By Dr Ishtiaque Ahmed

Balochistan nationalist parties criticise the role of police, Frontier Corps (FC) and other law enforcement agencies on the issue of the missing people, which is one of the root causes of resentment of the people against the security agencies. The visible security apparatus, including police, FC, levies, coastal guards, etc, in Balochistan reflects the amount of political turmoil, lawlessness, and instability in the province. These issues have weakened the state.

The situation has gone from bad to worse largely owing to the fact that the leadership that had the political will and vision to employ were not given the opportunity to work for the progress of the country. Those who lacked the vision were always egged on by ‘treacherous’ powers and political actors to exploit the available resources mercilessly. In all the districts of Balochistan, Sindh and NWFP, the armed forces have been deployed to counter the threat on the ground.

Generally, the political sub-divisions in our country place the urban areas in grade “A” category and the rural areas in grade “B” category. In the “A” category the police are dominant whereas in the “B” category the levies (a sort of tribal police) and FC corps are collectively doing well.

However, the army is called in only in crucial moments such as to deal with target killings, etc. The coastal guards usually safeguard the national waters available to a state as international political maritime space of the oceans. The role of law enforcement agencies cannot be ignored. They put in their efforts in defending the national frontiers, by employing all the available technology and resources.

“While security forces operate in Balochistan, there are other law enforcement agencies that have allegedly kidnapped the “missing persons” and that number has gone beyond 800 people whose whereabouts are still mysteries to be discovered”, says Habib Jalib, General Secretary of Balochistan National Party (BNP), while talking The News on Sunday (TNS). In Balochistan, the role of law enforcement agencies is under scrutiny for abusing their powers.

It is due to the missing people that the situation in Balochistan has deteriorated. The vendetta of the Baloch nationalist parties is growing because the Baloch nationalist leaders have not been taken into confidence. It is obvious in their reaction.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, behind every war there is a violation of rights. So, it is now an established fact that Baloch nationalist parties have been facing deprivation for the last six decades. Today army, which is an important institution of the state, is disliked by common people because the citizens in Balochistan have only seen the men in khaki committing cruelties, killing their near and dear ones. In this bleak security situation, police has suffered the most. They have lost many precious lives while providing peace and security to the citizens of this province. Many others have lost their body parts and are now living disabled lives.

It is the right time for the government to promulgate constitutional laws so that one day there is no need of the security personnel patrolling in the A and B areas of the 26 districts of Balochistan, consuming funds from the national exchequer. (Courtesy: The News on Sunday)