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.
Though I am not fond of Mr. Bugti and sufficient amount has been written above against him. Like every human being, he may have his good points. Dr. Shazia, who was raped earlier by an army officer in Balochistan had this to say before leaving for US to save her life (as reported in NEWSLINE Feb 2006) “My mother prays for Mr. Bugti everyday”.
And have you ever realized that those of us who say that hold a referendum, Musharraf will be elected with 60% majority have never voted in the elections (district and national). I was a witness to the last referendum where truck loads of people were brought in from interior sind to National Insurance Company Building, Karachi to stamp the referendum paper hours before the election commissioner was supposed to visit for inspection.
And why is it that we have marginalized the smaller provinces that they don’t believe the centre anymore. We have a crisis in NWFP, Balochistan and dont for a moment assume that MQM has forgotten its Jinnahpur demand. The current crisis in Sind Government is that MQM wants to place its nominees in all important positions so that it has a strong establishment if push comes to shove.
I hope and pray that Jan 2007 (rigged) elections don’t lead to a civil war and mass unrest.
when Benazir killed his own brother and other party members like Najeeb?
Adnan,
Please don’t twist the facts.
Najib was killed by Altaf Hussain’s militant wing member aka Khalid Bin Waleed at the time city councilor. I was there when all this happened and even Khaled Bin Waleed use to brag about his bravery that how he accomplished this task.
Just for the record, no idea about Mutaza Bhutto but seen him cruising Clifton on SUV with couple of armed men.
Quote from Aziz Akhmed:
“While we are discussing Balochistan we may like to keep in mind the difference
between Baloch and Balochi. Baloch (not Baluch) are the people and Balochi (not Baluchi) is their language.”
With proper nouns, spellings are of no significance so it doesn’t matter how you spell Baloch/Baluch or whatever.
Death of Nawab Bugti in this manner is a tragedy, but violence breeds violence. Understandibly Bugti himself was not the intended target but when you wage war, expect the war-like outcomes. Bugti has been using the language of violence and was met with one. Also Nawab Bugti has been a bad news for Baluch people themselves, a discussion and a topic for another day.
Just to give you a taste of his followers and what they have in mind, I recommend you read this blog and make up your own minds. This is BLA/Bugti mentality in their own words without the need of opinionated views here. Typically I won’t project this site as it is hateful to Pakistan but under the circumstances its worth a read:
http://governmentofbalochistan.blogspot.com/
Also I will mention that the author of this blog claims his location to be in the Middle East, further research shows the exact location: Jerusalem (Israeli Occupied).
Here is another of their alliances: WBJA, World Baloch Jewish Alliance!
Go and enlighten yourselves….
Unlike General Zia, who flogged and hanged his opponents, General Musharraf has been a benign military ruler so far. He did not have blood on his hands. But he has now. Like Macbeth, he will be haunted by Bugti’s ghost.
DEAR ALI RAZA: Can you please tell me what this document is that you refer to the “two point agenda.” I thought I had seen all the relevant documents but had not come across this? From what they have said, this is NOT what they are asking.
DEAR ALI RAZA AND UMERA: I assume I am much much older than you so I say this very carefully and only with good intentions, Both of you quote your friends who seem to have very similar views about violence and about wanting more killing. These days many people do unfortunately. As friends, I seriously hope that both of you will sit with them and maybe convince them to seek help and psychiatric counselling. With many years experience in the field I can see such talk of glorifying violence as a symptom of possibly deeper problems. Wishing needless death and destruction is sometimes just a phase people pass through, but in others it is a serious disorder and possibly points towards violent tendencies. I hope in the case of your friends it is just a passing phase and how they speak. But, please help them before they crosses the threshold between just thinking of violent solutions as the answer to actually taking those steps: that is where terrorism really comes from.
Here is a study on one source that the language of violence comes from (media), which is not about Pakistan but is applicable to us. There is also other good research on this subject on this site: http://www.psychologymatters.org/mediaviolence.htm l