Bugtis running the Show in Baluchistan

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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I am not sure why the government is acting in such a spineless manner against this band of thugs. Second Pakistani soldier killed within fourty-eight hours..

Rocket attack kills one soldier, wounds three others: MULTAN, Aug 06: Rocket attack on a checkpoint of rangers killed one soldier and wounded three others. Reports said seven rockets were fired allegedly by the Bugti tribesmen on a checkpoint of the rangers at Kandhkot, killing one soldier and wounding three others. __ (PPI) (Posted @ 17:00 PST)

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I think bandits need to be punished harshly and the use of heavy weaponry should be banned in those areas but this link explains a bit about the locals frustration:

The Human Development Index measures a country achievements in three aspects of human development: Jul 2 (PNS) - longevity, knowledge, and a decent standard of living. Longevity is measured by life expectancy at birth; knowledge is measured by a combination of the adult literacy rate and the combined gross primary, secondary, and tertiary enrolment ratio; and standard of living, as measured by GDP per capita in dollars.
gas rich Dera Bugti, the lowest of Paistan’s districts at 0.285.

http://www.paknews.org/main.php?id=2&date1=2003-07-02

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Zakk bro, your point is very valid, and I agree that there's resentment amongst people for being neglected. But, Dera Bugti does not qualify and also the tribe of Bugti. Their tribal leaders have held Baluchistan's premiership at numerous occasions, and they have deliberately kept their own masses in such a terrible state. They are nothing more than petty highway robbers harassing people and now going as far as attacking the army. They need to be put down, period!

4

It's quite nice to sit here and say the people of Dera Bugti even the rest of Baluchistan need education, healthcare etc, while the facts on the ground tell a different tale.

Much of the Balochi speaking, educated elite (both expat and domestic) is virulantly against Pakistan and has raised the slogan for "Azad Baluchistan." In their minds, the rebellion of the 1970s has not ended instead it has become dormant. Now the irony is that people like Sardar Bugti, Mazaris etc are probably the most pro-Pakistani people you will find because they are on the payroll of Islamabad. They are nothing but warlords that pay lip service to Pakistan. If this mirrors the situation in Afghanistan, then so be it.

Baluchistan is supposedly in the spotlight with the first ever Balochi PM, a President who has done more for the province than any other leader in Pakistani history. Thus, the issue becomes how do we deal with this matter? If the Pakistani Military, which by the way, is perceived to be 100% Punjabi, goes in, we could face a wider rebellion with allied tribes joining the Bugtis. Or do we employ the Frontier Corps, percieved to be 100% Pashtuns serving as the tools of Islamabad, to seal the Bugti area? Outlaw, it's a tough call to make.

Baluchistan is one major area where, we as Pakistanis have failed to integrate. Balochis and their language, culture etc are never given the paramount status given to the other provinces with larger populations. Another oddity of the Baloch plight is highlighted by the fact that there are more ethnic Balochis outside of the 'Balochistan' province then inside it. Upper Sindh + Karachi, Southern Punjab (Rajanpur, DG Khan, Muzzafargarh), and DI Khan have large Baluchi populations.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by RajputFury: *
It's quite nice to sit here and say the people of Dera Bugti even the rest of Baluchistan need education, healthcare etc, while the facts on the ground tell a different tale.
[/QUOTE]

I want to ask you the same question. What was Akbar Bugti doing when he was the Chief Minister of Baluchistan, or what's been happening to the royalties from Natural gas revenues given to the Bugtis.

No one is denying the depravation suffered by the Baluchis. But, you cannot neglect the efforst made by the present government to improve the economic situation in Baluchistan. Projects such the Port of Gwadar; the arterial highway and railway links under construction joining CARs and the rest of the country with Baluchistan; the Saindak gold and copper mining project specifically designed to hire majority of the locals. Lastly, the government recently negotiated an economic compensation package with the Bugtis, and it seems like they are still not content.

[QUOTE]
Much of the Balochi speaking, educated elite (both expat and domestic) is virulantly against Pakistan and has raised the slogan for "Azad Baluchistan." In their minds, the rebellion of the 1970s has not ended instead it has become dormant. Now the irony is that people like Sardar Bugti, Mazaris etc are probably the most pro-Pakistani people you will find because they are on the payroll of Islamabad. They are nothing but warlords that pay lip service to Pakistan. If this mirrors the situation in Afghanistan, then so be it.

Baluchistan is supposedly in the spotlight with the first ever Balochi PM, a President who has done more for the province than any other leader in Pakistani history. Thus, the issue becomes how do we deal with this matter? If the Pakistani Military, which by the way, is perceived to be 100% Punjabi, goes in, we could face a wider rebellion with allied tribes joining the Bugtis. Or do we employ the Frontier Corps, perceived to be 100% Pashtuns serving as the tools of Islamabad, to seal the Bugti area? Outlaw, it's a tough call to make.
[/QUOTE]

How come only the Bugtis are blowing up gas pipelines, hijacking police personnel, killing army soldiers. You won't see any other tribal members indulge in similar activities, especially their arch-rivals; the Mazaris. And what a joke quoting Bugtis as Pro-Pakistani..pro-his-own-pocket maybe, but I have never heard a single pro-pakistani statement coming from him.

I can't speak on behalf of the Pakistani Army, but I am quite sure that everyone has had enough, and some sort of action is imminent. If attacking installations with strategic national importance, and killing army personnel is not a revolt then what is..?

[QUOTE]
Baluchistan is one major area where, we as Pakistanis have failed to integrate. Balochis and their language, culture etc are never given the paramount status given to the other provinces with larger populations. Another oddity of the Baloch plight is highlighted by the fact that there are more ethnic Balochis outside of the 'Balochistan' province then inside it. Upper Sindh + Karachi, Southern Punjab (Rajanpur, DG Khan, Muzzafargarh), and DI Khan have large Baluchi populations.
[/QUOTE]

I know that there are lots of Baluchis in and around DG Khan, Kashmore, and adjacent areas; but the majority of them are not anti-pakistani, at least the ones in Punjab. There maybe some resentment, but you may find similar grievances in other parts of the country for other reasons. Plus, Baluchistan has huge pashtoon population, and all the major cities are dominated by pashtoons. So, you cannot say that the FC is seen some sort of puppet of Islamabad. It's not a matter of Baluchi against Punjabi, but implementing the law and order. When we have gone into the tribal areas in NWFP, then we are certainly capable of quashing a band of low-life thugs.

6

I’d like to quote the HDI report again,

http://www.tokten.org.pk/nhdr/htm_pages/cp_1.htm

In the group of top 31 districts of Pakistan in terms of their HDI, Punjab districts have by far the largest share at 59%, with Sind only 13%, NWFP 19% and Baluchistan with the smallest share at 9%. There is clearly a concentration of high ranking districts of Pakistan in the Punjab province (in terms of HDI). Conversely in the group of bottom 30 districts of Pakistan (in terms of HDI) Punjab has none, while Sindh has 19%, Baluchistan as much as 47% and NWFP 34%. In the group of middle 30 districts (in terms of HDI), both Punjab and Sindh have relatively high shares, 32% and 29% respectively, while NWFP has 21% and Baluchistan 18%.

Out of the 10 poorest districts in Pakistan, 5 ( or 25% of all Baluchistan districts districts)are from Baluchistan and in Baloch dominated districts, 4 are from NWFP and mostly Pashtun dominates areas and only one from Sindh. The district wise profile is available on the web site.

Now to answer some of the points made:

**What was Akbar Bugti doing when he was the Chief Minister of Baluchistan, or what’s been happening to the royalties from Natural gas revenues given to the Bugtis. **

Outlaw, as I said I am not supporter of Akbar Bugti, banditry is banditry, but when it comes to gas royalties please remember Natural resources are under the control of the Federal government and as such the Provincial government can apss resolution after resolution those in charge of Natural resources are under no obligation to implement any agreement. In fact the present governor of Baluchistan (a former lt General and ethnic Baluch) was on record as having said: the royalty given for the gas in Sindh is 10 to 12 times more than what is being given to Balochistan.

But, you cannot neglect the efforst made by the present government to improve the economic situation in Baluchistan

I do not doubt that, in fact it is a sad relfection of National priorities that it took an Army dictator to start of the biggest round of development in the Provinces recent history and a credit to Pervais Musharraf as well. And it did pay dividens, after 3 years Zubedia Jalal, from a lower income family and a self made woman defeated a coalition of other parties in the recent election. When you sincerely invest in any area you get results.

**I want to ask you the same question. What was Akbar Bugti doing when he was the Chief Minister of Baluchistan, or what’s been happening to the royalties from Natural gas revenues given to the Bugtis. **

True Bugti has a lot to answer for, but since Baluchistan was given it’s own province in 1973, out of 30 years Bugti has only been in power for a maximum of 3 years. In fact no pro Ethnic Parties have not been alowed to operate the provincial government for more than a short time before they were dismissed or toppled from within.

In the end the actions of bandits should not be condoned, but it is a consequence of Pakistani leaders own policy of neglect, a province that when it’s resources are taken into account should be the richest is the countries poorest.

7

**
I want to ask you the same question. What was Akbar Bugti doing when he was the Chief Minister of Baluchistan, or what's been happening to the royalties from Natural gas revenues given to the Bugtis.
**

He filled his coffers. Made sure his people remained backward and kept the resentment towards Pakistan high.

**
No one is denying the depravation suffered by the Baluchis. But, you cannot neglect the efforst made by the present government to improve the economic situation in Baluchistan. Projects such the Port of Gwadar; the arterial highway and railway links under construction joining CARs and the rest of the country with Baluchistan; the Saindak gold and copper mining project specifically designed to hire majority of the locals. Lastly, the government recently negotiated an economic compensation package with the Bugtis, and it seems like they are still not content.
**

I am not denying the efforts made by the present Pakistani regime. However, let me ask how long has it been? Less than 5 years, you cannot expect the resentments of over 50 years to be washed away.

**
How come only the Bugtis are blowing up gas pipelines, hijacking police personnel, killing army soldiers. You won't see any other tribal members indulge in similar activities, especially their arch-rivals; the Mazaris. And what a joke quoting Bugtis as Pro-Pakistani..pro-his-own-pocket maybe, but I have never heard a single pro-pakistani statement coming from him.
**

I would call it a low level guerilla campaign. Bugti IS still Pro-Pakistani much like many of his fellow Baloch sardars..believe me, if he wasn't, I can assure you that much of the Baloch speaking province would be up in rebellion again. I recall reading an article (will dig it up if you like) where Balochis consider leaving their province to be traveling to another country even when it is in Pakistan. A very, very large segment is disillusioned with the Pakistani state.

**
I can't speak on behalf of the Pakistani Army, but I am quite sure that everyone has had enough, and some sort of action is imminent. If attacking installations with strategic national importance, and killing army personnel is not a revolt then what is..?
**

I agree, however Balochistan is one province where the Army is treading lightly, with good reason. Like I said earlier, it is a low level campaign.
**
I know that there are lots of Baluchis in and around DG Khan, Kashmore, and adjacent areas; but the majority of them are not anti-pakistani, at least the ones in Punjab. There maybe some resentment, but you may find similar grievances in other parts of the country for other reasons. Plus, Baluchistan has huge pashtoon population, and all the major cities are dominated by pashtoons. So, you cannot say that the FC is seen some sort of puppet of Islamabad. It's not a matter of Baluchi against Punjabi, but implementing the law and order. When we have gone into the tribal areas in NWFP, then we are certainly capable of quashing a band of low-life thugs. **

The Balochis in Punjab, Sindh, and NWFP are more integrated into the relatively better developed Province's economies, so there is much less resentment. If you ever get a chance to meet a Balochistan based Balochi, I will assure you that he/she will have many grievances, many of them are legit. What better example of Balochi alienation, than the fact that in all my stay here on Gupshup, I have yet to see a Balochi speak up.

Despite having a large population, the Frontier Corps and Pashtuns in favor of Pakistan, ARE seen as tools of Islamabad. I am not saying it is correct but it is what they THINK. Outlaw, I am Punjabi, in fact, I come from the part of Punjab that is heavily recruited into the armed forces, so I know much of the anti-Punjab hysteria is pure BS. Punjab is what I like to call the punching bag of Pakistan, and whats sadder, is the fact that so called Punjabis tolerate the nonesense. I cannot change peoples perceptions, however what I can do is try to put the truth on the table.

I fully agree that it's a law and order situation. The sardars of Balochistan have kept the province in horrible state. It is still the most fuedal province. In fact much of Sindh's fuedalism is directly related to Baluchistan, after all a wadero has been historically vassal of the Sardar.

8

An update a new Governor has just been appointed, the new Governor is related to the late Sardar Nishtar

Owais confirms his nomination: Balochistan governor

http://www.dawn.com/2003/08/09/top3.htm
By Ismail Khan

PESHAWAR, Aug 8: Former federal minister Owais Ahmad Ghani has confirmed that he has been nominated as the next governor of Balochistan to succeed Lt Gen Abdul Quadir Baloch.

Mr Ghani, who was federal minister for labour in the Musharraf-led military government and later minister for industries in the NWFP until before the October general elections, met President Musharraf and senior government officials on Wednesday and was briefed on his new assignment.

A formal notification is yet to come, but Mr Ghani confirmed his nomination to Dawn . “I was sounded out on the matter a few days ago. I sought a couple of days to think it over and later I confirmed my availability and consent”, he said.

Mr Ghani said that he had been put on notice and would proceed to Quetta in a day or two to take up his new assignment. He said that the president clearly indicated to him his commitment regarding the continuation of the government in Balochistan and the democratic process in the country. “He wants the system to work.”

A mechanical engineer by profession, 52-year-old Owais Ghani is a Kakar Pushtun by tribe, whose ancestors had migrated from Ghwara Margai in Kandahar in southwestern Afghanistan to Muslim Bagh in Zhob district of Balochistan before migrating to Peshawar in the late 1880s to escape a blood feud.

One reason why Lt Gen Quadir was shown the door, a highly- placed source said, was that he hailed from the relatively small Zehri tribe in Balochistan and he could not play his role effectively keeping in view the dominant influence of the much stronger sardars of other major tribes.

The source said that there were only two names on the panel that were considered for the job in Balochistan. The other was that of incumbent Corps Commander Lt Gen Ali Jan Orakzai.

The names of Maulana Shirani or that of Malik Sikandar were not discussed, the source maintained. “The change in Balochistan has nothing to do with the ongoing talks with the MMA. It is not even remotely associated with a possible deal with the MMA”.

The source discounted the possibility of an immediate gubernatorial change in the NWFP. The source said it so happened that the day Lt Gen Quadir resigned as governor of Balochistan, NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah had a meeting with President Musharraf. “It was a courtesy call and nothing else,” the source said, but it led to speculation that a change was also due in the Frontier.

The source said that Governor Iftikhar was proceeding on a private visit abroad along with his family and the meeting was aimed at seeking President Musharraf’s consent. “It was a mere coincidence that the day Gen Iftikhar met with the president, the Balochistan governor resigned.”

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^ Another comment, why is that Baluchistan probably has the record in the number of non residents appointed as Governor? In case of Owais Ghani, he barely knows the province of his ancestors and I think speaks little pashto (even if he does speak pashto, his dialect will be very different)

10

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Zakk: *
^ Another comment, why is that Baluchistan probably has the record in the number of non residents appointed as Governor? In case of Owais Ghani, he barely knows the province of his ancestors and I think speaks little pashto (even if he does speak pashto, his dialect will be very different)
[/QUOTE]

No doubt anbout it. This is one of the reasons why I had earlier mentioned regarding Baloch dissatisfaction. Come on now, the Baloch nationalists will have field day with this guy being a "tool of Islmabad." To be fair, his family just passed through Balochistan.

I refuse to believe that there aren't any qualified Balochistan based Balochis or Pashtuns to lead the province..