Opinion The Baloch question

After the US State Department expressed concerns about the human rights situation in Balochistan a few days ago,there has been much speculation about the implications of Washington’s political empathy to an avowedly separatist movement in Pakistan.

Until now,Delhi and Kabul have often been the targets of Pakistan’s criticism of foreign meddling in Balochistan. Recall the India-Pakistan summit at Sharm el-Sheikh in 2009,when Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani insisted on a reference to non-interference in Balochistan in the joint statement. The United States has tended to keep itself out of the regional arguments on Balochistan. At least until now.

In an interaction with the press on Twitter in mid-January,a spokeswoman of the State Department,Victoria Nuland said: “The United States is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Balochistan,especially targeted killings,disappearances,and other human rights abuses.” In response to a question from a Baloch activist,Nuland underlined the complexity of the issue and affirmed that “the best way forward is for all the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.”

“We take the allegations of human rights abuses very seriously,and we have discussed these issues with Pakistani officials and also urged them to really lead and conduct a dialogue that takes this issue forward.”

Coming at a time when US-Pakistan relations are going through a difficult phase,it will be tempting to see Nuland’s statement as part of a new grand design in Washington. Delhi should resist that temptation.

Washington has enough problems with Pakistan and would not want to add yet another to the troubled ties. With the Afghan endgame delicately poised,Washington needs support from the Pakistan army in finding a reconciliation with the Taliban and an honourable exit.

The Obama administration has also been pressing Pakistan to allow it to open a US consulate-general in Quetta,the capital of Balochistan,where the Taliban leaders have taken refuge after 9/11 and the US military intervention in Afghanistan. Islamabad is said to be resisting the proposal. Enthusiastic support for the Baloch will make it even less likely that Washington will get to establish a diplomatic presence in this critical province.

New support

Nuland’s statement,however,signals Washington’s growing awareness of Balochistan and its strategic significance for the future of the Af-Pak region. Amidst mounting repression in Balochistan,Washington has seen a stepped-up campaign by the Baloch diaspora.

Until recently,the noted journalist and commentator,Selig Harrison,was the lone voice in Washington speaking up for the Baloch. Harrison’s book on Baloch nationalism,published three decades ago,remains one of the few volumes on the subject. More recently,two Republican Congressmen Louie Gohmert (Texas) and Dana Rohrabacher (California,) who are critical of the Obama administration’s policy on engaging the Taliban,called on Washington to consider carving Balochistan out of Pakistan to defeat religious extremism in the region.

Leading the Baloch lobbying effort in Washington is Dr Wahid Baloch,president of the Baloch Society of North America. Dr Baloch wants to set up a Congressional Baloch Caucus in the next two years.

Khan of Kalat

On behalf of Suleman Daud,the current holder of the title “Khan of Kalat”,Dr Baloch recently announced the decision to convene a unity conference of the Baloch in London in March.

The Khan of Kalat is the hereditary ruler of the kingdom of Kalat that is now part of Balochistan. After the partition was announced and the princely states asked to choose between the two successor states,the Khan of Kalat acceded to Pakistan,after much initial hesitation.

But Jinnah’s promise of substantive autonomy to Balochistan was never honoured by his successors,resulting in a series of rebellions in the province that have been put down with great brutality. Suleman Daud spoke at the previous unity conferences at Bangkok in 2010 and in Washington last year.

The agenda of the London conference apparently includes bringing all Baloch diaspora groups under one umbrella and drafting the preliminary constitution of an independent Balochistan. The conference is also expected to consider possible approaches to the international community,including the United Nations.

The writer is a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research,Delhi