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.
This was not about removing feudalism. It was about removing one feudal. And immeidtaely afterwards the govt. has made pacts with other feudals. Eventually this will strengthen the Sardari system, not weaken it.
I agree with PatExpat’s argument. All these Jams and Jamalis are as hopeless as probably Bugti was. But they are considered sin-less and safe because they are with the government.
Nadeem: Yes, you are right. Why should one take up arms against his/her own governmet? There must be something terribly wrong somewhere that makes do so unless, of course, they are plain crazy.
And, yes, as pointed out elsewhere on this blog, you will begin to understand Balochistan when you understand the difference between Baloch and Balochi.
Nadeem, I specifically said that his principles were his own. We can judge them as right or wrong. For arguments sake, lets assume they were wrong. What the heck, he was a mindless, toothless, merciless and spineless Sardar. This was holding back progress in his fiefdom.
Musharraf has made loud claims that only 3 out of the 75 Sardars are threat to national stability and holding back progress. My question was what about the remaining 72 Sardars. Just because they are in government’s pocket, maintain a low profile; has any development educational, infrastructural, economical or social taken place in their fiefdoms. The answer is No! They are as backward and ruthless as Bugti when it comes to their subordinates.
If you and me are both alive say in next five years, we shall see how much progress has taken place in Baluchistan as the thorn (Bugti)in Musharraf’s side has been taken care of. And progress is not measured by how much revenue Gwadar brings. It will be measured by improvement in social educational, and economic standards of people of Balochistan where all the Sardars are now on governments side.
So I guess, being principled means taking up arms against your own government and blowing up the gas pipelines that supplies to Schools, Hosptials and Industries to prove your point?…..His principles were…He wanted more money for his private army from the Government not for the Baluchi or for Baluchistan and thats why he opted to fight against the Government by inciting the idea of opression of Baluchis.
Why are we feeling sad about the Death of Bugti. My only regret is SSG did not get him earlier. Man was the symbol of tyranny with his own private jails and servent with the cut out tongues so they won’t reveal the family secrets. He and other feudal lord like him in Baluchistan are the ones standing in the way of Balochi Progress. Govt of Pakistan paid him Royalties in Carore of Rupees and what did he do with it?…..He bought Guns, Guns and more Guns. That money should have been spent in building school and colleges for Baluchi and for their education. Why he did not do it? I will tell you why, because Tyranny when faced with real power always plays a victim. He despite being the tyrannical figure himself convinced the country that he is merely a victim to the opression of Pakistani Government.