Baloch Rights or Sardars’ Rights?

re: HP

Since you seem knowledgeable about the issues in Baluchistan, can you shed some light on the origins and politics of the BLA, which is claiming the destruction of pipelines et al in Baluchistan.

My question is: who is financially supporting the BLA?

Ciao

Interesting article. Gwadur, which was historically a key link between the subcontinent and the middle east and africa, promises to re-emerge. I understand that until 1958 it was a possession of the sultanate of oman - I am not sure what its legal status was with Pakistan before that.

Re: # 24
Why can`t Musharraf spend half that amount of money on building just 2 or 3 universities in Baluchistan where Balochis can get vocational training as well as professional education (e.g. MBA, MCS, etc)? The private sector is unwilling (or unable) to step forward in Baluchistan


The problem is not only universities, it is the opportunities available. You have an Engineering College/University in Khuzdar, but what is the job potential? Even in big towns of Panjab, like Okara, Sahiwal etc, there are virtually no jobs for MBAs or Computer Science graduates. Any job potential in this area is confined to Karachi and Lahore and to an extent in Pindi/Islamabad and Peshawar and a very limited potential in Quetta. The pressure therefore mounts on Karachi and Lahore, where the locals grab the available jobs. The problem is more of opportunities and development that creates opportunities. Even now that the mega projects have created jobs in Balochistan, there exists a huge gap in opprtunities that are available to youths in Balochistan and to those in rest of the country.
50 years of following a policy of compromises and neglect cannot be undone overnight. We had an opportunity from 1977 onwards, when we could have totally neutralised the Sardars by making the system reach the common man. Although many will say that systems do not exist in Pakistan, but many systems do work. Our system stopped at the Sardar, whereas we had promised the common Baloch a life free from domination of Sardar when Bhutto announced the end to Sardari system. The Govt failed to provide a workable alternative. Posting Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners was the Govt`s response to an area where population of a district was spread over hundreds of miles, with hardly any roads, no means of public transport and a harsh enviornment. In the Sardari system, though the common man was neglected development wise but he had his issues decided. Baloch being warring tribes where virtually every tribe, sub tribe had issues that needed resolution. The Sardars did provide that through their system. The Govt not only failed to provide an alternative to this but also failed to ensure a massive injection of funds to develop the Province. The released Baloch Sardars capitalised on this Govt neglect and continued to control the lives of the common man in their tribe. Despite an official end to the Sardari system, it has a de-facto existence.
Barring the Pashtoon dominated North Balochistan, the Balochi and Brohi belts are a picture of neglect, when you comapre them with similar areas of other provinces (Thar in Sindh, perhaps comparing with Balochistan). We should have introduced system that took into account the administraive difficulties emnating from the peculiar environment in the Province.
In 1977, when General Zia announced a general ammenesty and the `hostiles` (the terminology given to those Baloch who had taken up arms against the Central Govt) surrenederd, I recolllect a local Baloch of Wadh (hometown of AtaUllah Mengal) who had sided with the Govt as interpreter and guide saying, ` I hope you will not leave us now at the mercy of Sardars`. We did exactly that and are paying for it.

re: HP

What an excellent article!

I think the Balochi people are being short-changed by everyone here. The Bugtis, Mengals, Marris, Altaf Hussains and Musharrafs of Pakistan each have their own interests to satisfy. The Balochi people have become victims of their own illiteracy, sardari system and lack of political organization.

In the longer run, this is dangerous for Pakistan since Balochistan forms 48% of Pakistan`s land mass. It is in the interest of federal govt to ensure the inclusion of Balochis into federal institutions as well as provincial projects.

In 1992, Nawaz Sharif poured millions of ruppees from the exchequer in building a motorway between Islamabad and Lahore. Many people believe that this was a waste of money, especially since a Lahore-Faisalabad motorway would have served traders, businessmen and industrialists better.

Why can`t Musharraf spend half that amount of money on building just 2 or 3 universities in Baluchistan where Balochis can get vocational training as well as professional education (e.g. MBA, MCS, etc)? The private sector is unwilling (or unable) to step forward in Baluchistan. This only leaves room for government to fill the education gap.

Secondly, if there can be a quota system in Sindh to distribute government posts and college admissions between Urdu-speaking community and Sindhis... why can`t we have a similar quota system in Balochistan??

HP -- great piece -- painstakingly balanced -- an ocean of objective dispassionate analyses of complex political, geographic, social and cultural under currents -- described in a succint well organized easy reading with masterly economy of words......

......one of the best piece of writings I have encountered on Chowk....got educated.....

now HP can you tell us where the current impasse in Balochistan is headed........?

#15 Romair,

There are differences in conspiracy theories and political assumptions. Political assumptions are based on understanding of politicians and political parties; their known stand, their political statements, political alliances and on what they represent.
When I say that Sardar Bugti is batting for the Army, I have some historical data to believe that my assumptions about him are correct. I just gave one example believing that people would pick that up looking at the historical data that I provided in the article about Sardar Bugti.
Why would a serious politician, who is talking about national and political rights for his people, and is in some sort of armed resistance with the central government, diverts the whole issue to a rape case that has no political bearing at all?
His shenanigans took the attention away from the political and economic issues to an issue that is criminal in nature.

What would Baloch accomplish, if the army officer is arrested and placed in Jail?

Therefore, when I looked at it, I assumed that he is building a storm in the teacup to find a way to accomplish something different from the Baloch rights. Hence, my contention that he is creating a situation that would allow the army the excuse to walk in the Baloch areas to set up permanent bases.

Politicians act the same way all over the world. We had a person here screaming all over the place about WMDs to find a justification do something he had decided to do anyway!

Btw, you don’t have to be in the army to analyze the army. I was not with Napoleon but I know why he lost in Moscow!

Thanks Faruk, Temporal, Urstruly, Rahulmal, snake and feroz.

Ali,

Extremist are not just religious fanatics but in seemingly secular politics extremist come up with demands that are totally out of the whack. News media everywhere in the world thrives on sensationalism. Controversy and controversial statements would always make the headlines. When some people say things that you mentioned, they are just seeking some name recognition and they know that media would pick up their statement rather than some sane voices.
People from other provinces would come to take up the jobs in Balochistan for the simple reason that there are not enough qualified Baloch to fill up all the jobs.
Who do you blamed for this? You can look around and find the answer yourself. Balochistan needs more schools, colleges, and lots of technical training to prepare people for the jobs.
In Sindh, we have gone thru this process. There were jobs in Sindh that went to the outsiders and there was plenty of commotion until Sindhi realized that the only way to get these jobs back is to go for some college and technical education.
I doubt that Baloch will turn into a minority in Balochistan. My feeling is that people with education would move into Balochistan and inspire Baloch to get out of the rut.

If the army kills Sardar Bugti, then we may see some disturbances but chances of that happening are Zilch! He is the Pir Pagara of Balochistan!

I read this somewhere and you can enjoy it too.
“In 1975 renowned bohemian poet Habib Jalib paid a visit to Balochistan and was invited by Nawab Bugti for lunch or dinner. Jalib said on the occasion, “Sun bhaee Akbar Bugti, yeh jamhoori tehrik ab nahin rukti”, and contemptuously turned down the invitation.”

His rival tribe the kalpar Bugtis, have killed Akber Bugti’s two sons- Salim and Talat- already. Akber Bugti is so afraid for his life that he has not left Dera Bugti in the last couple of years now.

H P,
thank you for by far the most informative article on balochistan that i`ve seen yet! most tend to ignore the complexities.

HP,

Of the 5 or so articles on Baluchistan that have appeared on chowk, this one is definitely the best. And I like and trust your opinions on Pakistani politics in general...... so a couple of questions for you:

- Baluchs fear (correctly) that they will turn into a minority in Baluchistan. How can GOP allay their fears?

- Baluchs (or at least their Sardars) demand that people who migrate as a result of development should not have voting rights in Baluchistan. They should rather vote in their provinces of origin. Do think this is feasible? or desirable?

- Finally, do you think ordinary Bugtis will really care (or protest) if Akbar Bugti is killed a. la. Nek Mohammed and the Sui gas royalty aka bribe that goes to his pocket gets distributed to them directly or to a new Sardar who is more willing to share the money?

HP,
A very nice, balanced and informative article!

Regards,

HP

Good effort and very informative. Will share your board soon, for now I am trying to calm myself down from my indignation for fauj and its underlings.

HP:

welcome:)

rgds,

t

ps: am not commenting on this because my predicitible comment will mention the root cause as the occupation;)

Interesting article. Quite balanced, also. Though too many grammatical errors. You should write more, since you seem to be quite well-informed about Sind and Baluchistan. Two places, which probably very few people in Chowk have ever visited.

“Sardar Bugti has a history of relationship with the army and I think he is batting for the army so that the Army can place bases in the heart of Balochistan and Sardar Bugti can still save face.”

I think you are relying on conspiracy theories here. This is something I have never been able to understand. The more I read people’s views about the military, the more I am beginning to realize how misinformed people are about the army-civilian relationship in Pakistan. I have yet to read a single analysis on Chowk, which actually shows any kind of comprehension of this issue.

The Army is the most powerful institution in Pakistan. No doubt about it. It can basically take over the country any time it wants. Karamat could have kicked out Nawaz, had he wanted to. However, why exactly is it so powerful? Is it because it has all the guns, or is it because it is internally a strong institution? And what do the civilian leaders need to do to counter than power? And why have they been unable to get the public to follow them against the Generals (specifically against the current one)?

The reason this doesn’t get analyzed well, is probably because there aren’t too many people who have the combined civilian/military experience and/or minimal biases pro and against military and civilians, to do an objective analysis…………

Brilliant article...

Will amend the following slightly for accuracy...

``Before the 1956 One Unit, he had already started guiding the Baloch Sardars to the Azad Pakistan party and then its successors, National Awami Party. These parties consisted of remnants of the Indian National Congress cadre in Pakistan.``

Azad Pakistan Party was formed by Mian Iftikharuddin, who had been part of the Muslim League and close to Jinnah. So the remnants of INC and leftists within the Pakistan Movement, forgot their previous differences, to work together for a Progressive liberal Pakistan.... I came across some very interesting statements by Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the erstwhile Pathan Leader, in that first year.... especially when he made the ``All Pakistan Peoples` Party`` ... after pledging support and loyalty to Pakistan in his letter addressed to ``My Dear Quaid-e-Azam``...

How different Pakistan would have been, had Jinnah been allowed to incorporate Ghaffar Khan in his grand strategy in Pakistan... especially when he was painfuly aware of the presence of ``counterfeit coins``.... That plan was also sabotaged by a remnant of the Indian National Congress... the other famous Khan from NWFP, Abdul Qayoom Khan, who had switched from the Congress Party a year and a half before the creation of Pakistan.

-YLH

re: HP

Brillant! A very concise article on a very perplexing problem confrontating Pakistan. Bravo!

Ciao

Funny how we haven`t seen the usual paki-platitudes about freedom movements and rights of muslims. Instead we see some lame excuses about the sardars being at fault..

Let`s not forget, as the author points out, Balochistan was forcibly annexed into Pakistan...

Cat got your Islamist tongue now?