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.
Hi Everyone,With respect to all opinions laid here,I would like to comment under my knowledge here….
I believe, there are two things,One Bughti as a Personality…Second,Killing of a Politician…these are two different things…
We know from facts that whatever was Bughti up to was not in favour of Pakistan…He was Cruel,He killed many people….He was Stubborn…..Now Bughti’s Era is over…But the way he was Killed has made him alot more famous than he ever was…..Just like Bhuto….He was assasinated…..God knows what ever he was also up to ..peope were against jim as welll….but after he was hanged..He got the degree of Shaheed….which was not possible if he would have died under natural circumstances as a kind of politician he was…….The Point is…. Bhugti’s Ghost will live much longer than he himself did…..
I personally agree with Muscharaf on alot of points..Like development of Dams….Liberating people of Feudle…..but i hardly see any futuristic aproach in this decision of gettng rid of Politicians…
These sort of articles have been in circulation for quite some time….see links below.
Do they serve the purpose of exposing certain agendas or is the purpose to release the ‘information’ to influence the thinking of the readers and thereby increase the level of acceptance of the things to come….??What role the ongoing events have in the big scheme of things…if any??
http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2006/06/1833899
See also gulf news of 29 august:
New World Order through constructive chaos
August 29, 2006
By Munir Daair, Special to Gulf News
Iwas extremely disappointed when i heard about the death of veteran politician NAWAB AKBER KHAN BUGTI. i think our government is found to be irrelevant to pakistan, It is supposed to be bringing huge disaster for the citizens of pakistan. TALBAN and PAKISTAN both were firends and both were found guilty in American’s point of view. TALBANS were hunged up and pakistan is being kept in prison. Military action against civilian is a proof of unbearable destruction. Due to wrong strategy The government have not only killed NAWAB AKBER KHAN BUGTI but have lost its sovereignty.
Anybody who takes arms against the government needs to be dis-armed ASAP.
You cannot have a state within a state. Pakistan has multiple states running within
itself and thats not tollerable at all. The problems in Balochistan and other areas
should have been dealt with in 1960’s and 1970’s, look at how India dealt with their
internal problems in 50’s and 60’s and as a result they r prospering right now.
A state with in a state should not and can not be tolerated, regardless where it exists. The writ of the government must be preserved.
When a group or an individual take the law in to their own hands and try to resolve differences by force than the out come of this nature should be expected. There are many examples in the history of such an out come.
In my opinion, the people or parties involved in destroying the properties, burning, looting etc. must be required to compensate for the damage. They should be kept in jail until they pay for all the damages caused by their actions.