Balochistan package presented in parliament

ISLAMABAD (SANA): The government Tuesday unfolded a comprehensive and multi-dimensional special package for Balochistan combining together political, administrative and economic initiatives aimed at addressing longstanding grievances of the province and ameliorate the lot of its people.

The package, called, “Aghaz-e-Haqoob-e-Balochistan”, was presented at a specially convened joint session of the parliament on Tuesday.

The objective is to get input of the elected representatives for a fine tuning of the set of proposed reforms for the province. The package has been prepared by a seven member parliamentary committee headed by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani. Political leadership in the parliament and other stake holders were also included in the consultative process

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister expressed the confidence that the package would lead to a new era of socio-economic development of the province in an atmosphere free of exploitation, terrorism and ignorance. He said the government is committed to make available necessary resources to make Balochistan truly reflective of its real culture and traditions.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani extended an invitation of talks to Baloch leaders outside national mainstream. He said the offer has the backing of the parliament and political leadership of the country.

He hoped that the estranged brothers would respond positive to the hand of conciliation and talks.

He said the joint session would be re-convened after Eidul Azha for detailed discussions on the package.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the Federal government has already undertaken a number of economic initiatives to accelerate the pace of development in Balochistan. These include owning of 17.5 billion rupee overdraft of the province, increase in the PSDP of Balochistan from 42 billion last year to 50 billion rupees this year, permission for utilization this year of 21 billion rupee worth of un-utilized development funds and nine billion rupee of Balochistan package.

The Prime Minister emphasized that we should sink our political differences to strengthen institutions and the democratic system as Pakistan’s future is deeply linked to democracy.

Presenting details of the package, Senator Raza Rabbani said necessary constitutional amendments would be made to strengthen provincial autonomy as demanded by the small provinces especially Balochistan. These would include abolition of the concurrent list of the constitution, abolition of police order and Balochistan Local government Ordinance 2001 from the 6th schedule and effective implementation of article 153 relating to Council of Common Interest.

The package assures effective implementation of articles 154 to 159 and 170 of the Constitution. He said the restructuring of the NFC award criteria is already underway and criteria of inverse population, poverty and resource generation need to be taken into consideration.

Federal government, in consultation with the provincial government, would release all political workers except those involved in heinous crimes.

Immediate to the acceptance of all the proposals contained in the package, political dialogue would be initiated with all major stake holders in the political spectrum of the province, to bring them into the main stream of politics.

The political exiles who return to Pakistan will be facilitated except those involved in acts of terrorism.

The unanimously passed resolutions of the Balochistan Assembly from 2002 till date related to the province would be implemented within the legal framework of the Constitution.

The package envisages that the Balochistan Local government Ordinance needs to be amended by the Provincial government keeping in view the administrative needs of the province.

Referring to administrative measures, he said the Federal government should immediately review the role of federal agencies in the province and stop all such operation that is not related to the pursuit of fighting terrorism.

The package says the Federal government should announce that the presence of the army in Sui will be withdrawn and replaced by the FC. Proposals should not be formulated for the construction of new cantonments except in frontier areas. The construction of new cantonments in Sui and Kohlu to be stopped for the time being. Army will be withdrawn from Sui after handing over the duties to FC. FC will take over the already constructed cantonment at Sui.

A Commission, headed by a sitting member of the superior judiciary from Balochistan, should be constituted in respect of missing persons.

The names of missing persons to be identified and if found to be in custody, those persons against whom there are no charges be released. Those against whom there are charges be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction within seven days for trial. Family members of such persons be informed accordingly and allowed visiting rights.

A fact finding Commission, headed by a retired judge of the high court or the Supreme Court to be constituted to determined the circumstances leading to the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti Shaheed.

Judicial inquiry by the superior judiciary to be ordered to inquire into murder of Baloch political workers namely Ghulam Muhammad, Lala Munir and Munir Ahmad as well as target killing in the province.

In view of the decision of the provincial government, the policy of conversion of ‘B’ areas into ‘A’ areas may be reviewed from time to time. Urban areas may have regular police.

The role of the FC in law enforcement shall be under the Chief Minister of the province. The powers conferred under Customs Act shall be withdrawn. Coast Guard should perform its primary duty of checking smuggling of arms and narcotics along the coast and the border.

There would be judicial enquiry by the superior judiciary into the allotment of land at Gwadar.

Special quota of scholarships by the HEC would be given to students from Balochistan to pursue studies leading up to local or foreign masters and Ph.Ds.

Mian Raza Rabbani, while talking about recommendations pertaining to economic matters, said a number of proposals have been made for rationalization of the royalty formula keeping in view demands of the province.

The Federal government will pay royalty worth 120 billion rupees on Gas Development Surcharge from 1954 to 1991, to be payable over twelve years.

All new mega projects would be initiated with the consent and approvoal of the provincial government.

There will be a free economic zone at Gwadar and all appointments in Gwadar from scale one to sixteen would be from the local population.

Preference would be given to qualified local contractors while awarding contracts related to the port. Two jetties would be constructed on the eastern and western bays. There will be a special development package for Sui area.

The Federal government would create five thousand additional jobs for the province immediately.

The province will be able to purchase up to 20% of the right shares of PPL, OGDCL and Sui Southern when offered in the open market.

The Federal government will transfer 20% from its 30% shares in Saindak project to Balochistan and on completion the project would be exclusively handed over to the province.

There shall be uniform price of gas throughout the country for calculation of gas development surcharge.

Special incentives would be given to the local tribes in Kohlu district to facilitate exploration in the area.

The Federal government would provide one billion rupees for rehabilitation and settlement of the IDPs from Dera Bugti.

A monitoring and implementation mechanism has also been proposed in the package.

Later, the joint session of the parliament was prorogued.