HYDERABAD, April 20: Speakers at the National Peace Conference have demanded an end to military operation in Balochistan and increase in spendings on social structure for welfare of people instead of maximum allocations for military expenditures.

The conference was jointly organised by Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, South Asia Partnership, Pakistan Peace Coalition, Sindh Agricultural and Forestry Workers Coordinating Organisation and Sindh Democratic Forum at a local hotel. The speakers were invited from the four provinces.

Ibrahim Joyo said that there could be peace in the country if all federating units were given their rights. He said that the federating units were demanding social justice which was currently not available to them. Besides, he said, there were some internal issues of each nation in these units.

Balochistan National Party leader Naila Qadri spoke of strategic importance of Balochistan particularly the coastal area of Makran division and areas of Bugti and Daalbandin that have gold and gas reserves. “If I open my heart you will certainly drive me out of this conference”, she said. She said that extra judicial arrests were being made in Balochistan as a result of which migration from Balochistan towards Afghanistan and Iran was taking place.

She said people like Asad Rehman and Rashid Rehman supported Baloch movement but given percentage of Punjab people in army they couldn’t absolve themselves of their responsibility. She said that people of Balochistan were apprehensive of change in their demography in the wake of purchase of land in Gwadar by outsiders.

Yusuf Masti Khan contended that gas was being produced in Balochistan but Sui doesn’t have it. He argued that Nawab Akbar Bugti wanted negotiations but he was murdered and his relatives were not given access to its padlocked coffin.

He said that this was a state comprising four nations who had protection under international laws but if they were deprived of their rights then they have the right to take extreme actions. “We are not against development but we abhor slavery and you need to review your policies”, he said.

Akhtar Hussain said people needed right over their economic resources so that every nation could progress. He said that feudal class and religious forces were the allies of the establishment.

He emphasised need for gathering all secular forces so that industrial development could be ensured. He said that the country doesn’t have agriculture policy although we are an agrarian country.

Prof Dr Shahida Wizarat of Karachi University discussed peace against the backdrop of Afghanistan and Soviet invasion.

The conference adopted resolutions calling upon the government to fulfill promises it had made. It called for provincial autonomy, economic freedom and removal of social disparities, constitutional resolution of contentious issues including water sharing among provinces and NFC award, judicial independence and reinstatement of judges; cuts in defence expenditures and diversion of funds to health, education, poverty and welfare and an end to military operation in Wana and Balochistan.

Karamat Ali of PILER said that people of the federating units were concerned over issues and complaining against each other. Obviously, he said, there was no war but the situation was fraught with danger.

Executive Director of South Asia Partnership (SAP) Mohammad Tahseen urged the civil society organisations to support present government but play a role of watchdog because present parliamentarians include feudal lords who promote slavery. He said that such a check by people could ensure social justice.