Mohammad Jamil
Baloch people are as patriotic as their compatriots of other provinces; however in the past a handful of dissident sardars challenged the writ of the state. It is indeed encouraging that people of Balochistan have understood their game plan, and are joining the mainstream politics. Shahzain Bugti, grandson of Akbar Bugti, is among those who vow to fight for the independence and sovereignty of Pakistan. On 19 April 2017, Jamatud Dawa (JuD) had arranged a meeting and press conference at their centre at Masjid-e-Quba, I-8 Islamabad. Hafiz Talha Saeed (son of Hafiz Saeed) chaired, while Shahzain Bugti was the chief guest. Prominent leaders such as Syed Zafar Ali Shah of PML-N, Ajmal Baloch President Anjuman Tajran, Islamabad, Ahmed Raza Qasoori of APML and Ishtiaq Hameed Hurriat Leader were present.
Shahzain Bugti in his remarks said that the Baloch people support the just struggle of the Kashmiri people in Indian Occupied Kashmir, adding “we should resist US/Indian pressure on Kashmir and urged the government to take concrete steps to help suffering Kashmiris. He refuted Indian propaganda with regards to Balochistan and said there was no separatist movement in Balochistan and that Baloch people were proud Pakistanis. He condemned house arrest of Hafiz Saeed, which he said was meant to please India and the US. Other speakers welcomed Shahzain Bugti’s remarks and said that the Baloch people should be given their due right and be brought in to the mainstream. They urged the UN and the international community to implement UNSC resolutions on Kashmir, and vowed to give Kashmiris moral and political support.
Last year, addressing the convention of Jamhuri Watan Party, Shahzain Bugti, grandson of Baloch tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti had categorically stated that “if war breaks out with India he and his tribal warriors would fight against Indian troops along with the Pakistan Army.”
Cousin of Geneva-based Brahamdagh, who has sought asylum in India, Shahzain Bugti at the annual convention of the Jamhoori Watan Party, which was formed by his grandfather, said: “Brahamdagh can stay in India or Geneva that is his personal decision. But as far as I or the party is concerned we will always follow the dictates of Nawab Akbar Bugti.” He said his grandfather had opted for Pakistan at the time of Partition and his party would remain loyal to this ideology, despite differences with the government. On the other hand, Baloch Sub-Nationalists observe 28th May each year as “Black Day” to record their protest against Nuclear Explosions of 1998. They have been calling shutter down strikes in Balochistan but only a partial strike is usually observed in small towns and far-flung areas of Balochistan. A great majority of people of Balochistan now understand dissident sardars designs and do not pay heed to their strike or demonstration calls. International intrigues and anti-Pakistan elements have been incessantly conspiring against the province of Balochistan with a view to destabilizing the province by promoting acrimonious sense of dissent, political volatility, sectarian violence, deteriorating law and order situation and stirring sentiments of separatism. Since Balochistan is resource-rich province of Pakistan, foreign elements are eying its mineral reserves including gas, coal and gold. Geopolitical location of Balochistan also makes it significant for international business and trade, thereby enticing the concerned world powers to design Balochistan-specific great game. Hence, the fresh players of great game (US, EU, Russia, China, India, Iran, Afghanistan and CARS) appear to have redesigned their strategies and are secretly working to create conditions to control and influence the resource rich zones. Unfortunately dissidents like Khan of Kalat Mir Suleman Khan Dawood, Harbyar Marri and others are busy in Europe and USA to project Balochistan issue to make it more prominent at international level. A few years ago, BLA and Khan of Kalat had planned to take the Balochistan issue to International Court of Justice (ICJ) and expected India to pay $2.4 million lawyers’ fee to contest the case in ICJ; but India backtracked. They then started looking towards the US. In February 2012, 3 Republican Congressmen (Dana Rohrabacher, Louie Gohmert and Steve King) tabled a bill before US Congress stating: “Balochistan is currently divided between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan with no sovereign rights of its own. In Pakistani Balochistan people are subjected to violence and extrajudicial killing. The bill favoured Baloch rights of self-determination, having a sovereign state and must be afforded the opportunity to choose their own status.” Similarly, hearings convened by (Senator Rohrabacher and Col (R) Ralph Peters) US House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ on extrajudicial killings and human rights violation in Baluchistan, had shocked Pakistan. However, US government quickly distanced itself from Congressional hearing by Rohrabacher and Peters’ testimony. The US government spokesman had said “it does not subscribe to the views of the Congressmen.” Of course, Pakistan Army has done a lot to counter the machinations of the world powers and the regional countries. Military’s contribution to development of Balochistan has been commendable, they have always remained in the forefront to help their fellow citizens whenever they faced natural calamities, and Army personnel have conducted relief, rescue and salvage operations. In many cases they have offered their own rations, beddings (blankets, mattresses and clothes), rendered medical facilities to the victims of flood and other natural disasters like earthquakes etc. In Balochistan, army established schools and skill-development centres, and recruited Baloch youth in the army. Today, thousands of Baloch youth are ready to fight shoulder to shoulder with the army to frustrate the designs of the anti-Pakistan forces.
