Resolution adopted during the two-day National Conference on “People’s Perspective on Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package and 18^th Amendment: Implications, Implementation and Way Forward: June 11-12, 2010, National Library Hall, Islamabad jointly organized by Sungi Development Foundation and Strengthening Participatory Organizations.   

This house representing leaders of national and regional political parties, writers, human rights and peace activists, lawyers, women’s rights activists, academicians, students, intellectuals, media persons and concerned citizens of Pakistan resolved that the Balochs are faced with serious problems such as denial of right to self-determination, increasing militarization of the province and state-sponsored violence against the Baloch, cultural and economic oppression, exploitation of natural and mineral resources and denial of right to freedom of expression.   

Governor Balochistan, Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi, Deputy Chairman Senate, Jan Mohammad Jamali, Senator Raza Rabbani, Senator Mohobbat Khan Marri, Ahmadan Bugti MNA, Tahir Bizinjo, Advocate Habib Jalib, B.M Kutty, Moyiuddin Marri, students and representatives from Balochistan, Sheikh Asad Rahman, and many other speakers representing different walks of life also spoke during the conference.  

Balochistan package, NFC and 18^th Constitutional Amendment   

·         The house critically analyzed different provisions and commitments made by the present federal coalition government in Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package, NFC Award and 18^th constitutional Amendment with the federating units especially Balochistan to address deep-rooted denial of rights and exploitation.     

·          The house resolved that effective implementation is vital to bridge the existing trust-deficit between Federation and Baloch for further dialogue and reconciliation; a peaceful and lasting solution to Balochistan conflict. Some participants from Balochistan rejected these initiatives on the contention of their limited scope and Pakistan’s history of broken promises.     

·          The right of self-determination of Baloch is an inherent and universal human right, as is of other nationalities. T he Baloch peoples' right of self-determination cannot be compromised, and they have the right to demand political, economic and administrative autonomy as per stand-still agreement between governments of Pakistan and Kalat, instrument of accession of 1948 and 1973 constitution of Pakistan.    

Need for political process, consensus and negotiations   

·         The house cautioned of dire consequences for federation if its powerful civil-military bureaucracy created any hurdles in the effective implementation of Balochistan package, NFC and 18^th Amendment.        

·         The housed unanimously resolved that general amnesty should be proclaimed for all Baloch and leadership to address disillusionment and include them in the national political process.    

·         The house demanded that the federation should enter into new social contract with its different federating nationalities through dialogue and political process.    

·         Pashtuns living in Balochistan should be given their due rights and due territorial identity.     

Military operations, militarization and use of force    

·        Expressed concerns over unrelenting military operations involving sophisticated weaponry against Baloch population and the arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances of thousands of Baloch. Military operation is not the solution to a political problem and may yield results like 1971.    

·          Expressed grave concern over increasing militarization of Balochistan and called upon the government to suspend construction of military cantonments. The house particularly demanded restructuring the laws and procedures related to security and law enforcement agencies that give them unbridled powers over civilians.     

·         Raised concerns over the role of state-owned agencies in target killings in Balochistan to give bad name to Baloch people and their leadership.   

·        Demanded closure of dozens of illegal military torture cells and immediate access of media and human rights organizations to all such detention centers.   

·        Expressed deep concerns on the conditions of the Baloch people who have been forced to become internally displaced persons due to the conflict.   

Denial of human and political rights   

·          The house unanimously resolved that the issue of missing persons in Balochistan is most critical as it is a prime cause of trust-deficit as well as a barrier for further negotiations, thus demanded that the missing persons should be released without any further delay.    

·        Cases of target killings and political assassinations be thoroughly investigated and culprits involved in the assassinations of leading political leadership; former Governor and Chief Minister Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, former MPA Nawabzada Balach Marri, Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Lala Munir Ahmed Baloch and Sher Mohammad Baloch and hundreds others, should be prosecuted.  

·        The recently formed judicial commission should be facilitated to independently probe into the cases of disappearances throughout Balochistan and ensure immediate release of all disappeared persons.   

·        The state must establish mechanisms to provide due compensation to those who have been detailed illegally.   

·        The house particularly raised serious concerns over the deplorable situation of women in Balochistan as they continue to be worst victim of exploitation, use of force and denial of their basic rights. The highest mother mortality rate, low literacy ratio, low formal and informal employment rate, high level of poverty, migration and harassment of law enforcement agencies, and discriminatory local traditions are issues to be addressed.   

Exploitation of natural and mineral resources  

·        Expressed concern over the relentless exploitation of Balochistan's natural resources; construction of mega development projects including Gwadar port by the State in clear violation of Baloch human development rights and exclusion from control.   

·        The house demanded that state pay backlog (Rs. 800 billion) gas royalty to Balochistan immediately.     

·        Expressed deep concerns about state-sponsored demographic changes in the province turning Baloch into a minority.   

On other important issues   

·          The house raised concerns over the neglect of government and media towards plight of cyclone victims of Gwadar and demanded government to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation support to the affected.   

·          The House demanded that the state should revert to its initial role of welfare and development state and reduce its irrational defense budgets to put people and human development at the centre of policies. 

·        The house called upon all the national and international media to highlight the above issues in an unbiased manner in order to generate discussion and national awareness on these vitally important matters of national unity, peace, human and sustainable development in the region.