THIS refers to the report ‘Bizenjo stays as MPAs fail to table no-trust motion’ (May 27). Out of 16 governments formed as a result of as many general elections since 1970 in Balochistan, rare have been those who could complete their terms. The recent move to unseat the incumbent was almost identical to earlier moves where the chief ministers were ousted by members of their own party.

In the entire parliamentary history of Balochistan, a single party has never achieved a two-third majority in the provincial assembly. The province has always been ruled by coalition governments which remain beholden to the interests of their political allies.

It has often been observed that most of the assembly members are ‘electables’ who switch political loyalties to mainly advance their own interests.

These ideologically-deprived political associations are particularly based on personal material gains and are indifferent to larger public issues.

Besides, dynastic politics ensure the constant supply of ‘electables’ and a large number of politicians who do not get questioned over their performance, political ideals and affiliations.

Then there are the nationalist parties which dominate provincial affairs and have a large support base in the politically-conscious cross-section of the public.

These nationalist parties are stern critics of the political approach of the ‘electables’ and blame them for undermining the greater political good of the province. Islamabad also gets blamed for remote-controlling the affairs of the provincial assembly and cherry-picking those who form the provincial government, undermining true democratic growth.

These factors demonstrate the limited control the chief ministers have had over their own cabinets. All this, understandably, contributes to the overall political instability in the province that has been for the last seven decades tormented by terrorism and socio-economic depravity, with the two elements, at least to some extent, being interlinked.

To improve the situation, all stakeholders will have to pledge to abide by and uphold the rule of law, and not interfere in the workings of democratic institutions of the province. The political parties, however, will also have to bring change from within — by holding regular intra-party elections and holding spurious members accountable for their actions. Parties should also involve youth, as it would bring in new faces and ideas, besides adding vigour to their missions.

Meanwhile, political workers and the public must also be willing to hold the political institutions and parties accountable for their actual and claimed progress by carefully scrutinising their election manifestoes and comparing it with work done on ground. Having said that, it is imperative that elections in the province are free and fair, otherwise any exercise carried for the advancement of democracy would be in vain.

Unless all stakeholders abide by the rule of law and use the Constitution to resolve the true grievances of the people of the province, instead of resorting to brutal short-term and ham-fisted measures, true democracy will not return to Balochistan.

Aftab Aslam Baloch
Panjgur

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2022