See recent interview with Brahamdagh Bugti | October 2, 2010 | Interview
Article also published in Daily Times | October 9, 2010 | Read story

by Khalid Hayat Jamaldini

Whenever the issue of Balochistan's unrest is raised with neighboring countries, Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik demands the handover of Brahamdagh Bugti. Mr. Malik holds this young man in his 30's responsible for the insurgency in Balochistan. Malik blames Afghanistan for providing him shelter and India for issuing him an Indian passport. Pakistan warned in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt that it will hand over to the Indian government, evidence that its agencies are backing Bugti. They vowed to do the same thing to Afghanistan we are yet to see this happen publicly.

Brahamdagh's political resume is not so impressive; his public appearance is limited compared to other Baloch leaders. However, he has become rather popular with the Youths in a short span of time. His popularity could be attributed to his close association with his late grandfather, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. Nawab Bugti, who lost his life while fighting for Baloch autonomy, was assassinated in the mountains of Balochistan on August, 26 2006 during General Musharraf's regime.

Brahamdagh is wanted by Pakistan for his alleged anti-state activities. No one knows where he is. Perhaps the government knows as it often claims that he is in Afghanistan. Following the murder of his grandfather, Brahamdagh established the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) to continue the struggle for Baloch Rights. But the government accuses him of leading the radical Baloch Republican Army (BRA). The latter has links to various anti state activities including killing of settler and paramilitary officials in Balochistan; damaging government property especially gas pipelines along Punjab.

On a recent visit to Balochistan, the Interior Minister banned BRP activities and enlisted it among other anti-state movement parties. The party's bank account was seized, its offices throughout the province shut down, and its staff fled underground. Unfortunately, the Balochistan Director General (DG) of Frontier Constabulary's (FC) views Brahamdagh in quite the same manner as Malik. The FC also blames him for causing alarm in the province. This is further confirmed by the Minister's latest statement that it will not "˜free' Balochistan.

"Brahamdagh had not responded positively to the government's offer of talk therefore, the government will use all its force to keep its grip in Balochistan" warned the Minister. He then handed over the province to the FC for a period of three months to restore peace.

This time target actions will be carried out based on "real intelligence" reports, the Minister declared. Although the FC does not have the power to raid or search, the federal government has given the Chief Minister of Balochistan the right to forward these powers to the FC. However, the CM conceded that the FC is not under its control, and admitted that a negotiation is still the best method to bring about peace and stability in the region instead of using force.

A List of questions comes in mind when we observe Pakistan's strategies, for example, why is Mr. Malik so "˜obsessed' with this young man? If Mr. Malik has been trying to lure him to the negotiation table, why has he failed so far? Why a "˜teenager' would as Mr. Malik describes him chooses to seek the independence of Balochistan? Why would Malik use force to teach him a lesson?

One would also be compelled to ask: why has this youth sacrificed his luxurious life - which was definitely not as well off as the Bhutto- Zardari or Sharif's families - but he chooses the path to fight for his people in the mountains and deserts? How could someone who has not been popularized like the kids of Bhutto- Zardari or Sharif's nor were millions of rupees spent on his education become so famous among the Baloch youth?

Mr. Malik needs to do his homework when it comes to the issues plaguing the Balochistan people instead of playing watch dog to Brahamdagh. Malik must be well aware that the Balochs are being deprived of their rights to liberty, democracy and autonomy in the hands of Pakistan's oppressive regime. Many were murdered and are involuntarily disappeared on a daily basis. Instead of trailing Brahamdagh like a jilted lover, Malik should ask why Balochistan has the highest rate in poverty and illiteracy, but lacking in infrastructure, job opportunities, and little access to basic amenities. Why after all these years has Balochistan not accorded basic rights to its own resources? Resources that are being highly utilized by Pakistan for the last 63 years!

Malik, should be reminded that when Zardari was elected President in February 2008, on behalf of the so called democratic government he had issued a public apology for the atrocities and injustices to the people of Balochistan. However, this "˜apology' seems to have ended in a violent threat to administer force so that the Balochs continue to remain slaves of Pakistan.

A Pakistani TV channel (ARY) president Dr. Shahid Masood advised the people not to take Malik's statement seriously as he frequently flip-flops and does not understand the gravity of the problems in Balochistan. I agree that Malik's incompetency is turning Balochistan into a living hell.

Balochs are liberal, secular minded and are constantly fighting against extremism. However they are presented as being insular to the world by Pakistan - all because they are reclaiming their basic human rights according to the 1948 United Nation Declaration on Human rights. Brahamdagh is one of the Baloch leaders standing courageously on the front lines of this ongoing fight of independency. I think that is what makes him a thorn in the eyes of Mr. Malik.

The writer belongs to Balochistan and writes on the issue of Balochistan for international and national websites and papers. He can be reached at khalidhayat77@yahoo.com

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Two new poems by Khalid Hayat Jamaldini:

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Do not assess our tolerance

Don't assess our tolerance by gifting us dead bodies

We tolerated your discrimination for the last six decade

We will not tolerate you now

The more dead bodies you will gift us

The more anger and hate you will receive from us

We will stand as nation in front of you

We will fight as one nation toward your injustice

Don't assess our tolerance

Don't assess our tolerance

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Do not turn my land to hell

Do not turn my land to hell for my people

It is the heaven of my people

Stop the bloodshed of my people

Stop the injustice to my people

Stop the atrocities of my people

Do not make my land a hell for my people

It is a heaven for my people

Its deserts are superior for me than your vast green lands

Its dry mountains are superior for me than your vast green lands

Do not turn my land to hell for my people

It is the heaven of my people

Stop sowing radicalism in my land

Stop sowing terrorism in my land

Stop sowing hatred among the man of my land

We are a liberal nation

We are a secular nation

Do not turn my land to hell for my people

Despite of its dry mountain and burning deserts it is the heaven of my people