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.
The only thing that is killing me now is the unrest in the whole country. Whatever Bugti might have dine is not the question, the tactics used were not correct. The solidarity which never lied with him has made him a legend today even between those who never liked him! The analysts claiming it’s a dejavu of ’71 again plus the new map of the world from CIA in which Baluchistan is not a part of Pakistan and even some parts of Karachi, the foreign countries attaining the land in gwadaw for their consulates… From where im standing and observing I fear for my people, my country… I dont want to see a torn Pakistan… I don’t want to see Iqbal’s dream shattering right in front of my eyes and I don’t want to see Quaid’s vision bloodstained and dead…
Arvind Singh jee,
To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So there may be some reaction by Bugtis. But remember India’s Golden temple also halted the seperation movement by Sikhs!!
So outcome will depend on the resolve of the pak govt.
“It is amazing that it is the political heirs of the people who OPPOSED Pakistan, the MMA and its Islamic parties, that have become the self-styled custodians of Pakistan’s ideology,..”
Obaid, terrific point. Couldn’t agree with you more on this point. In fact these mullahs, Jamat Islami and Mododi to be specific, were the biggest opponents of Jinnah in his audience. But then they came, they saw and they destroyed whatever good there was. One could write a dissertation on the reasons why they became such custodians and hijacked Jinnah’s country. I have my reservations about these small armies within the state but I admire the overall intent of your message.
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So Mr. Azad Khan by your definition US should breakaway too, there are people who are african americans they should have a state, theres latino population so they should also have a state, theres huge amount of indians settled they should have a state there, there are chinese there are hawaiins so they should have state too. India has tamil, india has punjabis, india has marathis and oh yeah india has muslims too so all should have a state. Please try to think what you are saying. Countries are born as nations they dont just breakaway just because they have different roots. The problem of balochistan is all about how the province is progressing. It is very true that they have been deprived due to hinderances. As far as your saying that people burn cars and other properties People do stupid things does that mean that the govt is behind. If you live in Karachi you would know what people do. They protest and this is the way they do it not knowing that they are hurting themselves its the people who are at loss. We the people can stand up and bring in a change FIGHT for our right but violence is not the answer destroying our own fragile infrastructure is not the answer. Nawab sardars chaudarys they dont care a damn its the people who suffer so its the people who should stand up. Leaders dont take refuge in caves and attack infrastructure they FIGHT for their RIGHT in a non violent manner. I am really sorry but your post is very ignorant and I only agree with the last part of your post
“BUGTI’S KILLING IS NOT A GOOD MOVE”
Regards