Balochistan in State of War-Like Conditions; Both Sides Pursuing Military Strategy, Not Ready for Talks: Dr Abdul Malik Baloch
TURBAT: National Party chief and former Balochistan chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating situation in the province, saying that both sides are pursuing a war strategy and are not prepared to engage in dialogue.
Speaking during a visit to the renovated auditorium and under-construction new building of the Turbat Press Club, Dr Abdul Malik said the situation in Balochistan had deteriorated to an alarming level, with increasing incidents of young people being killed and people going missing.
He said incidents of theft, robbery, kidnapping for ransom and extortion had also increased, while ordinary citizens were facing severe uncertainty and fear.
“Balochistan has effectively entered a state of war,” he said, warning that the greatest loss from the continuing confrontation would be suffered by the Baloch people.
Referring to a recent seminar held in Islamabad, the former chief minister said the discussions there also indicated that the situation in Balochistan was far from normal, as neither side appeared willing to engage with the other.
Dr Abdul Malik stressed that negotiations and political dialogue were the only way to resolve the province’s problems. He warned that the continued adoption of military strategies by both sides was making the situation increasingly complicated and dangerous.
He recalled that in the past, when security conditions deteriorated in remote areas of Kech or Turbat, people would move toward Turbat city because they considered it safer. “But now the situation in Turbat itself is deteriorating. Where will the people go?” he questioned.
He expressed concern that if the conflict intensified further, people could be forced to leave their own areas and become refugees.
Dr Abdul Malik said the statements coming from both sides and their current strategies had created fears that the Baloch people might ultimately be displaced from their ancestral areas. He warned that unless the situation was brought under control, crimes such as theft, robbery, kidnapping for ransom and extortion could become even more serious.
The National Party leader said his party had focused on establishing and strengthening institutions since its inception. He stressed that institutions in education, healthcare, freedom of expression, language and culture were essential for the formation and long-term stability of nations.
Regarding the Turbat Press Club, Dr Abdul Malik said the facility needed further expansion and improved amenities. He suggested relocating the football club and other offices around the press club to alternative locations so that the entire area could be dedicated to the press club.
He announced that if his government remained in office, he would seek to allocate Rs100 million in the next budget for further facilities and development work at the Turbat Press Club.
He said Turbat Press Club was the second-largest press club in Balochistan after Quetta and therefore needed to be developed in line with modern journalistic requirements.
Dr Abdul Malik also called for greater opportunities for young people in journalism, saying the press club needed more journalists and should provide membership to emerging young professionals so they could highlight the issues facing the region effectively.
He further emphasized the need to strengthen coordination and professional links between Turbat Press Club and major press clubs across Pakistan, saying such cooperation could provide local journalists with greater professional opportunities.
National Party leaders including Waja Abul Hassan Baloch, former Senator Kehda Akram Dashti, Dr Muhammad Noor Baloch, Syed Mulla Barkat Baloch, Turbat Deputy Mayor Nisar Ahmed Baloch, provincial media secretary Hafeez Ali Bakhsh and other party leaders and workers were also present.
