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.
Tragic..a stubborn mercurial man..but even Bhutto did not kill the Sardars
Duh as if Bhutto was a Saint?I really despise he is called as “Shaheed”.We dnt miss chance to use religion for our own intrest *grin*
Hasan Abbas, you might have relied on different news resources while my uncle used to work in SUI company so i have lots of things about him.So I dnt think i need to rely any news sources to potray him as an *evil*.Doesnt matter he was selected or not.Pakistan is ruled by fudals,whats new in it?
Hasan,will due respect,you are an author so you would definately speak in language of an author.I speak in language of a layman who belongs to this country and specially from karachi who has suffered many times by such evil elements backed by neighbour country.Dont you the country embassy who have been controlling all terrorism machinary in balochistan?
and which dangerous trend are you talking about?Where was that trend when Benazir killed his own brother and other party members like Najeeb?and Altaf killed Azeem Tariq?I think this is the first good thing came out from the pocket of Musharraf.I do not favor his operation in Waziristan but definately was in favor of balochistan army.Balochistan is a very hot region and many countries(i repeat many countries) with watered mouth looking to capture that particular area.I hope they would have recieved a good message by Pakistan govt.
I agree with Adnan. What exactly are you guys mourning. We should be celebrating the death of a terrorist and avowed enemy of the state. Bugti, Mari, and Mengal have held Balochistan hostage by indulging in terrorism for a long time. They are implicated in countless murders, blowing up gas pipelines, kidnapping foreign engineers for ransom, paying for terrorist bombings in Karachi, indulging in drug and weapon smuggling, killing government officials including high court judges, and the charge sheet of crimes against Pakistan continues.
Even with their own, these are the most violent tribes in the province. When they weren’t fighting Pakistani troops, they were fighting each other. All of them have killed each others sons to the point of decimating their own bloodlines. They have been involved in tribal cleansing of smaller tribes from their territories. They have held the province back by creating a hostile environment in the province that is not condusive to any investment in industry or public infrastructure. They weren’t looking for higher royalties for the province. They were seeking more money for their personal coffers.
Their has to come a point in our collective thought where we realize that the tragedy of 1971 was inevitable. But we can’t let the memory haunt us from doing the right thing now. The situation is not the same.
Aziz Akhmed, Baloch or Baluch or Balouch is the same thing. I should know I am a Baloch from Korai tribe. The persian tribes use Baluch. Same banana.
i came here to write something… but adnan beat me to it. i agree with him wholeheartedly!
good post adil :)