Group A

Resolution on the Baloch National Question and Federal Solution

The Working Group having discussed the historical-political-social nature of the Baloch national question, and having taken note of the colonial origins of the issue, the post-colonial continuity of the same, and the state of the divided Baloch people today in three countries and more sub-regions, recommends that:

1) The Baloch national question will have to be addressed in its totality so that the basic rights and identity of the Baloch as a people are safeguarded in the entire region, and the issue is resolved amicably ensuring regional peace and stability.

2) Federalism had never been given a fair chance in Pakistan to resolve the Baloch national question. Elected, civilian, and military rulers have personified their misrule. There is a need to address the national question in a constitutional way by using peaceful means. The issue can be taken up with the mutual consent of other nations and peoples of Pakistan towards rebuilding the political-legal structure for the country with all nations and peoples enjoying equal rights and representation at all level.

3) Pakistan should be declared a multi-national federal state, which comprises distinct peoples with distinct cultures, languages, and geographical and historical backgrounds.

4) The Baloch national question is an issue of regional peace, which calls for recognition of the essential elements of justice. Gross violations of human rights happen in acute conflict conditions as has happened in Balochistan. Regional peace can be preserved only when legitimate rights of the Baloch people and other peoples are protected and conflicts are resolved peacefully.

5) The right of Baloch people to own resources of their land has to be recognised and the other peoples should also be given the same right. Exploitation of other's resources is impermissible and a violation of basic rights of the people. The right to access over own resources is to be combined to with principles of interdependence and need for help to the backward and deprived peoples.

6) A Truth Commission comprising eminent jurists, academics and representatives of the civil society has to be formed to find out the truth about the sufferings to the Baloch people in the past 54 years, so that responsibility for the same can be determined towards restoration of justice and dignity.

7) The establishment of a truth commission can work when the nations and peoples of Pakistan enter into a new social contract renewing trust on each other and begin journey towards new federalism enriched with new forms of autonomy and new notions of shared sovereignty.

8) Towards establishing such new federalism there is a need for a re-demarcation of internal territorial boundaries between the provinces based on deliberations among different nations and peoples, voluntary consent of affected people, contiguity, and history. Such re-demarcation must be accompanied by guarantees of the rights of national, ethnic, racial, and other minorities.

9) After re-demarcation of national boundaries, the Baloch people will have to defend the rights of the cultural and religious minorities in all circumstances giving them equal rights in all spheres of human activities.

10) The spirit of new federalism will draw from some of the ideals of a con-federal association, shared sovereignty, and the above mentioned need for a new social contract.

11) Balochi language should be adopted as a medium of instructions and education beginning at the elementary level of education initially.

12) The Baloch national question will have to be viewed and analyzed in the broader perspective of a divided people, which will need forms of unions such as the Sami parliament and other such arrangements that combine state existence with inter-union of people spread over more than one country.

13) Free movement of Baloch people within the boundaries of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan should be guaranteed with facilities for travel, trade and cultural exchanges for promoting understanding among different segments of Baloch people in the region.