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Conflict in Balochistan 2
HRCP expressed grave concern over the fact that militants had placed land mines along roads, and
appealed to all sides in the conflict to give up violence in favour of a negotiated resolution to the complex issues
of the province. It also regretted the death of personnel of the paramilitary forces.
It was however obvious that the people’s perceptions regarding discrimination against them by the
federal government, notably an establishment that they saw as being dominated by the Punjab, had played a
role in formenting the deep sense of resentment and anger found in the province. These sentiments had significantly
contributed to the new conflict. Citizens meeting the HRCP team also expressed the apprehension that the
military wished to establish control over the vast natural resources of Balochistan.
There were alarming accounts of summary executions, some allegedly carried out by paramilitary
forces. HRCP received credible evidence that showed such killings had indeed taken place.
Across Balochistan, the HRCP team found widespread instances of ‘disappearance’, of torture inflicted
on people held in custody and on those feeling from their house and hearth in fear. Cases, that could were
credible, have been detailed in this report. Among the most disturbing is the account of the ‘disappearance’ of
18 labour union leaders of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) in December 2005, while they were in Karachi
to negotiate various issues with the management.
The findings of the high-level HRCP team, and the interviews they conducted with persons who had
been picked up by State agehcies, corroborated a growing number of complaints received from Balochistan
over the past year. Some of the cases reported, that could not be verified during the team’s brief visit, are being
investigated further.
While on their way to Dera Bugti, members of the HRCP team, including Ms Asma Jahangir and Mr
Afrasiab Khattak, faced an attack on their vehicle near Kashmore. Unknown persons unleashed several
volleys of Kalashnikov fire for a period of at least five minutes. The team was particularly disturbed by the
brazen manner in which the attack was carried out and the fact that authorities had not lodged an FIR. The
credibility of a claim reportedly made by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) of carrying out the attack has
been questioned by HRCP.
Tribal feuds
Complicating the prevailing situation in Balochistan were the disagreements and rivalries between
various tribes and sub-tribes. These feuds seemed to be most marked in the Bugti area. HRCP expressed
concern over accounts of abuses by tribal ‘sardars’, including allegations that some of them maintained private
jails, had subjected opponents to deliberate humiliation and had been involved in various criminal acts.
These allegations were refuted by Nawab Akbar Bugti, who was met at a location away from his home
in Dera Bugti.
While HRCP expressed its inability to resolve tribal disputes, it called on the authorities to play a
positive role in this matter, which had over the years obviously created difficulties for the people living in
Balochistan.
Conclusions
At the end of its mission, HRCP reiterated its demand that all parties engaged in the conflict gave up
violence, and opened dialogue on the issues of the province. It was also evident that the only resolution to the
problems facing Balochistan lay in a political settlement, which also addressed the satisfactory issue of provincial
autonomy.
The recommendations based on its findings made by HRCP follow.