By Muhammad Ejaz Khan
QUETTA: Politico-nationalist parties should wage a struggle for bringing about a real political system that blocks the way for military intervention in the country's political affairs once and for all.
Speaking at a seminar on "Analysis of the Present Political Situation and Transparent and Fair Elections", organized by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) here on Saturday, speakers said unless there was the rule of people, real democracy could not flourish in the country. They said heavy responsibility rests on the shoulders of politicians to steer the country out of the present political predicament.
Politicians have to ponder over reasons why democracy has been derailed in the country and how the military got a chance to intervene in the country's political affairs, they added.
National Party (NP) President Dr Abdul Haye Baloch, Secretary-General Mir Hasil Bizenjo, Senator Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, former Senators Amanullah Kanrani, Habib Jalib Baloch, former federal minister and HRCP chairman Tahir Muhammad Khan, former provincial minister Bismillah Khan, Dr Hakim Lehri, Ayaz Khan Sawati, Advocate, Maulana Abdul Mateen Akhunzada, Zahir Akhtar, Dr Hakim Baloch, Dr Naimatullah Gichki, Dr Faiz Hashmi, Anwar Sajdi, senior columnist Amanullah Shadenzai and others attended the seminar.
They stated that bickering among politicians and lack of tolerance for each other had provided "non-political elements" an easy excuse to rule the country. They stressed the need for creating political awareness so that people could rise against such non-democratic forces and play a role in the promotion of democracy. They also stressed upon politicians to be sincere with the masses.
Dr Haye Baloch was quite vocal against the lack of people's rule and termed the present parliament mere "rubberstamps". He said people and their representatives never got a chance to rule the country, which had caused sticky situation in the country. He added the parliament had no say and decisions were being made by non-democratic people. The sanctity of democratic institutions had been put at stake, he charged.
He was critical of rulers for not treating all nationalities living in the country equally. The NP chief was also critical of the "inhumane" attitude being meted out to Balochi people in their homeland, saying life had been made difficult for them. Hasil Bizenjo said political parties were not sincere about a change in the country, adding they should aim at getting rid of "dictators".
BNP Habib Jalib Baloch lashed out at the present rulers for violating basic human rights, especially in Balochistan. He said rulers were not even concerned about violations of human rights, rather they were interested in prolonging their rule and that, too, by force. He said resentment was present among the people of Balochistan due to rulers' anti-Baloch policies.
Senator Abdul Malik Baloch said all political, religious and nationalist parties were unanimous on the issue of ending the army's role in the country political affairs. He said there was a need of launching an organised movement for political rights of the people of Balochistan which, he regretted, was lacking at the moment.
