Unrest in Balochistan
 

The Balochi Sardars are again making news. This time again they are threatening an insurgency. Balochistan has a troubled history since independence. The Khan of Kalat delayed accession to Pakistan till the last. Then again in early 60's the army had to be used to put down a rebellion in Kalat. The most prolonged period of unrest was in 1970s when the army had to fight an insurgency for over 3 years before it was crushed. During this period Mr. Bhutto announced the abolition of Sardari system. The system had numerous demerits, but it was a system that the common people were used to. They had their decisions made for them, their cases decided and so on. While it was a good step to abolish the system, we failed to provide an alternative that could function in the peculiar environments. Considering the vastness of the province, the paucity of communication means the common man was deprived of simple decision making process. A vacum was thus created. We should have moved swiftly to fill that vacum with a system that took into account the remoteness of the area, its backwardness and lack of education. In this vacum the Sardars continued to operate in one form or the other. A lot of development activity also took place in the province during this period, but it was not enough to make up for years of neglect. While the Pushtoon doimated part of Balochistan has developed to an extent, the remaining province still lags far behind. In other provinces there exists a disparity between urban and rural areas, but within limits. In Balochistan this disparity is huge and is the main cause of grieviance. This disparity has to be swiftly addressed or else we would be fighting another insurgency.
The second point is about the role of Baloch sardars. Successive governemnts and rulers (without exception) have encouraged them to shun nationalist tendencies and tried to bring them into the mainstream of national politics. The carrot and stick policy to win them over has given them a sort of nusiance value. As the situation stands they are still a political force and it is not going to be easy to bypass them. We cannot dismantle a centuires old system overnight. It is a gradual process that will take a few generations to complete, unless of course you have a sort of revolution like the French or the Communist take over of Russia for which conditions do not exist. The Sardars continue to enjoy influence in the absence of any meaningful alternative. The situation thus requires to be dealt with in a tactful manner. We need to be patient for the benefits of mega projects to start flowing in and also show magnanimity .

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

If the biggest demand was to provide jobs, education, health care and social services in general to the balochistan, i cant see anyone arguing agianst that. The way i see it, there is a huge mistrust between Balochistan and the center. So the Baloch nationalists seem to want a decentralised system, whereby they are pnly prepared to allow 2 things for the cnter :

1. Foreign policy
2. Defence

Other than that, they want to control all the resources in Balochistan themselves, including Gas & Oil. They have no intention of forwarding any revenues to the center.

Then they go a step further. They say that any person who locates to any area of Balochistan should not be able to vote in balochistan i.e these people can not have any political representation in balochistan, right down to local level. So a joe blogg who works near gawadar for 20 years shifting cement form A to B, has no method of making his voice heard if he has a problem.

I dont know how this issue is going to be solved with balochistan but whoever does it, good uck to them. They have a hard time ahead of them.

Rafaqat

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Rafaqat,

I don't think the Balochis want to keep all of the revenues to themselves. They want more of the revenue to be spent locally which is correct in my opinion. Pakistan should be a loose federation with enough economic autonomy for the provinces so they can cater to their own needs. This is the same way things are in the US. With 5 million people in the province, there is not much that would be required to bring the provice up to par in terms of infrastructure etc. with Punjab and Sind.

The concern is what happens when the provinces appropriate money to the center. Will it be enough etc. This is what needs to be worked out. Otherwise this resentment in the various provinces will grow. The absurdity of this policy is as such that even revenue from EP used to go to WP first and then a fraction was disbursed by the center back to EP. This is one of the major reasons for the resentment. I think the solution is to give more economic empowerment to the provinces. As you said this will be challenging due to the external threats and the debt repayment etc...however this should be considered.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Syed,

I think it was Mengal who came on ARY to talk to Dr.Shahid Masood (do correct me if i am wrong). Mengal criticised the fact that the money sharing formula is based on population. His argument was that if we are paid according to how many people live in Balochistan, then Balochistan's contribution to the center should also be based on how many people live in Balochistan.

Interestingly, while he had some genuine complaints with the center, he could not hide his glowing hatred of Punjab. This aspect gets on my nerves, as i keep hearing these tunes from all the nationalists from NWFP, Balochistan and Sindh.
I have actually endured these attitudes at personal level also. There was an overseas student from UAE but originally from NWFP. In front of our Brazilian, Arab and various other european friends, he claimed that all Pathans in Pakistan really hate Punjabis. While he thought it was really cool, i felt greatly humiliated.

So i would like to discuss this Punjab aspect in the whole scenario. Because Balochistan can be given more money, jobs, infrastructure etc but why does there exist an inter province animosity ? is it genuine ? i mean .....can people be honest and still say that its punjab that i causing problems to other provinces ?

Can this animosity be eliminated ?

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Rafaqat,

You may find the article below from The News interesting.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-d...05/oped/o5.htm

Till the time there is democratic leadership in Punjab that doesn't support military, bureaucratic and feudal interests, it will be difficult to restrain Punjab bashing

The writer is Director, Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Department of

International Relations, University of Karachi.

"It is naive to think that international forces who's economic and defense interests are involved in this country will overlook the situation. We must go to the depth of the problem. We are asking something of a party which is responsible for depriving us of our national identity and rights and working for a greater Punjab." Founder of the Balochistan National Party, Sardar Ataullah Khan Mengal.

Punjab bashing is not a new phenomenon. Since the creation of Pakistan in August 1947, different ethnic and nationalistic forces of this country have been bitter about what they perceive as the 'domination and exploitation of Punjab'. It is not just the smaller provinces of present day Pakistan, particularly Sindh and Balochistan, that remain resentful of Punjab -- the Bengali majority of former East Pakistan had similar resentments. Why is Punjab bashing so common in some circles of Pakistan, particularly among the nationalistic forces of smaller provinces? Is Punjab bashing merely a political jargon or is there some justification to the anger and ill will against that province?

Since the outbreak of present cycle of violence in Sui, Balochistan a week ago, the visit of Punjab Chief Minister to Indian Punjab and the criticism of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Sindh's nationalist leaders against Punjab's support to the construction of Kalabagh Dam, the reassertion of anti-Punjab feelings in the country have been visible. Muthahida Quami Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain shares Sardar Mengal's views about greater Punjab. Both have talked about plans (or a conspiracy theory) for establishing greater Punjab and the endless exploitation, according to them, of the smaller provinces by Punjabi industrialists, businessmen, bureaucrats and military personal.

Punjab bashing has become a common characteristic of any nationalistic political group or party of Balochistan, Sindh and NWFP. Punjabi leaders are divided on the issue. Some follow a defensive policy and sympathise with the feelings of nationalist leaders, while others out rightly reject the phenomenon and consider it based on vested interests. Even in Punjab, the southern zone composed of the Saraiki belt feels discriminated against and oppressed and holds central Punjab responsible for its backwardness.

The root cause of Punjab bashing is the lack of a viable political process. Had Pakistan been a democratic country since its inception, the sense of deprivation among various sections of society wouldn't have become a serious matter. The imposition of martial law in the late 1950s resulted in the marginalisation of political forces and the domination of military-bureaucratic elite. Since that elite primarily represented the interests of Punjab, the non-Punjabi Pakistanis felt discriminated against and suppressed. Bengalis, despite being in majority in united Pakistan, felt deprived because they had a marginal representation in the military and bureaucracy. The nexus between the Urdu speaking elite and Punjabi military and bureaucracy created suspicions among Bengalis, Sindhis, Balochis and Pushtons about their role in Pakistan.

After the separation of East Pakistan, Punjab emerged as the majority province and during the martial law regime of General Zia-ul-Haq, tried to neutralise centrifugal forces by co-opting the NWFP in the power structure. Although that strategy worked for some time, there were still Pashtun reservations on the Kalabagh Dam issue. The upsurge of Mohajir nationalism during 1980s and 1990s increased the Punjab bashing phenomenon as the MQM on a number of occasions targeted the Punjabi dominated military and bureaucracy on charges of usurping the rights of the other provinces.

The affluence and prosperity, particularly of central Punjab, became a source of resentment in other parts of the country, including the Saraiki belt. On various occasions, the nationalistic leaders from Balochistan, Sindh and NWFP accused Punjab of not supporting democratic movements and of siding with military dictators. Thus it is not only the economic but also the political factor that tends to augment anti-Punjab feelings in smaller provinces. Along with Balochistan, Sindh and NWFP, anti-Punjab feelings also exist in the northern areas where people see the administrative hold of Pakistan representing the interests of Punjab.

Even if Punjab bashing is considered ignorance or exaggeration on the part of those who propagate such feelings, steps to prevent such campaigns need to be taken. After all, those who raise the slogan (bogey?) of Punjab bashing have some facts on their side to prove how the leadership, if not the people of that province since 1950s, captured power and usurped the rights of other provinces. The depth of Punjab bashing is so obvious that if something minor goes wrong particularly in Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP or the northern areas, the Punjab dominated-military, bureaucracy, feudals and clergy are immediately held responsible. The government must take notice of this because it becomes a weak spot for the country and also encourages forces who want to target national integration. Measures to curb negative feelings about a particular province are long overdue.

First, the image of Punjab among minority provinces as expansionist, exploitive and dominating needs to be corrected not only by administrative but also by political and economic measures. Punjab must provide adequate share to other provinces in power and resources. If the bulk of the cake is for Punjab's consumption, the outcome will be more Punjab bashing. As far as the issue of water, providing royalty for gas, oil and hydel electricity to NWFP, Balochistan and Sindh is concerned, the interests of these provinces should be seriously taken into consideration.

Second, in order to remove power asymmetry in Pakistan, Punjab needs to be divided into three provinces -- north, central and south. The Saraiki people, who have been asserting their differences with Punjabis, should have their own identity in the form of a province. Taking into account ethnic and administrative realities, new provinces must be carved out from Balochistan, NWFP and Sindh so that people from different backgrounds can have an adequate share in power.

Third, since Punjab's share in military and bureaucracy is already substantial, the participation of people from other provinces in the services must be ensured. In normal circumstances when political process and institutions form an integral part of the country's power structure, the military is not that important. But in a country where military and bureaucracy have an upper hand in state craft, the domination of one ethnic community in such services is counter productive.

Punjab bashing has not occurred overnight. It is a result of a process of several decades. There is some merit in the arguments of those who have suffered because of the exploitation caused by a particular province. Nationalist leaders ask why military operations only take place in non-Punjab provinces (East Pakistan, 1971, Balochistan 1974, and Sindh, 1983, 1986 and 1992) and why is their patriotism suspected by Punjab. But to use Punjab bashing for political motives as various political leaders from other provinces do, is also condemnable.

Till the time there is democratic leadership in Punjab that doesn't support military, bureaucratic and feudal interests, it will be difficult to restrain Punjab bashing. So far, Punjab's problem is that it has not been able to provide enlightened, democratic and middle class leadership to Pakistan. As long as Punjab remains under the shadow of the military, bureaucracy, feudals and clergy, it will not be in a position to redress suspicion, ill will and insecurity among the other provinces. Thus Sardar Mengal and other nationalist leaders will continue to complain about Punjab in the years to come.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

http://www.balochvoice.com/

interesting website,

By the way 2nd motto was said by patrick Henry in march 2nd, 1775 and the first one by benjamin Franklin. Look at the pool on the left, I think thats what rafaqat is talking about.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Rafaqat,
I heard the same about the show that the guy was unable to voice anything of substance aside from his personal contempt for Punjabis.

However aside from Mengal's outburst, I think the issue on hand is that there is a considerable blow-back from the smaller provinces due to the relative progress and prosperity in Punjab in contrast to the other provinces. You add to this the factor where Punjabis exist in very large numbers in smaller provinces and the respective business hubs of these provinces, and you get people to think that Punjabis have dominated their local economies.

Ten exists the argument that the armed forces and the government also have a large number of Punjabis in it and you have an interesting case in need of a serious dichotomy.

The counter to the above argument is that Punjabis being the largest denomination of the Pakistani population have no alternate but to be represented in a proportion which is according to their numbers. However many do not agree with it.

The above is my understanding of the overall situation. Along the same lines, I think what has made things worse for Pakistan and has helped increase this animosity is the lack of governance and stability (a responsibility of the GoP) in the smaller provinces (I think we all will agree that Punjab is definetly the best run of the 4 provinces). People in the smaller provinces vent by suggesting that resources from their provinces are chewed up by the center (this roughly translates into Punjab by the way) and they have to beg for basic infrastructre development funding when they have provided an inordinate amount of money from their own/provinces' pockets.

So the above in my opinion are some of the factors that contribute to the animosity. I will be honest and admit that some of these are real and others imagined, however the track record of uneven delivery of resources to the smaller provinces has only affirmed the views of the non-Punjabi population that they got the short end of the stick. The way to get out of this is again to come up with an allocation plan which is needs based and not population based since there must be wastage in the current allocation plan.

The sardars and vaderas will cry for a while since their subsistance is based on polarising people on this hate-Punjab slogan, however I think the younger population is moving beyond it. On the social side, I think more and more Pakistanis are getting married across ethnic lines (myself included) and there is a change brewing in the work ethics of the Pakistani workplace (turning to a merit-based model) which allows for a level playing field for all. Its going to take some time but I think the integration will help in reducing the animosity as long as the GoP takes steps to help the smaller provinces.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

My solution is simple but radical.

Here it goes: Islamabad should consider all the areas which are run by tribes/sadars/wadera, etc., in desolated areas of the country non-bonafied Pakistanis. Have a separate treaty with each and every of these areas. Feed them, clothe them, open subsidized stores, etc. Bottom line is bring these people into”reservations". During the course of all this human favors of Islamabad to these "freedom" loving people, Islamabad should establish various forts and cantonments in these areas. Give these people fifty years and rest is history. This is the American way!

Two bombings rock Gwadar
 

QUETTA: Two small homemade bombs exploded in a bazaar in Gwadar, shattering windows, police said on Tuesday. No one was reported injured. The explosions occured about 15 minutes apart late on Monday. Mir Azad Baloch, spokesman of the Balochistan National Army, claimed responsibility for the explosions in a telephone call to the Quetta Press Club. Both bombs were planted in garbage bins in a street in Gwadar, said Shakil Durrani, a senior police official. Azad Baloch threatened more bombings if the government launches a military operation. Meanwhile, a rocket was fired at the FC camp in Nuskhi on Tuesday night but it fell near the district coordination officer’s house. Nushki police said there was no loss of life or property. staff report

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

H Khan
We are not Americans and Balochistan is a part of Pakistan and not an alien land occupied by Pakistan. Also differences due to ethnic diversities demand a sober and rational approach rather than the emotional solution you are suggesting. The solution to removing the grieviances of smaller provinces requires a series of big decisions and such decisions can only be taken by big men.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Yahya,

Everyone has some grievance with everyone. Since, you have said that you were stationed in Balochistan during 1970's I am not sure what you found in these lunatics sardar that renders Islamabad to have "sober and rational approach."? The reason I have used the American way is that to achieve certain objectives for the progress of the country some very radical steps need to be taken. I am not just zeroing in at the Baloch but at general every type of people who come in the way of national progress should be dealt with a certain criteria. The criteria is national interest for the betterment of all the people not just one group. Progress will always face hurdles and obstacle but there should only be tactical compromise not strategic compromise.

By the way, we are not Americans but a lot of other countries epic center is America because they have materialistically achieve a lot given the time frame since existence.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

H Khan,
It is the very attitude that you are displaying that has brought us to the stage where we have to deal 'rationally' with as you say these 'lunatic sardars'. To counter their influence we should have delivered something tangible to the common man of Balochistan in all fields. We did not and now are suffering. Secondly I think that the Punjabis(I am a punjabi) should have descended from their self created pedestal of being the custodian of Pakistan's ideological and geographical frontiers long ago. As long as Punjab continues to display an attitude of intolerance we are not going to get anywhere in terms of ethnic tolerance. I do not know your age, but as a student in 60's we often heard Bengalis being referred to in derogatory terms. Today in many indicators of social and political progress they are ahead of us.
Please understand that patriotism is not merely emotional slogan mongering but a superior form of patriotism is a display of magnanimity to facilitate national integration.
As regards my assesment of sardars, I never came across them because they were locked up and being tried on charges that suddenly vanished when Gen Zia took over. I have no love for them and neither have I advocated showing any love. I advocated only understanding the ground realities of their influence. But I did live and dealt with ordinary Balochis in various capacities. They are as patriotic as anyone else, but deprived of so many things that our brothers and sisters in other provinces enjoy.
After the announcement of general ammensty in 1977, I am a witness to the love for the country and the military that the common people displayed. During my subsequent visits to the province till 1997, I also witnessed their disillusionment at the promises not being delivered. Locking up the sardars will not solve the problem, but a dispaly of magnanimity, dealing with patience as one deals with a junior member of the family that is angry at not being given what was promisedwill i feel be a better approach. The mega projects will take time to bear fruit, but in the meantime we can take short term measures and most of all refrain from publicly ridiculing their sardars. Once the people of Balochistan see the fruits of socio-economic development they will throw these sardars out themselves. Please let them be the judge of when and let us not make judgements for them.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Yahya,

It is not my attitiude which bought "us" to this stage but people in Islamabad, and you, who bought us to this stage. I am not sure in which cantt or camp you were sitting in Baluchistan but from your writings it is pretty clear that you "wish" that everyone can sit togather agree and enjoy fruits of the country. Gas comes out of Sui and royalties go to Nawab Bugti but what has Nawab Bugti done for his people with all the money, except that fuelling hatred towards others.

Tell me what happened to the following in Baluchistan:

1- Nushki Extension Railway project
2- Quetta-Sibi road section N-65
3- Ground water development projects under provison of 1975-87
4- Sixth Five-Year Plan (83-88) in Rs 29 billion was given to provensional and local sardars to build phone lines, and build telecom system


I can keep going on and on but you need look and see what happened to all this and other projects in which the money was given to all these sardars but nothing happened.

I am not saying locking up of sardars but the national strategy of progress which encompasses everyone. No one gets preferece over anyone else. It is the work that counts nothing else. .

It's a shame that people like you still think and work along the lines of Punjab is this and that and all the other and rest are bunch of dunce.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

H Khan'
I never said your attitude. I said the sort of attitude that you are displaying. Secondly I have never denied that we are not resposible. As you say it is people like me and those in Islamabad that are responsible. So that proves my point. We are all Punjabis and let us face it have to change our attitude. We all know where the money for the projects that you mentioned went. Had it been spent correctly we would not have had the situation that is there. Your ridiculing me and calling me names cannot change the ground realities. It only reflects a bankruptcy of logic and intellect to come up with practical solutions.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

guys

calm down.

H Khan.... specially

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Syed sahib,
no problem. Just an emotional outburst. Shows how deeply we feel for our country and the issues involved.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Yahya,

I agree with your views. My thoughts are that Hkhan's (no offense to you Khan sahib ;) ) views are the same as the ones that we all have initially when we hear about subversive activities in Balochistan. However when you drill down to the crux of the issue, you come to the conclusion why the GoP/Center even allowed things to come down to this?

When there is a perception in the minds of minority about one ethnic group being favoured over the other (we have a track record with how the Bengalis felt prior to 1971), then we should have been extra careful and cognizant of this. However typical of 3rd world countries, people in the government look to short term advantages when such things have an adverse affect on the stability of the country.

It was heartening to read in yesterday's DAWN that the military op. has been putoff and there is a relief package with possibilities of direct recruitment of upwards of 10K balochis in the Gwader area and various other fields..they need to do more than just this...the sardars should be slowly circumvented (although not completely side-lined as that may not be good in the short term).

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

I never said anything personal to anyone and neither do I intent to do so.

The problem is not that a young Balochi man who is bitter because the government don't appreciate him or help him but if this is the problem than please tell what is the difference between this Balochi man and a person who lives on the hills of north Karachi with nothing. How about a man from Punjab who lives under the defense bridge with no hope . What is the difference between these two Pakistanis.

Yahya,
From your writings it is becoming pretty clear that you lay the blame of majority of ills of Pakistan on Punjab, which is default a flawed filled argument, nothing more nothing less! The examples of project I cited to you are prime examples when the ruling Balochi tribes and sardars took that money bought arms, jeeps, and build their own houses or forts, to say the least, all equipped withe generators, tube wells, even runways and helipads, henceforth, left their own people in same misery.

Let me cite you another noble actions of these sardars. In 1980, Pakistan received polio vaccine from WHO, more than 3 million, again 3 million vaccines were transported to interior Baluchistan and offered free administration of the vaccine to the poor nomad people of the province. What happened, two things: either the shipment was looted and hijacked by the local sardars and or Govt. of Pakistan was asked to leave these vaccine to the local and they will administer them to their people. All of the polio vaccine later found itself in Karachi and Lahores local dispensaries who paid these thugs of Balochi sardars 1/4 of the price.

Is the above problem of Islamabad or Punjabi??

I can continue to cite you examples after examples of this type of racketeering/mafia business by these Baloch sardars. Every fricking time the Govt tries to do something in the long term for these Balochi they all say the same old stale thing "where is our money from Sui" heck their sardars are enjoying the benefits.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Guys,

I just finished watching Ahmedaan Bughti's interview on ARYOne's Talk show - Views on News. Ahmedaan Bughti is Akbar Bughti's first cousin, and used to live and work for the "kabeela" (sp?) in Dera Bughti.

He talked about how Akbar Bughti used to tell him and the people that the "Punjabi" will eat everything (the money, the resources), but then Ahmedaan later realized that it wasn't the Punjabi, but it was Bughti himself who ate all the money. He even said that Bughti is getting paid 30 - 40 crore per month in royalty from the Sui Gas.

Ahmedaan currently lives in Multan, he was fired from his post, and was forced to leave Dera Bugti, because he started some development work in the area, like making new roads, he even donated his 10 acre commercial plot for a college, but Bughti came to know, and he removed him from Dera Bughti for bringing "Development". He also said that when roads are being built, the Bughtis go and burn the construction equipment so no development can be done in the area. So that people don't get education, and there sardari remains intact.

He also talked about Gwadar, and that the local people loved the project, but Bughti and the others oppose it because its development, and schools would be made, people would be educated, and Bugti, Maari, and Mengal's won't be sardars anymore. Also, they'll loose important revenue like the 30 - 40 crore just from Sui Gas in royalty. He said that money should be given to district govt rather than Bughti.

Also, he said that in Dera Bughti, Bughti has established underground jails where he tortures people, and parades them naked around the area.

He mentioned a lot of things, this was an interview that you shouldn't have missed, it was heartbreaking. He said the Balochs are being oppressed by the Sardars, and he doesn't want Sardari system, he wants it to end, and a proper govt system should come in place.

He also said that in Baluchistan alot of development is being done by the GOP, but people like Bughti are hurdles in development.

PTV-1 also interviewed him a few days back, and they also invited akbar bughti to come and join the discussion with ahmedaan, but he refused.

I hope Pak Govt brings these sardars down!

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Balochistan package after Eid - 10,000 jobs for Balochs

ISLAMABAD: A substantial socio-economic package for Balochistan will be ready after Eid-ul-Azha following marathon talks between major central and provincial political players.

"Nawab Akbar Bugti and others will also agree to this package," former prime minister and President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain told The News on Tuesday.

The package was finalised during a high-level meeting here at the Punjab House. Secretary National Security Council and president's key adviser Tariq Aziz, PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, PML Secretary General Mushahid Hussain, Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousuf and Inspector General Police of Balochistan Chaudhry Yaqoob attended the meeting.

"Everything will be all right," said an optimistic Shujaat. "Inshallah, there would be better outcome of our efforts." A participant commenting on the meeting and its outcome said the "people of Balochistan will accept the package as it has been finalised through joint efforts of the central, provincial and other key players."

He said Balochistan has suffered protracted negligence, therefore, the new package will not just be an "academic report" but a comprehensive solution to the problems. The package will contain blanket reforms including projects of national interest like linking Balochistan through construction of new highways from Zhob to DI Khan and Loralai to DG Khan etc.

"At least 10,000 jobs with relaxation of employment criteria would be offered to the Baloch in Frontier Corps alone, what to talk about other departments in the Centre and provinces," said one of the participants of the Punjab House meeting.

The package, said and official, is near-completion at a time when atmosphere is heading towards normalcy in-and-around Sui. It was also decided to send DCO Naseerabad, Mehmood Dogar, to visit the troubled areas and meet people for creating a congenial atmosphere.

The meeting was informed that Nawab Bugti has stated in clear terms he had no links with these (sabotage) incidents. Ch Shujaat Hussain, Tariq Aziz and Mushahid Hussain are in constant contact with Bugti. "There is no communication gap as our leaders are frequently talking to Nawab Bugti on almost all issues," said the source. Balochistan chief minister also gave his input regarding the reform package, which would be sent to the prime minister and the president before it is made public after Eid.

Source: Jang

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

This type of policy of Govt. of Pakistan is worst of all. It is patching up the wound and using a pacifier to calm people down, all of these actions are cosmetic and will cause a greater harm in the future. What in the world Islamabad was waiting for the past five years, a rape of a Muslim woman creates 10,000 jobs for Balochi.......... :mad:

Chieftains criticise Akbar Bugti
 

ISLAMABAD (January 21 2005): First cousin of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti Mir Ahmadan Rahija Bugti has said that Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti is against the development of Balochistan and wants to keep the people of the province backward. Talking to PTV, he said the Nawab has nothing to do with protecting the rights of Baloch people.

"He is out to usurp them." "Nawab Akbar created all type of hurdles in development work of the province," he said, adding, "he (Akbar Bugti) is against development by not allowing opening of schools, building of roads, hospitals etc as they would bring change and take the people out of his influence." After becoming educated, the people of the area would refuse to live under his rule, he added.

He said: "The people want development, progress and prosperity in the province but a few elements are working against it."

To a question he said even his own tribesmen are suffering his wrath and a number of them have been ejected from their houses and are forced to live in his private prison. He said prominent among the prisoners is former member of Majlis-e-Shoora, Mir Ghulam Qadir Khan Bugti. Replying to another question about setting up of army cantonments in Balochistan, he said, "these are being built by Pakistani forces and not by the enemy forces."

He said the development projects being carried out in the province will bring prosperity by giving them employment and alleviate poverty. He said: "The Nawab is against awareness among the masses, while his own children roam about in Pajeros and are educated."

The chieftain of Kalpar tribe, Khan Mohammad Bugti, in his interview with PTV said that 16 Kalpar men, including his son and his son-in-law, were killed in the bombardment of Kalpar houses. He said their houses were demolished and the tribe was sent in exile by Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti. He said, "the produce of Kalpar lands is being used by the Nawab."

Ghulam Qadir Khan Bugti, chief of another clan of Bugtis, who is now being held in the personal prison of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, in an interview recorded before he was taken prisoner, termed the Sardari Nizam the main cause of backwardness of the Baloch people. He said the areas under chieftains had remained most backward. He said Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti is against the development of the area.

Ghulam Qadir said he had worked for the welfare of people by setting up schools and dams but the Nawab took it ill as it could bring development and awareness among the masses.

He said Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti forced the companies to pay him the royalty, which is not used for economic welfare of the people.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

...............just a recall, Akbar Bugti's one grandson was killed in a car accident in Miami some years back.

Akbar Bugti had avoided speaking Urdu out of his hatered for (political situation in the) country at that time!! "Political Situation" is my blissful assumption

Those who know him say that he does not believe in the existance of God, probably that's the reason why the Russians were so much banking on him and his likes two decades ago and why many sardars are Russian educated and indoctrinated.

Legend has it, English rulers studied the nature of people in the areas now called Pakistan and came up with this conclusion, (not offence meant please, only for this discussion): Honor balochi, beat panjabi, bribe pathan, and I forgot what was for sindhis. May be somebody can help me out... Those English rulers are gone now, so is their assessment. But their mentality remains here as now at the country's scene there are inheritors of colonial offerings and their political parties and contacts in the government.

Legend also has it that before oil was discovered in the Gulf, there were very warm relations between Baloch sardars and Arab tribal chiefs. Fond of hunting and capturing falcons, the forefathers of present rulers of some Gulf states frequently used to come to Balochistan where Baloch sardars hosted them as their guests. Just like today many royal personalities from Gulf come to Balochistan and other areas for hunting sport with the only difference that they are now treated as "state guests" of the government of Pakistan.
Where oil uplifted social and economic conditions of Gulf states, it also changed the relationships of Gulf rulers with their Baloch sardars. There has been a growing feeling among Baloch sardars that these Arab tribal chiefs have left them behind in wealth, status and economic development due to oil. Just like they are the owner of "oil", these Baloch sardars feel that all mineral and natural resources discovered in Balochistan should belong to them and they must get the ownership of selling it to the government.

Being part of a country and ruled by party system or martial law, Balochi sardars have felt certainly desperate for a long time. In order to have and maintain their influence, or I should say, their nuisance value in their own area and on the government , they see lifeline of their Sardari system by keeping Balochistan remain primitive on one hand, and voicing injustices being done against their own people as a political launching pad, on the other.

Each Baloch nationalist sardar has his own party, and those with relative small nuisance value are in two major political parties. Their status-quo deals with many governments have long helped them maintain their hagemoney. Those 1970 riots, one of the few exceptions, errupted due to country's experiencing of dictatorial interference but they soon got subsided by the unsaid status-quo agreement (live and let live) between Baloch sardars and the government. Their close ties with beaurucrats and political leaders have worked things out in their favor. Hence, no development program for Balochistan, never did any Baloch sardar made a move in that direction even when they were in office.

I think whaever is happening in Balochistan is a timed event and this time Baloch sardars are using geo-political situation to their advantage. The plan to carve out Pakistan into five independent states is not new. If "Mohajirs" have failed or calmed down for the time being, not so the Baloch sardars, so be it!

Balochistan is not only one sad story, we have areas of Southeren Punjab also where people live like animals under the rule of Western educated elites or Punjabi /Siraiki sardars who get never tired of talking about equality, justice, etc. These all areas are below poverty level and in the clutches of elite exploiters only to kindle the flame of separatist movements when their existence will be challenged for their tyranny over toungless masses.

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Long live Pakistan!

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Q: Some people say that the Bugtis extort bhatta from the gas companies, besides receiving royalty on gas.

A: Bhatta khori is not our practice, rather it is that of the people of Islamabad and Lahore. We always stood for our genuine rights and never thought of bhatta. And if it is true, then the government must have the relevant record or documents and they should be published in the press. Not a single penny has been given to the Bugtis in terms of royalty since the companies started exploration for gas. We have never demanded any royalty because we are the owners of this wealth. Moreover, it is not a question of royalty, but the main dispute is over rights. We say that gas is the national wealth of the Baloch, and for years it has been forcibly taken out for the use of others, without sharing anything with the Baloch people.

compelte interview at: http://www.newsline.com.pk/NewsFeb2003/newsbeat2feb.htm

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Syed Saad,
thanks for your support. My views do not appeal to most of the members of your forum, something I mentioned to Syed A also. However having been witness to and also been to an extent part of a process that took us nowhere with regards to Balochistan, let me quote from a superb work on Balochistan by Justice Khuda Baksh Marri. His book 'Searchlight on Baloches and Balochistan' was published in 1974, when the military operation in Balochistan was in its infancy. I came across this book in a library in Kalat in 1979. Please bear with me as this may be a lengthy discourse. Justice Marri writes, "Spiritual and material well being and progress of a people is conditioned by and dependent upon humanitarian, just and equitable laws, which provide the necessary gurantee against high handed and arbitrary conduct, be it of state, a class of society or of an individual. When this fundamental prerequisite is lacking, the people or society cannot be expected to prosper and respond to the call for national unity, for a class of society without such a provision is prone to remain static in a state of mediaevel backwardness, splitted into diverse groups and factions engaging in unceasing 'wars' against each other in a desperate effort to preserve their respective social entity and rights and privileges. The need for survival can assume violent forms, and the members of such a law-making social order are bound to take recourse to traditional forms of availing or dispensing justice, which will help them only to remain ignorant of their present, and heedless of their future."
In 1977 we had a golden opportunity of of establishing a sound framework for bringing directly to the people the economic and social benefits that their brothers and sisters in the other provinces enjoyed. We agin played into the hands of the sardars. Who did that? We have discussed it at length. The Punjabi dominated military-political establishment cannot escape the blame. We have to acknowledge that we made mistakes and will again make the same mistakes if we adopt a confrontationist approach.
So many members just post news items. I have been associated with media handling for last 10 years. These reports sensationalise news. I have witnessed first hand distortion of events, incidents to make them sensational in order to gain commercial advantage or in pursuit of an agenda. It would be worthwhile to study the background before forming an opinion especially when it relates to history. Merely piecing together news items and 'googling' for more information may lead us into making false conclusions.
We cannot make Balochi Sardars look small by just saying so. I have read posts that highlight the moral failings of Baloch Sardars and their anti Pakistan stance. We did the same with The Khan's of Utmanzai and that got us nowhere. They lost thear influence not as a result of our allegations but because of so many other factors. As regards the morality of Sardars, the less said about them and for that matter thebig names of Punjab, Sind and NWFP the better.
We have to counter the influence of Baloch Sardars or any sardar, wadera and Khan by bringing directly to the people the economic and social benefits and not by locking the Sardars up. We will only be making heroes out of them. We need to implement tough decisions (Punjab shedding more share for poorer provinces) or else we will continue drifting on a path of irrelevancy.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

No doubt it's a right course of action, but how such a plan would be implemented and its desired results achieved is the main problem. In fact, failure to provide basic needs of life to the people at the grass root level is the main reason for rising frustration not only in underdeveloped areas of Balochistan or other provinces, but also in the bigger cities of Pakistan.

People are undergoing more suffering in the cities than in the villages. In the villages, lack of electircity, gas, carpet roads, health care, schools does not matter much to the people need because they and their forefathers have lived their lives without them. So their being not used to such facilities is largely undisturbing to them. While those living in cities with inadequate basic facilities feel it more difficult to survive without electricity, water, gas etc. Probably, it is due to this approach that poor in villages reamin poor, the Sardars, Waderas or Zamindars (SWZs) have never felt even a need to contribute any efforts to improve the life of pawned people in their areas.

I wonder how it would be possible to bring social and ecnonmic benefits directly to oppressed poeple when their SWZs sit in the government. Instead each SWZ will ensure that his area remain under his control and his people obey and trust him. Bringing amenities of life to their areas will only decrease their unjust influence.

When increasing number of Punjabis were entering army, quota system was imposed just to maintain an appropriate representation in the forces. Despite this encouragement there was only a small number of Balochis and Sindhis who joined. As a result, many poeple from villages in Punjab came to Sindh to get recruitment in the forces.

Irony is that when people start taking pride in their ignorance, ruthless/ non-sensical tribal or biradri customs and underdevlopment of their area by resisting any development effort seen as threat, no solution can work for them unless their trust is established. This is where SWZs have an edge over the government. Their hagemonic influence has lead people of those areas to act to their orders without realizing that they are being used as pawns in the game.

I don't think education could be a solution to this problem. Many educated "mohajirs" started reverring their nationlist leader and even called him "peer bhai" upon the news of his miracles. In long lines they used to wait to see their leader's name on cactus plant or a marble tile, etc.

The realistic solution is provision of justice, where everybody is treated equally and no elite gets away with injustice done to poor.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Churchill very truly said that no one can rule a nation where justice is not prevalent.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

I think best solution is a combination of using the military & FC to protect the plants at all costs, going after terrorists in targetted areas rather than a general operation, while also providing jobs and govt services to local people through the govt and NOT relying on sardars to distribute money and goods. This idea of 10,000 jobs while relaxing selection criteria (affirmative action I suppose) is a good one so long as sardars are not allowed to have any influence on it. Also, the rape case needs to be handled in a transparent manner - so far it smacks of a cover-up.




No surrender at Sui



Ahmed Quraishi

The last thing we need to see is the Pakistani state with all its awe and strength coming down on the knees at Sui, at the hands of those who train and arm terrorists, run illegal underground jails to torture innocent Balochis, sabotage vital installations, and send emissaries to foreign governments that don't wish us well.

It is time to liberate the Pakistanis in Balochistan from the tribal Sardari system that is holding them, and Pakistan at large, hostage to the will of a few tribal chiefs who want to preserve their power by keeping everyone else underdeveloped and weak. According to the propaganda coming out of Dera Bugti, the missile attacks against the gas plants were provoked by the gang-rape of a lady physician, there's a conspiracy against the province, and there's no way to know who is recruiting and arming the 'Baloch Liberation Army'. Each statement is a lie.

There were 71 rocket attacks against gas installations in Balochistan in 2004, and there was no rape incident to trigger them. Just this month we've seen close to 170 rocket attacks in addition to the first-time use of automatic weapons and the unsuccessful attempt to seize and occupy government buildings. Someone is using the unfortunate and condemnable rape incident for other goals.

Neglecting Balochistan's problems is also not the trigger for the manufactured anarchy at Dera Bugti. The Pakistani state machinery today is geared toward developing Balochistan, not only to remedy the criminal neglect of the previous administrations, but also because our collective strength as a nation depends in many ways on a prosperous and developed Balochistan.

And, lastly, the thugs behind the fictitious Balochistan Liberation Army are not only traceable but can be mentioned by name, as done the other day on national television by Mir Ahmadan Khan Bugti, the exiled member the ruling Rahija clan of the Bugtis and a first cousin of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. Mir Ahmadan argues against any talks with the anarchists, as negotiations will only stoke their already bloated egos. They need to be weakened and sidelined. Anyone who is against progress in Balochistan and empowering his own people can't be good for Pakistan.

The partially successful attempt to stop gas supply across Pakistan is equivalent to a declaration of war against the vital interests of the Pakistani people. And the threat to Balochistan's mega projects is a warning to the poor Balochis that this handful of anarchists is intent on preserving the status quo. Islamabad must stick to the blunt declaration of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his interior minister that the "continuity of development projects and the protection of national assets will be ensured at all costs."

Islamabad needs to enforce the authority of the state across the board. The Pakistani state should not be seen as 'soft' by potential anti-state elements. The failure to take a tough stand now will encourage others in the future to challenge the state for narrow political or financial gains.

Unfortunately, some elements within the Pakistani political class are out to exploit this anarchy at Dera Bugti to settle political scores with Islamabad. Many of them benefit from a weak state so they can recreate their own little empires. But a good thing to have emerged from the past five years is Islamabad's new ability to project strength and confidence, and its courage to take bold decisions and stay the course.

Mir Ahmadan Khan Bugti says that his people in Dera Bugti want freedom from the tyranny of tribal authority imposed through fear. Islamabad should listen to him. People like him are the most credible answer to those self-styled 'nationalists' who want to hijack the legitimate aspirations of our people in Balochistan.

Islamabad will find that the ordinary people and most of the political leadership in Balochistan are keen to remove hurdles from the way of real development that the province is seeing for the first time. Let's not forget that this on-again-off-again blackmail and blowing up of vital installations has been going on for some time now. Mir Ahmadan's side of the ruling clan was banished from Dera Bugti a few years back, along with two other branches of the tribe. "Today, there are secret jails in the district that keep the people of Dera Bugti submissive and fearful," he charged. "Pakistan does not exist inside Dera Bugti." He claims that those involved in this terrorism and making contacts with foreign governments have no support from at least 90 percent of the Bugtis, if not more, and he is willing, with government support, to go to Dera Bugti, "take the area back and end the reign of terror there."

Mr. Bugti's thesis may be farfetched, or maybe not. In any case, Islamabad needs to end the old practice of cultivating tribal Sardars and enforce state authority. We can't turn Balochistan into a regional trading hub when violent blackmailers run loose, complete with armed private armies. This is a strange situation and no one will find it more bizarre than our Chinese friends, especially when the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr. Wen Jiabao, is supposed to arrive here soon to launch the Gwadar port. The Chinese would have dealt firmly with this kind of nuisance. Maybe we should learn a lesson or two from them.


The writer is an Islamabad-based columnist. Email: quraishi@furmaanrealpolitik.com.pk

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Yalman Ansari,
I do not know if you have travelled in the interior of Balochistan. Please do so if you have not done that. You cannot even begin to compare the disparity that exists. A Balochi youth in Sibi, Kalat, Khuzdar or Turbat has hardly any opportunity for employment were he to acquire a college degree. On the contrary a young man in Multan, Faislabad, Gujranwala has a greater chance of finding employment or even be self employed relatively more profitably as compared to his counterpart in towns and cities of Balochistan other than Quetta. My point is that when this youth is not employed he is susceptible to all sorts of influences, including those from his former Sardar. What should we do? Lock the Sardar up and thereby make a hero out of a tyrantl, and also create grounds for more mini Sardars, or, develope these areas so that employment opportunities are created there. We had 28 years to do that after the end of insurgency in Balochistan. We had 28 years in which we could have moved towards economic betterment of Balochistan and ethnic tolerance. A manifold allocation for Balochistan in just two '5 year Plans' would have imparted the momentum and would not have made Punjab or Sind more backward than they are now. It would have sent the message that the elder brother is there to help the younger one.
As long as the government at the centre (whether it is Punjabi dominated or otherwise) does not take urgent steps to redress the grieiances of the common man (not the Sardar) we will continue to have trouble. By just asserting that the Government should take firm stand and deal with iron hand is not going to get us anywhere. We will sink further in the quagmire of ethnic rivalries. See what happened when we tried to deal with an iron hand in former East Pakistan. Let us learn from history .
As regards how the plan can be implemented. So far the Govt continues to appease the Sardars. Perhaps it has limited options and this appeasement is a short term measure. In 1977, I thought that the Govt's dissolution of Hyderabad Tribunal was a short term measure to gain time for introducing the necessary reforms in Balochistan. I was wrong. The Central Govt chose to ignore realities. Today we need peace and a stable enviornment to move full speed ahead with the mega projects. We need to create more opportunities for the Baloch youth in Balochistan. I therefore hope that this time round the Govt's efforts to appease the Sardars is a short term measure. Gwadar, Saindak etc and a few more mega projects should help correct the balance.
As regards the Balochis fear that they may become a minority because of the influx of outsiders, well a few legislations in this regard can allay their apprehensions. Once the initial momentum has been imparted by the centre, the province will itself pick up from there (I hope so) and the very visible disparity between Balochistan and other provinces will be reduced. In all this I am not saying that a direct threat to the federation be overlooked. But too often we have misused 'threat to federation' as an excuse to settle political scores.
We must remember that decades of brainwashing by sardars cannot be removed overnight. It will perhaps take a generation or so. In the meantime, I repeat, we need to be patient and also show tact in handling volatile situations like the one in Sui..

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Assalamu aleikum,

Crossposting the following article from Pakistan - Iran relations ...

Pakistan assails Iran over growing Baluch insurgency


By Massoud Ansari
LONDON SUNDAY TELEGRAPH


KARACHI, Pakistan — Pakistan has blamed Iran for fueling a growing insurgency in Baluchistan, the strategically sensitive province where militant tribesmen have launched a series of terrorist attacks in recent weeks.
Senior government officials say Iran is encouraging "intruders" from within its own Baluch community to cross the 550-mile border with the Pakistani province and give support to the rebels.
"All this violence is a part of a greater conspiracy," a senior Pakistani government official said. "These militants would not be challenging the government so openly without the backup of a foreign hand."
Pakistan's support would be essential for any U.S.-led action against Iran, whose fundamentalist Muslim regime was last week put firmly in the sights of the second Bush administration by Vice President Dick Cheney. "You look around the world at potential trouble spots — Iran is right at the top of the list," Mr. Cheney said.
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency set up a unit in the provincial capital, Quetta, last year to monitor suspected Iranian activity in Baluchistan. Officials say that in addition to directly supporting the insurgency, Tehran's state-controlled radio has launched a propaganda campaign against Islamabad.
"Radio Tehran broadcasts between 90 and 100 minutes of programs every day which carry propaganda against the Pakistan government," said a former interior minister. He added that Iran was suspected of providing financial, logistical and moral backing for the insurgency.
Iran is said to be taking advantage of unrest among tribesmen who claim to have been denied the benefits of Baluchistan's natural-gas fields.
Earlier this month, rebels disrupted gas production in a series of rocket and mortar attacks, which killed eight persons. However, Islamabad is delaying a formal complaint to Tehran in the hope that private diplomatic channels may prove more effective. Meanwhile, large numbers of troops are hunting rebels in the province.
Pakistani officials believe that Tehran — already furious at Pakistan's support for the U.S.-led war on terrorism — has stepped up its activity in Baluchistan because of its anger at the construction of a vast deep-water port at Gwadar, close to the border, which it fears could be used by Washington as a base for monitoring and infiltrating Iran.
Washington believes Iran is pursuing an advanced nuclear-weapons program in addition to sponsoring international terrorism, and has repeatedly accused Tehran of fomenting trouble within Iraq.
Last week, journalist Seymour Hersh reported in the New Yorker that U.S. special forces had carried out recent reconnaissance missions inside Iran to identify nuclear, chemical and missile sites that could be targeted. Although the Bush administration brushed aside the claims, the report heightened the belief that the United States might be preparing to take action.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/world...5607-1870r.htm

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Iran not involved in Balochistan incidents: Pakistan

(Updated at 1800 PST)
ISLAMABAD: Foreign office spokesman Masood Khan has said that Pakistan has not violated the ceasefire with India across the Line of Control in Kashmir region nor Iran is involved in Balochistan incidents.

During a weekly briefing in Islamabad on Monday Khan stated ““There were two incidents on January 18 and 20 across the Line of Control in the area under the control of the Indian forces. We were surprised as India did not say what happened there instead asked us what had happened there,”

Talking about Sui incident he stated that there were no signs of any foreign involvements in the incidents and Pakistan and Iran enjoys very good and stable relations.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/index.html

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

I feel Iran would be unwise to interfere in Balochistan. They did not do that in 1970's. Iran has a sizeable Baloch population and the areas bordering Pakistan are relatively undeveloped as compared to the rest of the country. Formenting Baloch nationalism would also create problems for them. In 70's there used to be a talk about 'Greater Balochistan' which is certainly not in Iran's interest.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

I'd like to add to this conversation.
First of all I agree that development and social prosperity has to be brought directly to the people.T he best way to do this is to either remove the middle man or make him you'r ally* which in case of feudals is hard to do).
Second, I'm a punjabi myself and have seen a lot of this P bashing from other provinces.Ranging on issues from division of resources to(hello!) even cultural exchanges with east-punjab.
To me and other average punjabis, the grievances about resouces fine are understadable and believe me the common punjabi cares a lot about his countrymen and wants all these issues to be solved.
We say that fine blame the politicians and the generals(the whole lots' rotten) but spare the common punjabi and his culture in you're bashing. They are as much Pakistani as you are.(ok I'm getting emotional here so mods forgive me). I mean I remember reading articles by people of Mengal's ilk against the establishment of a punjabi language preservation and development centre on the behest that it will further punjabi hegemony. Like aren't we even allowed to preseve our mother tounge?
Fine you're complaints are there but sort it out amongst you'r political selves don't poison the mind of a common pakistani against his fellow Pakistani.
Remember that punjab suffered the most during the partition(wrong demarcation, huge population migrations and pogroms) and therefore most of us punjabis really care about the solidarity of Pakistan. It hurts us deeply when you bash us like this on the behest of some sardars.Is it our fault that they don't allow social development to take place in you'r localities or we tell them not to build schools for you?
I'm seeing a slow but sure rise in nationalistic sentiments among my fellow punjabis due to this punjab bashing, it's like they are always bashing us so why should we care about them. I fear that this sentiment will rise greatly amongst punjabis over the course of the next two generations. And heaven help I fear the day when this sentiment becomes predominant amongst us punjabis and shows it's force. That day IMHO will signal a great disaster in the offing for Pakistan
Please take some time out and ponder upon my words.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Umair,
I appreciate your sentiments and like you I also do not like this Punjabi bashing. But it is there. I have lived in the interior of NWFP, Balochistan and Sind for 3-4 years each and have had the opportunity of interacting closely with their sardars/khans/waderas and also with the common folks. I have also observed the attitude of Punjabis in these provinces (whether in administration or as settlers). I assure you as the majority and hence in the role of elder brother we (Punjabis) have done little to promote ethnic harmony. As Syed Saad in his post has mentioned that we have to see why this hatred is there. First with Bengalis, then with Balochis, to an extent with Sindhis also. It has got a lot to do with our political history. Please study that and you will find genuine complaints. Then the Govt (political or military) has been dominated by decision makers who were from Panjab. Therefore the others blame Panjab. We can be emotional about it, but that does not change the ground realities. If we can be less emotional and more realistic, we can actually be the 'respected' elder brother rather than the hated one. On this forum we are all educated and patriotic, and I hope that we can be less emotional and more pragmatic on sensitive issues.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Balochi youth has long been under the influence of well-eduacted, intellectual sardars who have for long embraced progressive values. Khans of Qalat had been very active during English rule and had connections with the establishment until now. The Baloch sardars have encouraged even their daughters not only to get education but also foreign educatoin, and we have the likes of Dr. Noor Jahan Panezai, a former deputy chairman senate; these sardars have strongly detested the idea of educational schools in their areas equateing it against the values and customs of Baloch women. They have been continously beefing up their people's pride with false notions of honor and belligerance, thus enslaving the whole population. It won't be inappropriate to say that the Baloch in rural areas are exactly living in an era of age-old slavery.

Urban disparity is as common as rural disparity. However, with lack of emerging opportunities whether in bigger or smaller cities or in rural areas, people don't face the same intensity of consequences. In bigger cities youth are more prone to crimes and instability because of the visible imbalance between previliged and non-previliged class living next to each other that drive them indignant . In rural areas there is generally a very narrow gap in the social class difference, thus there isn't that stark imbalance between haves and have-nots, despite the fact that they are more deprived under inequal distribution of resources. That being said, the sticky situation in Balochistan is therefore being instigated by sardars.

Balochistan has a completely different social fabric under the rule of sardari system being the sign of their authority and ownership, and it cannot be compared with Multan, Faisalabad, etc. However, existence of social injustice and inequal distribution of resources in these cities cannot be ruled out by their ecnonomic growth. Neither can it be compared with those of Minninites who are a classic exmaple of a conservative ethnic group living in remote rural areas in the midst of US and still be unifluenced by trappings of modern life. How backward they are one can understand from the fact that they don't even have access to electricity. They don't drive cars only horse carts and their children don't go to public schools! The point I want to convey is that social inequality is not a reason for insurgency for poor people but only those who want to maintain their authority by using those issues try to create a sense of alienation and discrimination in the minds of oppressed. By this line of reasonning that doesn't mean that social ineuality and injustice is tolerable.

If we let sardari system flourish in current geo-political system, we only invite separatist movements to kick-off. We should start in tandem from all provinces and free people from the bondage of "elite rulers of rural areas" and that can only be done under a military government. It's not the people of these areas who will be greatly affected but their masters whom they are serving through gnerations. It's now time to let them live free and serve their country. The first step forward shoud be enlisting Balochis, Siraikees, etc., into forces and posting them far away from their inherited masters.


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From the double-standards of pre-partiotion to sub-standards of post-partition!

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Some interesting facts & figures............



Genuine nationalism?



Raania Ahmed

The rape case in Sui was a mere trigger to the nationalists setting a scene for their larger cause. Their campaign for mass consumption has unfolded successfully and beautifully. Instead of the government point of view making headlines that true nationalism doesn't warrant arresting development, the Baloch nationalists have been able to generate solidarity against a military operation amongst the masses of Pakistan, all political parties, and have cemented a special alliance with Sindhi nationalists for a larger cause against the federation.

Let's examine what they have projected as the reality and what the government in response has not been able to convince the masses of despite various media management tools it possesses:

Firstly, an army captain has committed a rape, as a reaction to which the 'ghairatmand' people of Balochistan couldn't hold back, since 'unlike the Punjabis who allow their women to be paraded naked in village streets', the Baloch have higher moral standards. In response: it is unfortunate that a single rape is being politicized. There are many others that go unnoticed all over the country. Let the Bugtis take up the social cause of rape. The captain is accused but not convicted, so he is innocent till proved guilty.

Secondly, the Baloch don't hate their Sardars, who in fact have loyal subjects as demonstrated by the converging of valiant tribals on Dera Bugti to protect their Sardars. In response: please examine the accounts of Ahmadan Bugti and others expelled by Bugti before judging the Sardars on this front. Many political parties currently canvassing alongside the Sardars have fought against the feudal system on earlier occasions and need to explain their double standards now.

Thirdly, the Baloch have a history of 57 years of deprivation mainly due to Punjabi domination. A few mega projects so late in the day and that too for the interests of the rest of the country (since they are the ones getting land and jobs and not the poor Baloch), is not satisfactory. In response: mega projects launched for Balochistan include Gawadar port, Mirani/Sabakzai Dam, Makran Coastal highway, Katchi canal. Rs 130 billion worth of projects will make a significant dent to Balochistan's development climate, enhance the quality of life of its peoples, and take Balochistan over and above the rest of Pakistan in terms of international importance. Those who oppose, do so because they don't want development to emancipate the people and also because they themselves have not been able to provide such development for the masses when they were in power.

Fourthly, the government's efforts at political negotiations have been useless because they have been led by powerless pawns whose negotiated points have already been overruled by the real powers to be. In response: if that was the case, how has Chaudhry Shujaat managed to raise Rs1.5 billion p.a. more in gas royalty to Balochistan due to committee deliberations and why have the Baloch been given 10,000 additional jobs by the prime minister?

The responses above represent an alternative viewpoint to the nationalist claims. However the common man is easily swayed by any anti-government rhetoric without thinking things through and also because of the romantic appeal of the nationalist cause.

Consider that law and order has been compromised. Six months data on Balochistan stands at 956 rocket attacks, 70 bomb blasts, 89 dead, 276 injured, 4 kidnappings. This is clearly 'foreign hand related' and unacceptable to any sane approach in the discussion on the actual issue of Baloch rights. Secondly, Bugti claims on behalf of the Baloch that they have not been paid adequate royalty for the gas and that their natural resources are being stolen for the rest of the nation. In response: Natural resources are not any one nation's personal right. They belong to the Pakistani nation in totality. In any case it seems that the total royalty paid from 2001 to 2004 was Rs 3 billion. Other than that PPL provides Bugti family rent charges of vehicles, air tickets, personal transportation and medical facilities, pay allowances of Bugti staff of Rs 122m per year. Moreover the claim that Balochistan handles the entire gas supply of Pakistan is slightly faulty, since it is responsible for only 24 percent.

Do these circumstances justify blowing up pipelines and damaging Sui gas fields, causing the national exchequer a loss of Rs 200 million per day for power plant and cement plant disruptions? The financial impact of the disruption of the fertilizer plant is over and above this loss, and not quantifiable. Other than financial loss to the nation as a whole, it has caused uncertainty issue in Balochistan's investment climate. Those would-be investors thinking of Balochistan as the economic hub of Asia might reconsider due to the law and order issues. This potential loss runs in billions and cannot be quantified.

Whose agenda was furthered when Chinese working in Gawadar were killed in May 2004, just days before an investment conference inauguration in Quetta? Whose loss was all that lost foreign investment? This was as much of a loss to the Baloch people and to any true Baloch nationalist, as to Pakistan as a whole. Can any true Baloch nationalist want to damage development prospects or can this only be the work of foreign agents combined with ill-informed, misled local miscreants, out to destroy Pakistan's investment profile? Probably. Moreover who do gas disruptions affect the most? No true nationalist would support these because it means reduced royalty for their people since royalty is directly proportional to gas supply. Again this can only be the work of miscreants and not of true nationalists.

Analytically, irrespective of the positions of the government and nationalists, what is more important is the political environment that has ensued as a result. Certain political elements are rallying behind the Baloch to gain political mileage for their own separatist movements or their own struggle against the federation. The Hyderabad bomb blast acceptance by Sindh Liberation Front is not a health omen and suggests that violence is being accepted as a strategy to promote separatist agendas, now that Balochistan example has created a positive public opinion.

This convergence of interests is dangerous since it doesn't signify a better Pakistan. It signifies separatist movements gaining voices in domestic media and in international forums. The NFC war, the provincial autonomy issue, the concurrent lists are all issues that demand bold immediate resolutions, and which are genuine agendas for the betterment of the people of Pakistan, but not at the cost of the federation's unity. Let these issues not be resolved as a result of armed blackmail, which certain miscreant elements of Balochistan are indulging in against the federation. Let these decisions be taken in the interests of Pakistan and not in the interests of any one smaller nationality within Pakistan. The level of provincial autonomy should never affect federal unity and strength, which is the only ticket to real progress. The leadership must grab this opportunity to truly sort out these issues, because only then will we be rid of the constant sword of nationalist separatists hanging over our necks. Only then will all this development effort take Pakistan towards the enlightened progressive model Asian state that we all dream of being.



The writer is based in Islamabad

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

[quote=MohammedA] This convergence of interests is dangerous since it doesn't signify a better Pakistan. It signifies separatist movements gaining voices in domestic media and in international forums. The NFC war, the provincial autonomy issue, the concurrent lists are all issues that demand bold immediate resolutions, and which are genuine agendas for the betterment of the people of Pakistan, but not at the cost of the federation's unity. Let these issues not be resolved as a result of armed blackmail, which certain miscreant elements of Balochistan are indulging in against the federation. Let these decisions be taken in the interests of Pakistan and not in the interests of any one smaller nationality within Pakistan. The level of provincial autonomy should never affect federal unity and strength, which is the only ticket to real progress. The leadership must grab this opportunity to truly sort out these issues, because only then will we be rid of the constant sword of nationalist separatists hanging over our necks. Only then will all this development effort take Pakistan towards the enlightened progressive model Asian state that we all dream of being.

Mohammad A,
The rhetoric in the media and on different forums about threat to federation, the unreasonable attitude of Balochi Sardars, the misguided Baloch youth does nothing but hardens the stand of the aggrieved party. If we are unwilling to acknowledge that there exists an aggrieved party, that there has been a lapse, then we have a situation where any bold decision to address the 'genuine agendas' will appear as blackmail.
Having said that I maintain that it is the duty of the Govt (Provincial and in the Centre) to maintain law and order in the country and take whatever measures (political or otherwise) in this regard. But if you create a swell of opinion that the aggrieved party is being unreasonable or that there are no grieviances, then I am afraid the mere holding of talks with the Sardars appears as blackmail. If this is what we feed to our people then we must bear the consequences.
In early 90's a wave of ethnic violence gripped Karachi and Hyderabad. A significant blame rests with the media in this regard, especially the local Urdu media in Sind. I recollect reading a headline in the largest selling local Urdu newspaper of Hyderabad 'Sind mein Punjabi ka naam gali hey". This was an utterance by an obscure politician who could hardly poll 100 votes. He had made that statement at a press conference. The guy had only his family as his supporters. What did it do? It invited reaction from Panjabis and this lead to a series of unwanted exchanges and some violence as well.
We (especially the educated) need to show understanding and restraint when reacting to reports in media.
It is the media and rhetoric by certain analysts that raise the 'threat to federation' issue whenever an ethnic group talks about its rights. This is the situation that our leaders got into vis a vis Former East Pakistan and could not take bold decisions. Will we never learn from history.

Pakistan sets up new military base near gas field in restive southwest
 

By NASEER KAKAR
.c The Associated Press

SUI, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan's army has set up a new military base near the country's main gas field, where thousands of forces were deployed after a deadly rocket attack this month that disrupted fuel supplies, officials said Wednesday.

The move, announced to journalists on a trip organized by the military to the restive southwestern province of Baluchistan, will anger tribesmen who have strongly opposed government plans to establish new military garrisons in the region.

Col. Mazhar Masood said that a military cantonment is being established in Sui, a town near where rocket and mortar attacks Jan. 7-11 killed at least eight soldiers and civilians and forced a temporary shutdown at a gas plant and pipeline, disrupting supplies across the country.

``A new cantonment has been set up in Sui over 400 acres (162 hectares) of land. Primarily, a battalion of army soldiers with tanks and other military equipment has been taken there,'' Masood, who is in charge of the garrison, told reporters.

``We are now completely ready to respond to terrorists and miscreants. We will cleanse the area of miscreants and protect strategic installations and the citizens of Sui.''

He addressed the press conference inside a bunker ringed by sandbags overlooking the town, which lies in a remote desert area about 680 kilometers (425 miles) southwest of the capital Islamabad. At least seven tanks were parked under a camouflage net nearby.

He said 2,500 army and paramilitary troops are guarding the gas field and Sui.

Nawab Akbar Bugti, who leads the Jamhoori Watan Party, a Baluch nationalist group, dubbed the military ``invaders and occupiers'' and accused them of appropriating land to set up the base.

``They have set up the cantonment by force and they forced people to give land for the cantonment,'' Bugti told The Associated Press by telephone in Dera Bugti, a tribal town near Sui. ``Time will see how we react.''

Masood said the military bought the land from tribesmen.

The wave of unrest in the underdeveloped region appears to stem from long-standing demands of tribesmen for more gas royalties. Small bombings and rocket attacks against the government and security forces are common, but have recently grown in intensity.

A little-known nationalist group, the Baluchistan Liberation Force, claimed responsibility for the attacks on the gas facilities, saying it was avenging the alleged gang-rape of a local female doctor at a hospital run by the gas company.

Thousands of army and paramilitary forces have been searching house-to-house for weapons in Sui, fueling suspicions of a major military operation against unruly tribesmen, but the government insists the forces are just there to provide security.

On Wednesday, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said the government will take ``adequate measures'' to ensure protection of gas installations in Sui, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan news agency reported.

In the 1970s, the army quelled an uprising by an ethnic Baluch group seeking independence, and thousands were killed or captured.



01/26/05 09:23 EST

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

I disagree with u here. I haven't read the urdu press, but everyone of the english papers I have read have always acknowledged that a problem exists, that something needs to be done for the Balouch people economically and politically. Not ONE single editorial or opinion has advocated a military operation. Pretty much all of the posts from the media here have stated that talks and political solutions are the only way forward. Please show me where anybody has said that their are no genuine grievances.

Where there is a differnec on opinion is in how to deal with the sardars. Some advocate trying to keep them happy, feed them more royalties, and keep them in the mainstream system, while others argue that more long-term problems will be created if the sardars aren't dealt with more firmly while still solving the greivances of Balouchis right now.

In terms of blackmail, I don't see how it can be described as anything else. Most Pakistanis are poor and have greivances such as lack of justice, basic facilities access, opportunities, education, etc. Is this a licence for them to start gureilla warfare? When I was in Islamabad two years ago, walking at night you could see groups of kids sleeping on street corners wrapped in old carpets - this in a relatively prosperous city. All over Pakistan you can see this, go to villages outside Lahore you will see many Punjabi youth either unemployed or under employed. If I was one of them I would be pretty p***** off with life.

In short, I don't think that by pointing out the hypocrisy and downright evil role of many of these sardars as described by even their own first cousins, that the media are trying to sabotage ongoing "back-door" negotiations. On the contrary, the media is opposing military action and encouraging holding of talks. There is nothing wrong with suggesting that at the same time the govt shouldn't completely collapse and accept everything the sardars demand. And as you have already alluded to, if investors think the military can't control the area, then kiss goodbye to billions$ for the province & country.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

BTW, I also adovocate dealing with those sardars in Sindh and Punjab who more or less have created modern-day slavery for poor people there i.e the bonded labourers.

Re: Unrest in Balochistan
 

Dont you think that there is a middle way. Keep them happy and use the space created not go to sleep like we did in 1977 but to do something tangible.

When I was in Islamabad two years ago, walking at night you could see groups of kids sleeping on street corners wrapped in old carpets - this in a relatively prosperous city. All over Pakistan you can see this, go to villages outside Lahore you will see many Punjabi youth either unemployed or under employed. If I was one of them I would be pretty p***** off with life.

Then you haven't seen what is the life in remote areas of Balochistan and Sind. If people sleeping in streets in Islamabad are justified in being p------- off then please tell me what should the people who have to trek miles to get water or the basic neceesitiesdo. I never said that guerilla warfare is justified, but please try and understand the reasons. This is what the youth will do if you do not provide alternatives. In Balochistan it is blowing up Govt installations, in Panjab it is dacoity, bank robberies etc. Both are neither justified nor condoned. Do not create hatred by labeling their misplaced reactions as anti state activities. We tend to use this term fairly loosely.