Federal government unveils 39-point ‘Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan’

[Naveed Yaseen]

For a new beginning...

* Package divided into constitutional, political, administrative, economic and monitoring categories

By Zulfiqar Ghuman and Irfan Ghauri

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday tabled the ‘Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan’ package – based on 39 points – at a joint sitting of parliament proposing the facilitation of the return of political exiles, the immediate release of political workers and political dialogue with major stakeholders in the province.

The package also proposes setting up of a fact-finding commission to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a judicial inquiry into the killing of three Baloch nationalist leaders, stopping the construction of cantonments in Sui and Kohlu, withdrawing the armed forces from these areas, limiting federal agencies’ operations to terrorists and tracing the missing citizens.

Senator Mian Raza Rabbani – who heads the committee that prepared the package – tabled the recommendations divided into five categories: constitutional, political, administrative, economic and monitoring mechanism.

“We are aware that a sense of deprivation prevails in provinces in the political and economic structures ... [we] are determined to correct the wrongs of history by conferring political, economic, and cultural rights on provinces,” he said.

Administrative matters: Rabbani said a fact-finding mission – headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or a high court – should be set up to determine the circumstances leading to the death of the late Akbar Bugti. “A judicial inquiry [should also] be ordered into the murder of Baloch leaders Ghulam Muhammad, Munir Ahmed and Muhammad Munir,” he said, adding that the construction of cantonments in Sui and Kolhu areas should be stopped, the role of federal agencies in the war on terror in provinces should be reviewed and the armed forces should be withdrawn from these areas.

“A fact-finding commission must be formed – which includes a member of the provincial superior judiciary and federal and interior ministers and home ministers – to locate and identify missing citizens and facilitate their release, except for those involved in serious crimes. They should also be produced in court and allowed access to counsels and meetings with relatives,” he said.

Checkposts established by civil-armed forces should be redirected in accordance with the directions of the provincial government. “A judicial inquiry should be held into the allotment of land in Gwadar,” he said.

Political matters: Rabbani said the federal government – in consultation with the Balochistan government – should immediately release all political workers – except for those involved in serious crimes – and launch political dialogue with major stakeholders to bring them into mainstream politics.

“The return of political exiles – except for those involved in terrorism – should be facilitated and the Balochistan Local Government Ordinance and the Balochistan Police Order should be amended in accordance with the requirements of the province,” said Rabbani.

Economic matters: Rabbani said the federal government should ensure the rationalisation of the royalty formula for natural resources, and provinces should be given their due representation in boards of directors of various companies – such as OGDCL, PPL and Sui Southern Gas Pipeline Ltd.

“All mega projects should be initiated with the consent of the provincial government, and jobs from Grade 1 to 16 should be given to the local population, in addition to giving 10 percent of the total profits for the development of areas with natural resources,” he said, adding that special packages must be announced for Sui and Kolhu areas, and the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons from Bugti areas should be facilitated.

He also called for schemes which include the construction of small dams throughout the province – particularly in Quetta, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah and Zhob.

Constitutional matters: Rabbani said a constitutional reforms committee of parliament and several suggestions – such as the deletion of the concurrent list and restriction of the NFC Award criteria for provincial autonomy – were under consideration. Other matters being considered include the effective implementation of Article 153 of the constitution, the implementation of Article 160 of the constitution and the implementation of Articles 154, 155, 156, 157, 158 and 159 of the constitution.

Monitoring mechanism: Rabbani said it had been proposed that federal, provincial and other agencies involved in the implementation of these recommendations brief the national security committee of parliament on a monthly basis.

“The federal government should table a report on the implementation in parliament after every three months. The federal minister for inter-provincial coordination shall certify to both houses of parliament the amount of money spent on the implementation of these proposals,” he said.

Key points:

* Facilitation of political exiles’ return to homeland

* Immediate release of political workers

* Launch of political dialogue with major Balochistan stakeholders

* Fact-finding commission to investigate circumstances that led to Akbar Bugti’s killing

* Judicial inquiry into killing of three Baloch nationalist leaders

* End to construction of cantonments

* Withdrawal of armed forces from Sui, Kohlu

* Tracing missing citizens, facilitating their immediate release

* Provincial consent in launch of mega projects

* 10 percent of profits to be allocated for development of areas with natural resources

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_1