While the Pakistan government makes tall promises to improve the prevailing situation in Balochistan and the nearby tribal areas, genuine political sincerity seems to lacking in fulfilling the promise.
It could be witnessed from the fact that a high-powered committee formed to implement reforms in the province has held only two meetings since its establishment around eight months ago -- on June 23, 2005.
The committee was to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the parliamentary committee on Balochistan, which include clearance of gas royalty arrears, revision of the Concurrent List, National Finance Commission (NFC) award, provincial autonomy and development of gas-rich areas.
Official sources say PML leaders had advised the country's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that the implementation committee should hold monthly meetings.
According to them, the delay was caused because Maj Gen Farooq Ahmed, a member of the implementation committee, was made federal relief commissioner after the October 8 earthquake.
This left him little time for the committee.
Sources said that the prime minister had also been advised to replace Gen Ahmed with someone who has ample time to work towards upliftment of the province.
In June last, the parliamentary committee on Balochistan had approved the recommendations of its subcommittee and announced the formation of the special committee to implement them.
{{/usCountry}}In June last, the parliamentary committee on Balochistan had approved the recommendations of its subcommittee and announced the formation of the special committee to implement them.
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