Adil Najam
Government sources in Pakistan have just announced that Nawab Akbar Bugti, chief of the Bugti tribe, veteran politician, and senior Baluchistan leader, has been killed in a shootout between “tribal militants and government forces” in Balochistan.
This is very sad and disturbing news that cannot bode well for anyone. While details are still coming in, BBC reports:
The battle near his mountain hideout in south-west Pakistan also caused heavy casualties on both sides, reports say. More than 20 soldiers and at least 30 rebels died, officials say. The octogenarian has been at the head of a tribal campaign to win political autonomy and a greater share of revenue from Balochistan’s gas reserves. “It is confirmed, Nawab Bugti has been killed in an operation,” Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani told Reuters news agency. The battle reportedly took place near the town of Dera Bugti, not far from Mr Bugti’s hideout.
According to a newsflash posted on The News website:
Jamhori Watan Party (JWP) chief Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed in a historical operation carried out by security forces in Kohlu and Murree tribal areas on Saturday night, Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani confirmed… Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP-P) leader Makhdoom Amin Faheem termed Akbar Bugti’s death an incident which could worsen security situation in Pakistan.
The death, and the manner of death, of the veteran Baluch leader will indeed worsen the security situation in Baluchistan and exacerbate the feeling of marginalization amongst Baluchis. Nawab Bugti had, at various points in his life, ‘butted heads’ with just about all major leaders in Pakistan. His recent standoff with the Musharraf government was not the highpoint of his own political career but it may well be the lowest point of the Musharraf rule. However, more than the implications on immediate politics – which will become more clear and more pronounced over the next many days – this marks a tragic end to the life of an important political leader.
Born on July 12, 1927, Nawab Bugto was a ‘ tribal’ who was educated at Oxford, England, Aitchison College, Lahore and Karachi Grammar School and has served as Governor and Chief Minister of Baluchistan. Mr. Bugti’s legacy was clearly a mixed one and will be much debated and much dissected. He was, however, a major leader and this was indeed a sad and tragic way to go.
Assalam-O-Alaykum,
My dear Pakistanis, Islamically or ethically this is not the way to correct things. Akbar Bugti, Waziristan, MQM, Bhutto, labenan, palestine, kashmir etc these are only the figures but the theme is same, ruling party is using powers against their oppositions illegally. Use of power, should always be in safe hand otherwise everyone must remember DHAKA.
By the way, I would also like to say, dont just beleive what Media is telling you, please think and consider every aspect. A glass of water could be HALF FILLED or HALF EMPTY. Be positive
By the way, please please dont celeberate anybody’s death, say INNA LILLAH WA INNA ILAYHI RAJION, learn something if you can learn from the experience and try to practice good experiences and avoid bad experiences.
Allah bless all Muslims and Pakistanis (Amin)
Mr. Bhaila, thank you for accepting my point. I am glad and impressed to see that you have not acted as an ” unreasonable and a nasty kid” described in an example by Saifulmaluk in an earlier comment.
Saif:Its an absurd comparison of Bugti and Mujeeb.
You may dislike Bugti for so many different reasons, but let us not lose sight of some of
the facts:
facts?you are intentially twisting things?Blaming mullahs by covering a pathetic fudal?tsk tsk.Fact is he did make life hell of ppl in his trible and around.He banned education on tribe kids(is it not more pathetic than taliban who bannned women education for a genuine reason)?
Unlike you,I didnt need to rely on papers since my relative spent a good time in tht area as an employee of Sui company so he used to tell me ground realities of that area.No matter how many words are *wasted* for his praise.He will not be remembered in good words.I dont know where are you from but we Karachiites has paid a big price by his army and BLA.The political and diplomatic statments doesnt change the facts.
Well Mr. Khan that is a good point I am afraid I dont have an answer almost everyone believes that Bugti didnt survive, Only time will tell.
Mr. Bhaila,
My question was simply that if Bugti’s body has still not been found then how could someone confirm that Bugti perished in the encounter. Mr. Ali Raza has also volunteered to speak on your behalf and has quoted the dimensions of the cave but question that is still begging an answer is: If one has not seen the body, how can one confirm the person is dead?