CSS Current Affairs | Demands of Resistance Movements in Balochistan: Logical or Illogical

The following question of CSS Current Affairs is solved by Ayesha Maqsood under the supervision of Howfiv’s Pakistan Affairs and Current Affairs Coaches. She learnt how to attempt 20 marks question and essay writing from Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Pakistan’s best CSS and PMS English essay and precis teacher with the highest success rate of his students. This practise question is attempted on the pattern taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory and optional subjects for years, and uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.

Outline

1-Introduction

2-Comprehending the situation that emphasizes Balochis to start Local Resistance Movements, like HAQ DO TEHREEK

3-Throwing light on the objectives and ideology of the HAQ DO TEHREEK Movement

4-Logical Reasoning behind the demand of Local Resistance Movement “HAQ DO TEHREEK”

• ✓ Promoting political stability by gaining representation in national politics, self-determination, and autonomy, ensuring accountability and good governance
  • Case in point: Resolution 15714 UNGA of the United Nations General Assembly (1960), Article 1 of the International Convent on Civil and Political Rights (1996), Article 1 (2), Article 55 of the UN Charter (1945), International Court for Justice, and Access to Information Law of UNESCO providing the right to self-determination, self-autonomous, accountability, and good governance  

• ✓ Fostering economic stability by controlling natural resources, ensuring economic development and investment, and distributing equal revenue
  • Case in point: Articles 38 and 158 of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), Balochistan Natural Resources Authority Act (2014), Article 2 of the International Covenant on Economics, Social and Culture Rights (1996), Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in the Reko Diq case (2013), Article 1 of United Nations Declaration on the right of development, and Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in the case of Province of Balochistan v. Federation of Pakistan (2012) giving the right of controlling natural resources, economic development and investment and distribution of equal resources 

• ✓ Encouraging social sustainability by addressing social injustices and social discrimination and empowering marginalized communities
  • Case in point: The United Nations Declaration on Social Progress and Development (1969), Articles 25 and 38 of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), Article 1 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Radical Discrimination (1965), and Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in the case of Muhammad Salimullah v. Federation of Pakistan (2014) giving the right of social sustainability, bring social justice by removing social injustices and discrimination, and empower marginalized communities
• ✓ Boosting cultural preservation by protecting the Baloch legacy and promoting cultural diversity
  • Case in point: The UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001), Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), Article 28 of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), Pakistan’s Cultural Heritage Preservation Act (1994), and Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in the case of Lahore Gymkhana Club v. Government of Punjab (2015) giving the right of cultural preservation by protecting the Baloch legacy and promote cultural diversity

5-On what grounds do the opponents argue that HAQ DO TEHREEK is illogical?

• ✓ Threatening Pakistan’s territorial integrity and violating the constitution
• ✓Controlling resources led to Economic Instability

6-Remedial Measures to overcome the despotic situation in Balochistan

7-Critical analysis

8-Conclusion

Answer to the Question

Introduction

Movements demanding rights for socio-economic sustainability, political stability, and cultural preservation are crucial to restoring peace and stability in the region, as they amplify the voices of the suppressed people who are often overlooked in their quest for rights within society and the state. Retrospective research-based studies highlight the significance of these movements in combating human rights abuses by ensuring access to the rights to life, happiness, and prosperity. Sadly, Balochistan, the Province of Pakistan, has been facing inequality and deprivation in all domains of life, including social, political, economic, and cultural, since Pakistan’s inception. After observing this oppressive situation, some local leaders gathered and initiated local resistance movements, becoming the voice of the innocent people. Moreover, HAQ DO TEHREEK has been included in these movements, and the demands of this movement include self-determination and self-autonomy for Balochistan, economic development and resource control, human rights protection and accountability, protection of the Baloch identity and culture, protection of fishermen’s rights, and promotion of trade and commerce along the Iran-Pakistan border. However, the opponents argue that the demands of the leaders of the HAQ DO TEHREEK movement are illogical by putting allegations on them as these movements have ties with militant groups and international funds are only for making the condition of Balochistan worse. Moving ahead, various case studies, laws, and international laws support the demands of the HAQ DO TEHREEK and consider them logical. The appealing demands are the rights of people living in the society and the state. Hence, the demands of Local Resistance movements, such as HAQ DO TEHREEK, are logical, and laws also support the timely fulfillment of these demands if one does not want to fall into the polluted water.

Comprehending the situation that prompted the Balochis to start Local Resistance Movements, such as the HAQ DO TEHREEK.

Since Pakistan’s inception, Balochistan has been deprived of its innate rights. The situation that emphasizes Balochi to start the Local Resistance Movement, resulting in the initiation of the HAQ DO TEHREEK Movement given below.

Throwing light on the ideology and objectives of the Haq Do Tehreek Movement.

Before delving into the topic, it is essential to shed light on the Movement’s ideology, “Haq Do Tehreek.” The situation in Balochistan has become intolerable. Therefore, this movement is based on some ideologies, including Nationalism which signifies the Baloch identity and self-determination, Democracy puts stresses on the advocacy for democratic principles and human rights, Social justice, which primarily focuses on economic empowerment and resource control, and lastly, Anti-Imperialism that emphasized the opposition to external interference and exploitation. Objectives are introduced based on the principles of the movement’s ideology, which emphasizes gray-area demands for locals, as outlined below. 

Logical Reasoning behind the demand of Local Resistance Movement “HAQ DO TEHREEK”

The demands of the HAQ DO TEHREEK are logical, and various case studies, laws, and acts support these demands, considering them logical.

• Promoting political stability by gaining representation in national politics, self-determination, and autonomy, ensuring accountability and good governance

Political stability and good governance have been crucial for the region. However, the World Bank and Amnesty International Report (2020) highlighted political instability due to the lack of self-determination, accountability for human rights abuses, and poor governance in Balochistan. After observing the devastating situation in Balochistan, the leaders of HAQ DO TEHREEK have demanded the right to self-determination, self-autonomy, accountability, and good governance. This movement has been trying to bring political stability to the region of Balochistan. Moreover, Resolution 15714 UNGA of the United Nations General Assembly (1960), Article 1 of the International Convent on Civil and Political Rights (1996), Article 1 (2), Article 55 of the UN Charter (1945), the International Court of Justice, and the Access to Information Law of UNESCO have provided the right to self-determination, self-autonomous, accountability, and good governance. Thus, this movement has been working towards the goal of achieving political stability in Balochistan.

• Fostering economic stability by controlling natural resources, ensuring economic development and investment, and distributing equal revenue

Economic stability is a crucial factor in the development of a state. However, “Pakistan’s Economic Performance: 1947-2015″ by Ishrat Husain and”Balochistan Economic Report 2019” by the World Bank highlight that economic instability in Balochistan has severely impacted economic sustainability due to the unequal distribution of resources. After observing this situation, the leaders of HAQ DO TEHREEK demanded the right to control the resources of Balochistan and ensure economic development, as well as the equal distribution of resources. This movement has been trying to bring financial stability to the region. Moreover, Articles 38 and 158 of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), Balochistan Natural Resources Authority Act (2014), Article 2 of the International Convenant on Economics, Social and Culture Rights (1996), Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in the Reko Diq case (2013), Article 1 of United Nations Declaration on the right of development, and Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in the case of Province of Balochistan v. Federation of Pakistan (2012) have given the right of controlling natural resources, economic development and investment and distribution of equal resources. Thus, this movement has been attempting to bring economic stability to the region and alleviate the despotic situation by providing various opportunities to the local people.

• Encouraging social sustainability by addressing social injustices and social discrimination and empowering marginalized communities

Social sustainability plays a role in protecting human rights and boosting social justice. However, the Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and Amnesty International Report (2019 and 2020) highlighted the social injustices and human rights abuses in the Balochistan region. Therefore, the leaders of HAQ DO TEHREEK have demanded the right to social sustainability by removing social injustices and human rights abuses. This movement has been working to promote social sustainability in the region. Moreover, the United Nations Declaration on Social Progress and Development (1969), Articles 25 and 38 of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), Article 1 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Radical Discrimination (1965), and Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in the case of Muhammad Salimullah v. Federation of Pakistan (2014) have given the right of social sustainability, bring social justice by removing social injustices and discrimination, and empower marginalized communities. Thus, HAQ DO TEHREEK has been working at its best to promote social sustainability and protect human rights.

• Boosting cultural preservation by protecting the Baloch legacy and promoting cultural diversity

The connection between people and their culture is crucial in integrating them into the state’s development. However, the World Bank and Amnesty International Report (2020) highlighted the manipulation of the Balochi legacy. Therefore, the leaders of HAQ DO TEHREEK have demanded the right to cultural reservation by protecting the Baloch legacy, including language, culture, and traditions, and promoting cultural diversity. This movement has been trying to preserve culture. Moreover, the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001), Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), Article 28 of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), Pakistan’s Cultural Heritage Preservation Act (1994), and Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in the case of Lahore Gymkhana Club v. Government of Punjab (2015) have given the right of cultural preservation by protecting the Baloch legacy and promote cultural diversity. Thus, this movement has been trying to preserve culture, and this demand is logical.

On what grounds do the opponents argue that HAQ DO TEHREEK IS ILLOGICAL?

• Threatening Pakistan’s territorial integrity and violating the constitution

The opponents argue that the HAQ DO TEHREEK’s demand for independence is illogical, as the motive behind this movement is threatening Pakistan’s territorial integrity and violating the constitution. However, the annexation signed in 1948 was considered illegitimate. Moreover, Self-determination and self-autonomy are the fundamental rights of the local people living in Balochistan. Article 1 of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan gives the right of self-determination by ensuring fundamental rights to all citizens. According to the UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (1960), self-determination is the people’s basic right. This resolution demonstrates that if any party or person asserts the right to self-determination, this demand will be fulfilled, as it is the state’s responsibility to provide basic rights and not allow anyone to justify deprivation. Thus, demanding the right to self-determination and self-autonomy can never threaten Pakistan’s territorial integrity and violate the constitution, and this is not illogical.

• Controlling resources led to Economic Instability

The opponents argue that HAQ DO TEHREEK’s demands are illogical, as control of resources is not a viable demand, as it would lead to a discriminatory situation resulting in economic instability. However, resource control is the most effective way to eliminate economic instability by distributing resources equally among all provinces. In this scenario, the aggression between provinces, which takes resource distribution and control as matters of concern to be addressed promptly, would be minimized due to an equal distribution of wealth and the promotion of economic development among local populations. According to the United Nations Development Programme’s 2018 report, “Natural Resource Management in Balochistan,” the province of Balochistan, Pakistan, is highlighted as experiencing economic disparity and instability due to the federal government’s mismanagement of resources, resulting in unequal wealth distribution. Thus, controlling resources for economic stability is the logical demand appealed to by the HAQ DO TEHREEK movement.

Remedial Measures to overcome the despotic situation in Balochistan

• To alleviate the crisis in Balochistan by taking immediate action of cessation of military operations, releasing detained political leaders and activists, ensuring the establishment of a reconciliation commission, adding provisions of compensation to victims of human rights abuses, and ensuring restoration of necessities like clean water, electricity, education, and health
• To bring prosperity by reviving constitutional reforms, giving economic development packages, increasing representation of Balochistan in national institutions, and establishing the Provincial Police Force
• To promote stability in the region by encouraging political reconciliation, empowering the economy through controlling resources, and promoting social justice and cultural preservation

Critical Analysis

Critically, two schools of thought are present in this movement. One presents logical reasoning behind this movement, while the other presents statements opposing it and considers the demands of this movement illogical. However, this movement has been working to achieve socio-economic sustainability, political stability, and cultural preservation by demanding control over natural resources, representation in national institutions, equitable distribution of revenue, protection of the Baloch legacy, and promoting trade and commerce. Various international and national laws and acts also prove this movement logically. The opponents have been trying to prove it illogical by making allegations about this movement, making statements that this movement has ties with militant groups and international funds are supported for violence and human rights abuses. However, various reports prove that these allegations are only illogical. Hence, HAQ DO TEHREEK has been attempting to secure constitutional rights from the state by demanding them.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the key demands of the movement “HAQ DO TEHREEK” to bring socio-economic sustainability, political stability, and cultural preservation are logical, and various laws support these demands. However, despite the opponents’ statements, the truth cannot be denied: the opposition has been trying to suppress these movements, and allegations about the movement serve as the cherry on top. Cackling at the arguments between both parties is doing nothing but bringing a more despotic situation in the region; opponents are only becoming obstacles for this movement to achieve its goals. Hence, local resistance movements like HAQ DO TEHREEK’s demands are not illogical but a chance to pave the way for bringing peace and stability to Balochistan.

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