The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in collaboration with ActionAid Pakistan organized a roundtable, ‘Impact of Conflict on Women in Balochistan’ on June 16. The roundtable was third in a series of roundtables and seminars as part of the ActionAid-CRSS Balochistan Forums.

Ms. Rukhsana Shama of ActionAid initiated the discussion by sharing that 85 percent of the population of Dera Bugti had migrated¶including the minority communities. Sharing the findings of ActionAid studies, Shama shared that the male members of the displaced families were not repatriating back to Dera Bugti in as great numbers as the female members because of security and livelihoods concerns, which was creating its own conditions for the women in those areas who are already vulnerable in a tribal society rife with conflict. Shama agreed with the contention that there was a need for greater people-to-people contact of the Baloch with Pakistanis from other parts of the country.

Dr. Rakshinda Parveen of Creative Anger by Rakhshi was of the view that inclusion of women in the decision-making processes is very important to improve the overall socio-economic conditions of the women in general in Balochistan . She added that the women from among the elite of Balochistan were not only aloof and insensitive, but also powerless and helpless in supporting the needy. Commenting on the non-elite women from among the masses in Balochistan, Parveen was of the opinion that they were more conscious and socially active, but suffered from loss of attention by the donor community. She suggested sustainable solutions to the problems of Balochi women through certain structural adjustments on priority basis, moreover she stressed that the Balochistan package should have a special stress on prioritizing women to make it more inclusive and gender friendly.

Writer, columnist, and independent analyst, Mr. Harris Khalique, argued that tribal society of Balochistan should not be called backward, but pre-industrial. He added that tribal and ethnic heterogeneity should not be construed as a basis for an unnatural and thus short-lived state system rather the weakness of the state system should be attributed to lack of integration and deprivation among a certain population. He claimed that poverty and deprivation among the Baloch were not the cause of conflict in Balochistan but vice versa. Commenting on the status of women in Balochistan, Khalique argued that it is very important to understand that there are various contextual differences within the women groups in Balochistan, but inclusion of women into peace making processes is very important to make decisions on humanitarian grounds.

Prof. Farkhanda Aurangzeb of the Federal Ministry for Human Rights shared that she had a long experience of teaching in the Balochistan University. She argued that the Balochistan conflict was highly politicized. Agreeing with Khalique, Prof. Aurangzeb contended that Baloch people were ¿otherized– because of the discriminatory attitude of the center towards Balochistan. She said that she was disappointed with the top decision-makers of Pakistan for not solving the problems of the Baloch people.She termed both the politicians and the bureaucracy responsible as a cause of conflict in Balochistan. Citing an example of the apathy of the bureaucracy in Balochistan, Prof. Aurgangzeb said that the center once decided to disburse some funds to all the four provinces for computerization of education institutions, the Chief Secretary of Balochistan refused to even accept the funds.

While concluding, it was stated that military, political forces and bureaucracy are responsible for the Balochistan conflict and increased intensity of it. The policy forum participants demanded that Balochistan Rights Package needs operationalization for quick implementation of the promises state has made. While, missing aspect of women should be made part of the package and women should be prioritized for decision making and peace building processes for Balochistan.