T HIS refers to the news item `BAP will protect rights of Balochistan: Jam Kamal` (May 31). The leaders of the newly-formed Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) claim that they have created a political platform aimed at protecting the legitimate rights of the deprived Baloch by giving them their due share in national resources.

The statement, although highly encouraging, seems a latest addition to the long list of political platitudes. I believe that MNAs or MPAs` performance in their respective constituencies is a good parameter to gauge their political will to uplift the people`s living standard.

While listening to the recent speech delivered by the BAP president, Jam Kamal Khan, my mind drifted to all the shallow commitments he had previously made to the people of none other than his very own constituency.

Lasbela district, to which the (now former) state minister belongs, has been facing many problems ranging from a poor social sector to an unstable infrastructure.

The district is one of the largest industrial zones, but a large number of people are jobless. Young graduates are growing increasingly desperate by seeing signs that say `recruitment is closed` on the gates of companies.

The question is: on what moral ground do politicians claim to perform on higher levels, when they fail to deliver on a smaller scale? Had politicians listened to the voices of their constituents, the situation would have been better. If Balochistan has not witnessed any development and has remained downtrodden for the last 70 years, its politicians are responsible for the situation.

When the masses demand quality education, a sound health system, clean drinking water, safety, and jobs, it is the responsibility of the state to provide these basic facilities.

Politicians must realise that people are not buying their empty promises anymore.

The time has come for action if Balochistan is to prosper and move on to the path of progress.

Qamar Lasbela