Islamabad: A Heated Discussion on Balochistan’s Issues
The National Assembly of Pakistan witnessed a fiery debate during the presidential address and discussion on the pressing issues of Balochistan. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary leader, Zartaj Gul, vociferously criticized the government, calling out its inefficiency and failure in addressing the security concerns and socio-economic problems of the province.
The discussion in the Assembly was expected to focus on the recent terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express, an incident that resulted in tragic losses. However, Zartaj Gul lamented that instead of addressing the critical issues of Balochistan, the government remained entangled in personal political disputes.
Zartaj Gul’s Criticism of the Government’s Handling of Balochistan’s Affairs
Addressing the National Assembly, Zartaj Gul said that the operation launched in response to the attack on the Jaffar Express was successful, but the loss of lives, including both passengers and security personnel, was heart-wrenching. She strongly criticized the inefficiency of the government, questioning why, despite the presence of multiple ministers overseeing internal security matters, terrorism was still on the rise.
She further stated that the Defense Minister chose to target the PTI rather than explaining the government’s plan to counter terrorism in Balochistan. She also pointed out that the Defense Minister, Rehana Dar, had a history of making controversial statements against the military, and thus, she was unfit for the role.
Concerns Over Government’s Priorities
Zartaj Gul expressed disappointment over the lack of seriousness among the government ministers. She noted that when the routine agenda was postponed for the discussion on Balochistan, the expectation was that the ministers would show commitment to addressing the issue. However, instead of focusing on Balochistan, the government members spent the session engaging in personal political discourse.
She accused the government of neglecting national interests and shifting blame onto PTI for ongoing issues. She highlighted how thousands of Pakistanis, including over 10,000 individuals from the UAE alone, had been deported in the past 16 months due to poor governance. She also accused ministers of engaging in corrupt activities, such as accepting bribes in the form of luxury apartments in Burj Khalifa.
Criticism of the Presidential Address
Criticizing the President’s address, Zartaj Gul said that the 26th Constitutional Amendment was forcefully passed at 4 AM, raising questions about democratic transparency. She also criticized the President for failing to acknowledge the massacre that took place on November 26.
She further questioned the President’s engagement with smaller provinces, accusing him of speaking against canal constructions to gain sympathy and votes from Sindh, while ignoring similar injustices faced by other provinces.
Referring to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Zartaj Gul mentioned that despite his political struggles and even an assassination attempt, he remained dedicated to Pakistan’s unity. She asserted that Imran Khan, also known as Prisoner Number 804, had won the elections and was the only leader capable of uniting all four provinces.
JUI’s Usman Badini Expresses Discontent
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) National Assembly member Usman Badini also expressed frustration over the lack of serious discourse in the Assembly. He criticized how the previous day’s session had turned into a platform for personal attacks rather than a discussion on Balochistan’s grievances.
He lamented that Balochistan had been neglected for the past 75 years and continued to be deprived of its rights. He raised a thought-provoking question, asking why educated individuals, including doctors, were being forced to take up arms. He pointed out that while the Baloch had traditionally been armed, they were now resorting to suicide attacks. He called on the Assembly to reflect on who was responsible for pushing Baloch youth to such extremes.
Usman Badini urged the government to avoid political blame games and instead focus on genuine efforts to address Balochistan’s concerns. He warned that military operations alone would not solve the problem and stressed the need for separating ordinary citizens from insurgents. He emphasized that it was high time for the Assembly to take decisive action regarding Balochistan’s future.
PML-N’s Sheikh Aftab Calls for Unity Against Terrorism
Sheikh Aftab, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), highlighted the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan and the daily sacrifices made by security personnel. He recalled how Nawaz Sharif had previously called for an All-Parties Conference to address security concerns and stressed that a similar initiative was needed now.
He also pointed out that the economic situation of Balochistan’s people was dire, leading to frustration and vulnerability to terrorist organizations. He urged all political parties to collaborate and formulate a united strategy to resolve Balochistan’s issues, especially in light of the deteriorating situation on the Afghan border.
PPP’s Sahar Kamran Advocates for a Comprehensive Strategy
Sahar Kamran, a member of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), also voiced concerns over the increasing wave of terrorism. She stressed the need for a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy, similar to the one implemented after the Army Public School (APS) attack.
She highlighted the role of education in combating extremism and emphasized the need to improve educational opportunities, particularly for women. She expressed confidence in President Asif Ali Zardari’s ability to bring together the country’s political leadership to tackle the issue collectively.
Conclusion: The Need for a Unified Approach to Balochistan’s Issues
The National Assembly debate highlighted the deep divisions within the government and opposition regarding the approach to addressing Balochistan’s grievances. While members of different parties expressed concerns over terrorism, socio-economic issues, and political instability in the province, there was a clear lack of consensus on how to move forward.
Zartaj Gul’s fiery speech put the government on the defensive, while members from JUI, PML-N, and PPP emphasized the need for unity and a multi-faceted strategy to address Balochistan’s challenges. The discussion underscored the urgency of addressing the province’s long-standing issues through political collaboration, economic development, and security measures.
The National Assembly session was ultimately adjourned until 2 PM on Monday, with expectations that further debates would yield concrete solutions for the betterment of Balochistan and Pakistan as a whole.
