Despite 18th Amendment, Centre Continues to Infringe upon Provincial Matters in Balochistan, says a National Party Leader

Pakistan, October 19, 2016: The nation cannot possess actual democracy till the commoners from the level of grass-roots reach the parliament- stated the former Chief Minister of Balochistan and the leader of the 'National Party' or NP, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch on Tuesday. He also said that post the 18^th Constitutional Amendment Passage, the Centre kept on encroaching upon the provincial matters.

While addressing Meet the Press Program of the Hyderabad Press Club and the HCBA or High Court Bar Association, Hyderabad chapter- he stated that the 18^th amendment is not really being accomplished and implemented with a strong spirit, mentioned the Dawn report.

All properties and natural resources should be owned by the Federating units wherever those are located. He said that provincial governments must own Gwadar and the ports of Karachi.

He further added, the National Party backed the cause of the Economic Corridor of Pakistan and China, but insisted the Federal Government to relinquish control over the ports and hand them over to the provinces. It is actually the municipal authority that possesses the control over the ports around the globe, he mentioned to Dawn.

He added that the city of Gwadar must have the fare share of the revenues acquired from the ports besides the federal governments and Balochistan.

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The Refugee Crisis:

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said, of all issues in the country the most severe problem that is faced right now is the refugee crisis. He observed that there is an onslaught of the refugees and this issue had created both economic and national problems previously. He added that the federal government must repatriate the refugees immediately. He also claimed to have opposed the census till there are refugees in the country, adding that they stayed in Balochistan under the policy of the state earlier but currently the state's policy have transformed. He then added that the situation is improving slowly.

Mr. Baloch clarified to the members of the Bar that his disagreeing notes in the meetings of CCI (the council of Common Interests) concerning census, were on records.

Peace in Quetta City:

He further added, "When I took over as chief minister, the law and order situation was at its worst. Roads were not safe for people to travel and cases of kidnapping were rampant and insurgency was also at its peak". He also claimed to have made a "heavily politicized" police force, an apolitical one.

"Even as chief minister, I didn't make one single appointment or transfer, while budgetary allocation of Rs10 billion was made for police and Levies so that they could take care of themselves", the former Chief Minister was quoted as saying to Dawn.

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Mr. Baloch stated that it would take really long to improve the situations in the country since Balochistan was caught in a game of power. "Elements connected with India or Afghanistan can possibly be involved in Balochistan for their own vested interests," he said.

There was an improvement, observed in the sector of Education and presently the provincial commission of the Public Service became "free of corruption". Who had settled and then left Quetta, have returned and the city is now witnessing gradual development of business activities- he said.

He added further "We talked to insurgents as well and a delegation of senior leaders talked to Brahamdagh Bugti and Khan of Kalat. They are now willing to talk and efforts are still under way to reach some amicable settlement with them [insurgents]."

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Peace in the Regions:

He said that he would favor a negotiation with the neighboring countries when it comes to the situation in the regions. Iran, Afghanistan, China, and India must be taken on board to possess prosperity and peace, Mr. Baloch stated.

– prepared by Antara Kumar of NewsGram. Twitter: @ElaanaC