National Party president and former Chief Minister of Balochistan, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, has said that federal and establishment interference in Balochistan’s matters is fueling growing distrust among the Baloch people, particularly in the wake of the new Mines and Minerals Act.
Addressing a gathering, Dr. Malik said that repeated violations of the 1973 Constitution regarding mineral resources have caused deep unease among the people of Balochistan. He warned that such policies not only undermine Balochistan’s constitutional rights but are also contributing to worsening poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment. He stressed that practical steps must be taken to assure the people of Balochistan that they are the rightful owners of resources such as Saindak, Reko Diq, and Gwadar, and that the benefits of these projects will be used for their prosperity.
He also expressed serious concern over the tightening of rules around border trade, which he said has been a source of livelihood for over three million people since before the creation of Pakistan. According to Dr. Malik, the introduction of new regulations, taxes, and bureaucratic hurdles has made border trade nearly impossible for locals, leading to what he described as a “looming humanitarian crisis.” He claimed that while locals do the labor, most of the profits are siphoned off by officials and privileged classes through extortion and corruption.
Condemning the recent arrests of political activists, including women, Dr. Malik called the crackdown undemocratic and equated it to a form of civil martial law. He criticized the use of colonial-era laws such as the Fourth Schedule and the Maintenance of Public Order Act (3MPO) ordinance to harass and detain political workers. He warned that such tactics were pushing the state and the people of Balochistan further apart and urged restraint to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
Dr. Malik also criticized the recent extensions of contracts with companies like Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Saindak, calling them unjust. He said these agreements are being signed in the absence of genuine public representatives, deepening the sense of alienation among the people of Balochistan.
He further stated that incidents of enforced disappearances and the recovery of mutilated bodies are on the rise and demanded an immediate halt to such practices. Dr. Malik called for the release of all political workers, including women, the withdrawal of the Fourth Schedule, simplification of border trade procedures, and the immediate dismantling of the Talaar check post.