Press unease at Baloch killings

The unrest in Balochistan following the killing of tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti has prompted a flurry of calls in the Pakistani press for the government to control the situation. At the same time, many commentators urge a more reconciliatory approach to resolving the province's long-standing problems.

Editorial in THE NATION

The storm of protests and resentment that Nawab Bugti's killing let loose on Sunday has not abated; rather, it has gained strength. By not handing over the body to the family so far, the authorities have given rise to a needless controversy and speculations about its whereabouts ... It is not clear why the government let the situation develop into such a sorry mess... when time-honoured, effective means of negotiations and peaceful settlement of contentious points were available.

Hussain Haqqani in THE NATION

The consequences of Nawab Bugti's assassination are likely to be monumental... The mindset of Pakistan's ruling establishment is vice-regal and a holdover from British colonial Raj... The army's intervention in Pakistan's politics has created the unfortunate situation where Pakistan's army is responsible for killing more Pakistanis as enemies of the country than it has eliminated foreign troops with whom Pakistan has gone to war.

Zubeida Mustafa in DAWN

Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti is dead. His violent death at the hands of the Pakistan army in a targeted military operation has given Balochistan the martyr that it needed at this hour to rally people round the nationalist movement and inject fresh vigour into it. Ironically, in his death Bugti's contribution to Baloch nationalism may prove to be greater than his role in life... Today, what is at stake is the Baloch aspiration to have decision-making power in their own affairs and on issues that concern them.

Editorial in PAKISTAN

Agitation has continued in Balochistan and other parts of the country over the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti... it is necessary to overcome the reasons that give rise to extremism. An inflexible attitude should not be adopted so as to maintain the writ of the government and the political process; moderate behaviour should be adopted to calm down the peoples' reaction. Political problems can never be resolved through the gun... These issues can be settled through a political process and dialogue.

Editorial in ISLAM

We say the killing of Nawab Bugti is part of a big conspiracy to harm the solidarity of Pakistan. The contradictory statements issued by the government regarding the incident are strengthening this belief. We say the government and civil and military policymakers should reflect on the repercussions of Bugti's killing and should take effective steps to control the situation in Balochistan. They should also develop a strategy to combat the conspiracies being developed there.

Editorial in NAWA-I-WAQT

India has condemned Bugti's killing, saying political issues cannot be resolved through the use of force. The Afghan National Assembly also held heated discussions over the incident... We say this is an eye-opener for the government, which should push for reconciliation instead of provoking the people further. Talks and confidence building with the people is the need of the hour and the government should take the lead.

Editorial in MASHRIQ

A US military journal has published a map regarding the geographical redefinition of Pakistan. On the map, Balochistan was shown as a free state. Whether this is realistic or not, it certainly reflects the US dream of a Greater Balochistan. In order to combat such conspiracies... we should not kill our people but embrace them.

Editorial in JINNAH

In view of the gravity of the present situation, the government should take all the political parties into its confidence and devise a joint strategy to improve the situation in the larger interests of the country so that the political parties do not use Bugti's killing as a political issue.

Editorial in AUSAF

We feel that the statements being made by the rulers in this highly sensitive situation amount to fuelling the fire, whereas in the aftermath of Bugti's killing what is required is the use of wisdom... We would also request the opposition leaders to avoid committing mistakes... and sit together and consider how Pakistan can be saved from dangerous internal chaos.

Editorial in KHABRAIN

Now that riots and demonstrations are taking place in Baluchistan and Karachi as a reaction to the Balochistan operation, it has been observed that the opposition parties are also supporting this turmoil... The opposition has the right to oppose the government, but it should examine whether this right is not being used against Pakistan.

Nusrat Mirza in AUSAF

The Army men like to do everything using power, but they have no idea of the power of negotiations. Certainly Sardar Akbar Bugti was an arrogant man. After all, he was a Baloch tribal elder, but he was not a man who could not be handled... In interaction with him over two years, I reached the conclusion that he loved Pakistan from the bottom of his heart.

Editorial in NAWA-I-WAQT

There is a need to extinguish the fire and normalise the situation, but the government has made an incomprehensible announcement to continue the military operation without taking parliament into its confidence and establishing contact with the Baloch politicians... the insistence on continuing the operation may further aggravate the situation and become a means of increasing the sense of deprivation of the Baloch people.

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