In the context of grave situation in Balochistan, Khudi organized a dialogue engaging youth from Balochistan to discuss the nuances of the problem and to make their voices heard across the country.
The event was attended by a large gathering of youth mostly from Balochistan and was chaired by Dr. Asim Sajjad Akhtar, a prominent academic for Quaid-e-Azam University. Speakers included Dr. Ishaq Baloch, senior vice president of National Party of Balochistan; Sajjad Hussain Changazi, a Hazara social activist from Quetta; and Imran Bazojai, a Pashtun student leader from Balochistan.
In his introductory remarks Dr Asim Sajjad lamented that we have been ignoring the Balochistan issue for decades which has made things worse in the region. He was of the view that the Pakistani state has always tried to suppress the ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity in different parts of the country. The slogan of ‘one language, one nation’ greatly damaged national unity so much so that it ultimately led to the breakup of Pakistan in 1971. The way out of this contradiction between national and regional identities is to accept the differences and diversity. He feared that the coercive sate policies will yield horrible results.
Dr. Ishaq Baloch emphasized that in order to understand this complex problem correctly we need to look it in historical perspective objectively. He opined that Pakistan was not created in the name of religion. Its creation was in fact the result of denial of federalism in the united India as the autonomy of Muslim majority states was not accepted. He suggested that we need a paradigm shift in the state policies towards Balochistan if we have to resolve this problem permanently. The state will have to accept our ethnic, linguistic and cultural identity. He also added that state violence against Baloch nationalists must stop now and Baloch people should be given complete rights over their land and resources.
Sajjad Hussain Changazi underscored the need to have better communication between different ethnic groups in Balochistan. He pointed out that some elements in the establishment are trying to paint Balochistan issue as an ethnic conflict among Balochs, Pashtuns and Hazaras which is totally wrong.
He further added that more than 700 Hazaras have been killed since 2000 and Lashker-e-Jhangvi, a militant sectarian outfit, is responsible for the genocide of Shia Hazara. He chastised that the state is not doing enough to protect Hazara community form this barbarity.
Imran Bazojai said that Baloch and Pashtun are the two major stake holders in the province but the Pashtuns have always been ignored in the debate on the issue. He highlighted that if Pakistan is to survive as a viable state then it must give autonomy to its provinces. He further said that Pashtuns have always stood for rights of the Baloch and all other suppressed groups and will continue to do so in future.