SPY EYES

LAHORE: A fact finding report submitted by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reveals conflicting reports that the pattern of terrorist attacks in Balochistan during the recent past indicate some operational coordination between sectarian militant groups and Baloch insurgents.

The HRCP was not in a position to verify the claim but demanded that such allegations must be taken seriously and investigated fully and, if any evidence of such collaboration was found, it must be made public.

The commission report looked at the terrorist attack on students of a women’s university in Quetta and the subsequent attack at a hospital where the casualties were taken, and also the bombing at Quaid-e-Azam Residency in Ziarat.

It also held meetings with representatives of the new political administration and a cross section of society. There was near unanimity among all interlocutors that formation of the new government was a sign of hope that the province’s problems would be addressed.

The government formation was considered to be a positive step which could lead to an opportunity for ending grave human rights violations in the province, said the report. However, the same interlocutors warned that they did not see many signs of a change in policy within the security and intelligence agencies as the kill-and-dump policy continue.

Political administrators voiced that the law and order situation in Balochistan remained dismal as citizens were living in perpetual fear. They alleged public had little security of life and indignity at the hands of the security forces is routine.

The report went on to say the religious minorities were particularly vulnerable in the province. Kidnapping for ransom remained unchecked and the citizens had no option but to pay money for the recovery of abducted relatives, it added.

The positive aspect, which HRCP mentioned in its report, is the trust shown by public in democratic set-up. Despite threats from insurgents asking people to stay away from the elections, even the political parties that had boycotted the 2008 elections contested the May 2013 election and were backed by the people, said the report.

It was also a resounding vote for democracy and ending the bloodshed in the province, asserted the HRCP report.

On the occasion of the report launch on Sunday, the HRCP Executive Council expressed grave concern over reports of poor relief in Awaran and lack of access and demanded that the situation must be remedied without delay.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2013.