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.
Adil, I am so glad you put that picture of the young Bugti with Jinnah.
For most of his political life he was actually amongst the relatively ‘moderate’ Baloch nationalists. In many ways in the the high-handedness of the military govt. that forced him into this corner.
As a feudal who kept his area backwards I have many differences with his politics. But he was a major national leader with a great following and a long history of democratic politics. It is a sad day when anyone dies. It is sadder when a major leader dies. But saddest of all is how he died and at whose hands. Let us all pray for peace.
Indefinite curfew imposed in Quetta:
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?typ e=worldNews&storyID=2006-08-27T050657Z_01_L2646656 5_RTRUKOC_0_US-PAKISTAN-VIOLENCE.xml&archived=Fals e
“As news of his death spread late on Saturday, protesters took to the streets of Quetta, the provincial capital. More than a dozen vehicles were burned and at least three banks and a petrol station were torched, residents said. There were no reports of any casualties in the protests but about 100 people, most of them students, were arrested, police said.”
Well Adnan, we should also remember that he remianed an elected chief minister of Baluchistan and also was elected to the National Assembly. He had a support base, which was not limited to the Bugti tribe alone. His views had hardened over a period of time primarily due to the way the Centre/establishment was handling Baluchistan. Have you been to Baluchistan ever? The province has some very genuine grievances – quite similar to what had led to the “fall of Dhaka” in 1971.
His death is a tragic event because it creats a very dangerous trend, which can be (and will be) detrimental to the federation of Pakistan. One may strongly differ with his political opinion and ways (blackmailing the state for gas royalties, etc) but killing him in this brutal fashion is worst than all what he was accused of. Also he could have left Pakistan like some other well known political leaders and save his life but he decided otherwise. There is no evidence so far of any outside help to him.
News in india
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/key-pak-tribal-leader- killed-by-army/19820-2.html
Why is it a SAD news???because Musharraf took action against him?You know know how much those balochis and we karachiites have suffered due to that Balochistan Liberation Army.They used to wave Black Flag on 14th of August.
At one side we whine about bad politicians and on other hand we are mourning on their deaths.I am glad about this operation.He was running a movement for sepration and was being aided by neighbouring countries.I see when General starts some operation against other corrupt politicians.”Latoun k bhoot batoun se nahi mantay”