Tag Archives: baloch
COMMENT : The aftermath — Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur
Polls in Balochistan have always simply provided the much needed legitimacy to the brutal actions that the establishment had taken to suppress the rightful demands of the Baloch nationalists
The elections in Balochistan will be less than credible because elections held in an environment of terror and harassment, where people are permanently terrorised by the security forces and their proxy death squads can never be free or fair. The turnout will be naturally extremely low due to the overall security situation, which has for long been appalling for the Baloch and Hazaras, and also the boycott. Although the physical turnout will probably be extremely low, the participation figures will be manipulated to give them a semblance of respectability. Incidentally, the turnout even during the un-boycotted and peaceful elections of 2002 was a pathetic 29 percent. The people’s interest in elections in Balochistan waned a long time ago as these brought them more misery and sufferings while only the elected and their families thrived. The extremely successful strikes of May 9 and 10 have put paid to expectations that people can be forced to come out to vote.
Filed under Write-up
Pakistan must give answers on evolving Baloch crisis: Casaca
Geneva, April 16 (ANI): The director of the Brussels-based South Asia Democratic Forum, Paula Casaca, has asked relevant authorities in Pakistan to be more accountable for developments taking place in the country’s Balochistan province, especially in the wake of reports suggesting China’s expansionist role in the region.
In an interview given to ANI in Geneva, Casaca said that it is wholly unacceptable for legitimate government authorities in Pakistan not to give appropriate answers to searching questions on the previaling situation in Balochistan.
Filed under News
