Imran says only sincere public leaders can help to overcome crises. Qureshi urges “balanced” approach and encourages national debate to develop agreement.
PTI founder Imran Khan has warned that unless the “genuine public representatives” are mainstreamed and their concerns are “sincerely heard,” the situation in the southwestern province cannot be changed as insurgency in Balochistan picks steam.
In a message posted on his X account, the former prime minister said that efforts toward unity were more important than repeating the mistakes of 1971 that caused Pakistan to split. The former prime minister stated pure force could never fix this problem and it would only aggravate the crisis and encourage instability.
“…I find great worry about Balochistan’s current state, which is distinguished by explosive increase in terrorism. He stated, “The firing of live ammunition on peaceful protestors, state violence and unlawful arrests are equally deeply troubling. It is the fundamental duty of the state to address the grievances of the people of Balochistan.”
With its foreign policy utter disaster, the puppet government established by false elections has failed on all fronts. We can solve terrorism by talking with Afghanistan; peaceful negotiations are the only way ahead. The PTI, despite tense relations with the Afghan government at the time, directly negotiated with Kabul.
Over three years, the policies we followed effectively eradicated terrorism. But following our time, Biden’s approach was adopted and resulted in many problems; today, the public is suffering in the form of more terrorism.
He also brought up his delayed cases. Mr Khan claims that while processes in the Toshakhana case were likewise “arbitrarily halted,” the Lahore High Bench considering his pre-arrest bail application in May 9 cases was disbanded.
“National communication”
PTI second-in-command Shah Mahmood Qureshi, meantime, demanded a national discussion for consensus and a joint session of parliament over Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“I urge the federal government to reach out to all political parties and national leaders and immediately convene a joint session of the parliament to debate and evolve a consensus on the way forward in Balochistan and KP for the sake of Pakistan,” Mr. Qureshi said in an open letter written on March 23, shared with the media on Thursday.
Mr. Queshi, who spent approximately 590 days imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, said no state could overlook or allow insurgency. “We are facing a foreign-based insurgency coupled with weak government structures, poor governance, and an administrative system in place that is failing to come up to the expectations of the people,” the PTI vice-chairman said.
“We must find and apply a proper and balanced approach by first knowing the facts as they are on the ground.”
Referring to the regularly released declarations about a foreign-backed insurgency by the government ministers, the former foreign minister said the elements supplying weapons, money, and training ought to be revealed right away.
“Diplomatic channels must be used to get worldwide support against violations of our sovereignty,” he underlined.
The PTI leader said the government should not reject empirical data and accept the reality that Balochistan was the least developed unit of the federation, with the highest incidence of poverty, denial of rights and essential services, and too forceful policies had made the young people feel helpless.
The PTI vice-chairman underlined the need of developing a consensus on the rapidly worsening situation in Balochistan by means of a national discussion and underlined the fact that depending just on force would not show results.
Turning away the search for a single military solution for insurgency, he underlined how flexible and adaptable the administration has to be.
“I am advocating an embrace towards those who want to remain a part of the federation and accept the Constitution of Pakistan; I am not advocating leniency towards separatists; they have to be handled firmly.” Furthermore mentioned by Mr. Qureshi were items 10 of the updated National Action Plan (NAP) and item 14 of the old National Action Plan (NAP), which called for reconciliation initiatives in Balochistan.
