The Hindu : International / Globescan : Plea to resolve Balochistan issue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2004

International

International - Globescan

Plea to resolve Balochistan issue

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD: The outgoing Pakistan Prime Minister, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, on Tuesday proposed a special committee of the Senate to take up the political dispute in Balochistan and resolve the matter "once for all". Nationalists in the province are up in arms against the Federal Government, alleging discrimination and the implementation of big projects like Gwadar port, which they believe, will pave the way for takeover by stronger provinces like Punjab. Balochistan has witnessed a series of attacks targeting the army by forces claiming to represent Balochistan Liberation Army. The province, which accounts for most of the gas fields in Pakistan as well as other mineral resources, has been a theatre of unending battle over the issue of royalties. Balochistan, the largest province in Pakistan in terms of landmass, is the most backward. The recent decision of the army to establish three cantonments in the province has further infuriated the nationalists. They believe the army is being brought in to the province to protect the interests of Punjab.

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