Agenda Balochistan: edit in The News, July 30

The prime minister, possibly reacting to criticism that he has been too slow to deal with the problems of Balochistan, has said he had accepted the proposals forwarded to him by a parliamentary committee set up to assess what was needed. However, while Mr Gilani has focused on the lack of development in the province and agreed that it had suffered 62 years of neglect, he seems unclear how to tackle the sensitive political issues that underlie this. For instance, he has said he does not know yet whether a traditional ‘jirga’ or an all parties’ conference on Balochistan should be called to enter into discussion with its people. We must hope the final verdict goes in favour of a meeting of parties. Balochistan is represented by a range of such entities.

There seems to be no reason to resort to the ‘jirga’ and every cause to promote a thinking that moves beyond it. The nationalists need also to be brought into the dialogue process. This will be a controversial decision, given that leaders affiliated with such groups have made increasingly provocative statements in recent months. But we must hope the government demonstrates the courage and wisdom necessary to make it regardless of this. There is also a need for urgency. The gunning down of academics, and now others in Balochistan, possibly on the basis of their ethnicity, is alarming. It opens up the possibility of far greater violence ahead. The simmering dangers in Balochistan act as a source of instability and disharmony. They must be addressed for the sake of the people of that province and indeed for the sake of the country as a whole. http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=190506

PC or jirga on Balochistan: PM still undecided: The Daily Times, July 29
ISLAMABAD: The recommendations forwarded by the parliamentary committee on Balochistan have been approved, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday, adding he would decide whether to conduct an all-parties conference or a traditional jirga after consultations with the people of the province.

After inaugurating a joint pharmaceutical venture between Ferozsons of Pakistan and Bago of Argentina, he told reporters the people of Balochistan felt deprived due to 62 years of neglect. He said his government would make every effort to remove this sense of deprivation. “We formed the parliamentary committee to review the pledges made to the Baloch people and to try and remove their grievances. I have been chairing the meetings of this committee,” he added. www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\07\29\story_29-7-2009_pg1_1