Saturday, March 23, 2013

COMMENT : Pouring oil over raging fires — Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur


Gwadar with deeper Chinese involvement will become the new battleground of Baloch nationalism versus the Pakistani establishment and Chinese interests  Believing that Gwadar is defence-wise more secure than Karachi is wishful thinking in an era of modern weapons. Using Gwadar as a springboard for militarisation of the region is sheer injustice to the Baloch people and infringes on their right to peaceful existence. Militarisation of Gwadar not only endangers lives but also deprives the Baloch coastal communities depending on fishing of their opportunities to livelihood. Even without the envisaged expansion there are severe restrictions on their activities and punitive measures like mass damaging of their boats occurs when they disobey the unjustly imposed schedules; nationalists too retaliate by damaging naval launches. In the past, Chinese engineers have been killed and to prevent recurrence, repressive measures against the Baloch will be exponentially increased. Gwadar, as Nizamani himself admits, is much to the advantage of China and fulfils its urgent needs. Gwadar with deeper Chinese involvement will become the new battleground of Baloch nationalism versus the Pakistani establishment and Chinese interests. All attempts at exploitation can only lead to intensification of conflict. Conflict resolution can never be achieved by words alone. The bottom line is that the Gwadar paradigm is that of the exploitation of the Baloch people, an absolute denial of their rights, and militarisation of the region.  Continue Reading http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013%5C03%5C24%5Cstory_24-3-2013_pg3_2

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