Eulogizing a Known Baloch Insurgent

Eulogizing a Known Baloch Insurgent
Imdad Ali Zehri
In an interview with Najam Sethi on Dunya TV telecast on July 4, 2009, the Baloch rebel leader Hyrbiyar Marri has revealed that "American enslavement is better than Punjabi enslavement because the Punjabis will come and occupy our lands for good. The Americans will only steal our oil and gas, whilst the Punjabis will obliterate our national identity". Earlier in mid 2008, during an interview with BBC, Brahamdagh Bugti (grandson of late Akbar Bugti) emphatically declared that he would accept any “moral help and material support” from India to defend Balochistan from Islamabad’s designs of capturing the riches of Balochistan. The emotional explosion of these sardars can not be overlooked under any circumstances, as it smacks of outright rebellion seeking a breakaway from Pakistan. It is beyond doubt that Brahamdagh’s sentiments were naturally hurt because of the death of Nawab Bugti, but then, the aggression should have been channelized through socially approved norms. The cultural ethnocentricities have a legitimate right to voice its regional frustrations and grievances to the Federation. Who would support a person volunteering for the enslavement of US or seeking material assistance from India to overthrow own dispensation? Therefore, the emotional outburst would naturally create ripples in the patriotic and broadminded intelligentsia of civil society. Another disappointing feature of the interview which irked the audience was the attitude and body language of the anchor-person Mr. Najam Sethi. Although, he asked some nagging questions but some how, it could not satisfy the viewers as it was very evident that he was enjoying vicarious pleasure out of Marri’s answers rather than getting upset or hurt, which in normal circumstances every patriotic Pakistani should be. In fact, he was smiling throughout, and it is beyond comprehension how a genuine patriotic Pakistani journalist can smile on those replies. Being seasoned journalist, Najam Sethi should not have eulogized a known insurgent causing irreparable damage to the federation. The insurgent voices must not only be condemned by general masses, it should form part of a larger awareness campaign vehemently supported by TV channels, radios and other effective communication means.
What forced Hyrbiyar Marri, Brahamdagh Bugti and allied rebel leaders to utter such treasonable outbursts? The things started to go wrong when the Centre launched fast track developmental projects aimed to bring the area into socio-economic mainstream. The militants are supported by a handful of tribal chiefs bent on resisting socio-economic development and progress of Balochistan. They challenged the writ of the Government by targeting national installations. Balochistan, like Afghanistan and Tribal Areas of Pakistan, is a tribal society. Almost 76 tribal chiefs rule their respective tribes in Balochistan, often with serious disregard for human rights. Since the independence of Pakistan, most of the tribes have accepted Pakistan as their homeland and have tried to come into the mainstream Pakistani society. But Bugti and Marri tribal leaders have always been a source of trouble for Pakistan. Sardars hold sway over their life and death. These selfish Sardars are living luxurious lives in cities, leaving behind their compatriots in lurch. They are misleading the people in order to safeguard their personal interest. However, these sardars can not be allowed to continue with these negative and harmful activities at any cost. The acts of violence and terrorism are reprehensible and must be denounced by every peace-loving citizen for they cause human misery. There is no doubt that Balochistan has been kept under-developed and backward by the successive Governments, but Sardars of Balochistan cannot remain oblivious from this guilt. Some of the grievances projected by Baloch nationalists are: — provincial autonomy, detention of political workers, bigger share in NFC, special quota in federal jobs, enhanced royalty for natural gas, increasing military intrusion, gradual attrition of Baloch identity with influx of outsiders, undertaking of “anti Baloch” mega projects like Gwadar port without reference to their consensus.
A new “Great Game” of geo-politics has already started in Balochistan. In order to understand the recent wave of violence in Balochistan, it is imperative to be cognizant of the vested interests in Balochistan. The root cause of violence in Balochistan is not internal poverty or lack of development but foreign interference in internal affairs of Balochistan through BLA. The question is, what is the role of US, Afghanistan, India, and Iran in Balochistan quandary? Afghanistan’s soil has been used again and again to cause trouble inside Pakistan. There is strong evidence of Indian support in planning, commissioning and preparing acts of terrorism in Balochistan through Indian consulates based in Kandahar and Heart (report of Foreign Affairs, by Christine Fair of RAND Corporation). Iran’s quest for regional supremacy has led to undermine Pakistan’s strategic interests in the region. Iran has developed its Chabahar port to counter Gwadar port, which is just 100 miles from Gwadar port of Pakistan. Iran has huge reserves of gas and India wants to gain access to these reserves. India believes that Pakistan is at the brink of break up and India must focus on building its relationship with Central Asia, Iran, and Afghanistan, and capture oil and gas reserves from Central Asia and Iran, through Afghanistan and Pakistan. Washington's interests in Balochistan have become very pronounced over the period of time. To begin US wants to encircle China by not allowing pipeline from Iran through Western China via Pakistan. The US objective is to control the port of Gwadar, and eventually start their dream oil pipeline from Central Asia, through Afghanistan into Balochistan and Gwadar. Moreover, US want to use Balochistan as a base to carry out covert operations against Iran using Jandullah.
Today, the Baloch national resistance is more widespread acquiring many dimensions. The nationalists are demanding more autonomy within the federation of Pakistan. Political and economic disputes need to be addressed through a policy of reconciliation and mutual accommodation. The attitude of the Government from the very beginning has been conciliatory and compromising. The Government, on behalf of the people of Pakistan has already apologized to the people of Balochistan for the atrocities and injustices committed against them and pledged to turn over a new chapter of mutual respect in the province. The meaningful dialogue process with all the stakeholders will bring perpetual peace in the province. The negotiation with the Baloch leadership should be conducted by calling All Party Conference (APC) at the earliest. On the Baloch side, inclusion of representative like Nawab Marri, Sardar Mengal, Brahamdag Bugti and Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleiman Daud may influence the outcome the negotiation. The other players in the Baloch nationalist camp include Balochistan’s four political parties. Lastly, the most important phase of the reconciliation process would be bringing the armed resistance groups on the negotiating table. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that BLA is a terrorist outfit and it must be dealt with accordingly. The Government needs to remain alive to the situation and make independent policy decision in the best interest of Pakistan. To counter the growing influence of the outside players operating in Balochistan, time-tested friendship with China needs further cementing. The people of Pakistan are ready to challenge this great game through determination and moral courage. Although, it is a time consuming process but a country of hundred and sixty million people whose potential is second to none in the world and after becoming a nuclear power against all the oddities, will achieve the God willing.