloch leadersBalochistan has the highest rates of infants
believe the western world should not overlook themortality and it is the lowest literacy rate in the
injustices and decades of oppression in Balochistan.regions where 70% children are deprived from
Similarly, India, Pakistan and Iran IPI projectsthe modern school."
which have 2,600 KM of gas pipelines are going toAhmar Mustikhan, a Baloch gournalist and founder
be finalized by IPI and possibly China. The gasof "American Friends of Baluchistan" from the
pipelines go directly through the heart ofUnited States has written an open letter to L.K
Balochistan, unfortunately all parties are ignoringAdvani, N.A.T.O leaders in Brussels and to the
the indigenious people of Balochistan which is aIndian Ambassador United States, Ronen Sen' He
grave concerns for the Baloch leaders. Â At thisis appealing to all head of states and institutions
point the Baloch people have screamed out theirby concluding his letter with this appeal "I again
last cry with their last breath and are begging theurge you not to let the secular people of
international community to not turn their back onBaluchistan plunge into blood. Please do the right
the injustices and atrocities in which they havething and stop the project (gas Pipelines) until such
been suffering for the past several decades. Âtime Baluch case at the I.C.J is decided and the
Leaders cannot and must not exclude a legitimatepeople of occupied Baluchistan Pakistan and Iran
party from negotiations when the discussions,gets their right of self-determinations."
decisions, and results will have significant affect onBaloch people never benefited from any mega
the particular absent representative, it is againstprojects and economic polices of both regimes in
international law.Pakistan and Iran, their imposed projects and
 Balochistan's provincial assembly seems to beeconomic plans through out history benefited the
running on the remote of Islamabad, any bills orcentral government. Mostly because their first
resolutions that are passed by the provincialpriority have been strengthening their central
assembly in Balochistan, are all subject to veto'sgovernment and military powers. They have ruled
by the central government which is heavilyupon the Baloch with an iron fist till today.
dominated by Punjab. Many claims ofInternational community should look at all the
advancements or assistance for the Baloch arehistorical aspects of Balochistan, both regimes are
no more then hollow disillusions that do no moreintentionally excluding Baloch representative whom
then depict a false picture of Balochistan. Forare overwhelmingly supported by their people
instance, Presidents Musharrraf has been claimingthrough out Balochistan. Such mega projects and
that he will build a technical institution since 2005 ingas pipe lines are seriously jeopardizing the
regions where mega projects are, but he has yetinterest of the native of the Baloch people. The
to fulfill any promises. Natives still do not get skillInternational community base of international law
training and lacks fair opportunities for jobs in suchand the United Nations charter of rights should not
so called mega projects. Musharraf's anti-Balochoverlooked the ground reality and crisis that is
intentions became clear, when the media firstBalochistan.