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 discussion on Bugti may have stopped here and in Pakistan for the time being but it will NOT go away. It will come back and haunt us again and again.
Interesting that no one even mentions Bugto anymore. General Musharraf’s tour may not have achieved anything else, but it did wipe of Bugti’s killing off our memories.
It is not surprsing but sad that this killing is already forgotten. No one asked Musharraf about this in his many tv interviews in USA!
in my views itd not batter policy of government because nawab akbar bhugti is our great leader and was participated in my country peoblems. He was the owner of his place and time of independance he was free to join the country or live free but he prefer pakistan because of countryhood.On the other hand he was the previous Governor or a good pokitical leader. Government would not kill him because he is a pokitition.If he is dangerous for the country then government should arrest him and then after some time kill him secretky
There is an interesting and insightful editorial in today’s (Sep. 21) Daily Times on Akbar Bugti’s manner of death and the stories that the government fed to the media about it. Here is the link to it: http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=20069\21 \main_21-9-2006_pg3