Balochistan Earthquake: Pakistan Continues to Block Foreign Aid

By Qambar Baloch  

Earthquake victims suffer as Pakistan denies foreign aid in Awaran, a district in south-western Balochistan region that was devastated by two major earthquakes in September, claiming more than 600 lives, leaving hundreds injured and more than 100,000 people homeless.  

The Pakistani government barred the UN relief workers as well as international aid group Doctors Without Border despite repeated offers to help in quake-hit areas. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by an army general, maintains it has the situation in Awaran under control.

Dr. Malik Baloch, Chief Minister Balochistan, has urged the federal government to allow foreign aid agencies in Awaran.

‘’Rehabilitation is not possible without foreign aid,” the Chief Minister said.

Pakistan army has maintained a tight control over the relief efforts amid a continuing nationalist insurgency in Balochistan.

The Baloch nationalists fighting the Pakistani government for a separate homeland fear the army may launch fresh operations against them if forces increase deployment in Awaran.

On October 20^th, the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army, insisted in a statement that its presence was only meant for relief work not for initiating an operation’’.

Hammal Haider, a London-based leader of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), ,, disputed the army’s claim

‘‘Last month, the army caused many casualties in Mashkay town by firing rockets. Forces abducted the ten-year old son and many relatives of our party’s secretary general,” he said.

“The government should allow international aid agencies to ensure impartial humanitarian assistance to the victims.’’

The army has, however, authorized banned religious groups, such as the Jash-e-Muhammad and the Jamaat-ud-Dawa to enter Awaran.

Another Baloch leader, Javid Mengal, who currently lives in Dubai, regretted what he described as the “infestation of the religious elements” in Awaran. He said it was a Pakistani ploy to counter the left-wing Baloch nationalists.

Mr. Baloch alleged that the army was using a natural calamity as an opportunity to penetrate radical Islamists in Balochistan to dilute the secular nature of the nationalist movement.

‘’The army has been intensely trying to turn Balochistan into a breeding ground for Islamic extremism,’’ he whined.