Baloch tribal gathering appeals to International Court of Justice

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Tuesday 26 September 2006

PAKISTAN: Baloch tribal gathering appeals to International Court of Justice


©  Kamila Hyat/IRIN

Killed in August, Nawab Akbar Bugti was a key figure in the Baloch movement

KALAT, 26 Sep 2006 (IRIN) - A recent gathering of 85 tribal chiefs from Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab for the first grand tribal jirga or council in at least 126 years reflects growing frustration among the inhabitants of energy-rich Balochistan in their fight for greater autonomy from the government.

Tribal chiefs from across the region and 300 leaders from other areas of Pakistan appealed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to investigate what they say is a violation of a 1948 treaty that promised autonomy to Balochistan within the newly created Pakistani state.

The leaders referred to “colonial rule” by Pakistan’s most populous state, Punjab, which has traditionally been seen as allied to the interests of the Pakistani establishment.

During the meeting, held last Thursday in the small, market town of Kalat, about four hours southwest of the provincial capital Quetta, leaders protested against military action in the area – including the killing last month of nationalist tribal leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, 79, in a military operation. His death sparked a wave of protests and further violence in the area.

They also criticised the lack of development in the province. Balochistan is rich in natural resources and provides gas for the entire country, but remains the most underdeveloped of Pakistan’s four provinces.

Since the 1950s, there have been periodic uprisings in the restive province – each of which have been crushed by the military.

In strictly legal or constitutional terms the demands made, or even the gathering itself, have no meaning. The mandate of the ICJ also prevents it from looking into the question of Baloch autonomy.

But in the context of the ongoing conflict in Balochistan and the growing anger across the province, the gathering is important. It indicates that anger in Balochistan is not restricted to the two districts of Dera Bugti and Kohlu, where troop movements continue, but is felt in many parts of the province.

The demand for ICJ intervention and an internationally-led inquiry into the death of Bugti also suggests a growing lack of trust in national institutions.

Commenting on the jirga, Sardar Sanullah Zehri, the chief of Jhalawan state, located in Khuzdar district, Balochistan, told IRIN that the "Baloch had been targeted by rulers" and were now "fighting for their rights". Other tribal chiefs strongly backed him.

The threat, after the gathering, is that the Balochistan conflict could spread and assume still more dangerous dimensions. While the tribal system under which the chiefs met is obviously antiquated, it is also apparent that a number of people in Balochistan endorse it.

"Who are the military to say there should be an end to feudalism. We Baloch have our own way of life. Let us stick to it," Mir Sarib, 27, a student, told IRIN.

The fighting in Balochistan and the fear that the conflict could continue indefinitely have already had an immensely adverse impact on the people in the province.

According to figures compiled by the Quetta office of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), at least 250 people have died in rocket attacks, bomb blasts or landmine explosions in the first six months of 2006 alone. Hundreds others have been injured.

The casualties include at least 80 members of Pakistan's security forces.

But the tensions in the province have also brought to the forefront other humanitarian concerns. The increased anger directed against Punjab, a province seen as backing the military, is creating deep unease among Punjabis who have lived for decades in Balochistan. The precise number of Punjabi settlers or temporary workers in the province is unknown, but they are estimated to run into thousands.

"I have been settled here for over 20 years. We are traders," said Ahmed Waris, in the town of Noshki. His family is originally from the Muzzafargarh area in southern Punjab. However, Ahmed, whose two children were both born and educated in Balochistan says: "There is a sense of unease. Three families we know have left and gone back to Punjab. We are considering the options, even though this is the only home we know."

There have also been some accounts of Punjabis being targeted for attack, with bombs placed outside their homes. In March 2006, three Punjabis were picked out and shot from amongst a party out picnicking.

In the widespread rioting that followed the death of Nawab Bugti, at least four Punjabis were killed, with attacks taking place in Noshki, Quetta and other cities. At least 30 Punjabis were escorted out of Chaghai district by the army.

The reports over ethnic tensions are however mixed.

Meanwhile, analysts in Balochistan fear security personnel may be deliberately fuelling rumours of attacks on Punjabis to create hatred for the Baloch in Punjab. "The Punjabis living here were also angry over Bugti's killing. They were not deliberately singled out in riots here," maintains Adeel Mengal, a Noshki-based journalist and rights activist.

But undoubtedly, tensions in Balochistan, spread over 350,000 square km, are running higher than ever. There are fears that conflict will accelerate in the coming months and years, and this could only bring more dangers for people who live across the province's scattered towns, villages and hamlets.

KH/AT/JL/DS

[ENDS]


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