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.
naheen chooreen ge army ko
alarmed by pindiwallas and quettawallas statement by MQ! really irresponsible!!
Its Pakistan tht we tawkin abt not Bugti!wat single step he took to educate his people the Marris,Bugtis,Legharis,Jamalis Mengals have their dynasty in this system.Its their bread n butter they themselves un want to rebuild Balucistan and fer the sake of their own pockets they defend by saying they working for BALAUCH’s.wat a pity!!im not rationalising his death with his acts or wat ever govt did!but he asked fer it!and if he was so loyal y he kept on saying increase his royalty of gas money ?cashing on even dr shazia case!i wud ve loved him if he had said the baluach will stand with dr shazia and wont ask fer royalty if the real scondrer the army captian be brought to justice!its dirty politics frnds he played dirty and had a dirty end!he was fer his own dynasty,look fer a video where his grand son is conviicting an ADULTERY case by makin a man walk on buring coal an checking ifhe gets blisters!if yes he is an adulterer an if not the otherwise!can u believe it its on BBC and watch it!such is the state of affairs!look at his pictures the guns and the aura he exudes?was he a war lord?itsa countryZ!the money he had he cud have single handedly took baluchistan to hieght of power but y???? he wanted buziness a constituency to run dirty politics and throw everything on khites pindites pathans or everyone juss to have ur own way!mush and him are one an the same thing but his end was before Mush!rest dun take him as a martyr or a pakistani politician!he cud haqve won hearts but as he wasnt supposed to do so as he ruled by fear he got a tragic end!
Badla Zaroor Milege Armys Ko INSHALLAH Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti Ka….
Just like Zulfiqar Bhuttos use of violence against Balochistan made things worse, the current governments use of violence is also making things worse. People in both Frontier and Balochistan are getting fed up with Musharraf and PPP already has no credibility anywhere and Muslim League is just a joke whether it is Nawaz Sharifs or Shujaat’s. You will now see increase in teh support of religious parties and regional parties all across.
Another link to the latest killing spree of the pakistan army
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/116228575 734.htm