Gas Pipeline Blast in Baluchistan.

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
61

Zakk,

Good article, you posted. Rangers have been deployed to protect Pipelines. I'm sure, moved by Jamali would work out. He's suppose to visit trouble area on the weekend or comin' week, that's what I heard.

Mazari-Bugti are lauching rockets on each other, not on civilians who aren't members of these tribes. Mazari-Bugti tribes both are arch rival; and we all know that. How many times did Pakistani Authority came and separated them from fighting? NEVER! Because, Central Govt. doesn't control them. Neither, can stop them from fighting.

Again, tribes had no intentions to lauched attack on Gas Pipelines. Now, sure they do, that's why Rangers are there. Let's see what Jamali and Provincial Govts. can do about it. So far, they have given lip-service.

62

PT, I don't think you understand the concept of tribes very well. Tribes have all sorts of people in them. Including women, children and men who are completely innocent but are caught in the feuds. You can't just generalize that the whole tribe is this and that.

And I was in Karachi two years ago last, what about you? But, my point is that were all those people who were living in poor mohajir areas terrorists and animals? Because that's exactly how the Rangers and Police treated them. Every Urdu speaking person was guilty until proven innocent. Homes were invaded and searched and any young mohajir men were picked up, only to be released after torture and bribe by the poor families. Some of the men even disappeared never to be heard of again.

Goes to show no one is secure against brutalities of the state. Today, the Rangers could be taking care of the Balochi animals, tomorrow it will be the turn of mohajir animals again. Remember that well.

63

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Imdad Ali: *
PT, I don't think you understand the concept of tribes very well. Tribes have all sorts of people in them. Including women, children and men who are completely innocent but are caught in the feuds. You can't just generalize that the whole tribe is this and that.
[/quote]

Imdad Bhai Jaan,

I sure do understand concept of tribes. Problem is: these tribes have been fightin' each other for God knows, how long. True, there are women and children but what could Govt. do about it? How can Govt. control them since doesn't have much control on Tribes Area?

[quote]
And I was in Karachi two years ago last, what about you? But, my point is that were all those people who were living in poor mohajir areas terrorists and animals? Because that's exactly how the Rangers and Police treated them. Every Urdu speaking person was guilty until proven innocent. Homes were invaded and searched and any young mohajir men were picked up, only to be released after torture and bribe by the poor families. Some of the men even disappeared never to be heard of again.
[/quote]

I was in Karachi last year; spent great deal of time. From what I heard, my relatives and friends say that violence has been reduced alot during Mush Regime. Sectarian killings were common every day. It has almost vanished., thanks to CID. On the other hand, hijacking of cars and robbery has increased. Some my relatives, friends have been victim of it.

Nights in Karachi have returned to its greatness. :) I hung out with my cousins, friends on the streets of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Tariq Road from evening to the next morning.

[quote]
Goes to show no one is secure against brutalities of the state. Today, the Rangers could be taking care of the Balochi animals, tomorrow it will be the turn of mohajir animals again. Remember that well.
[/QUOTE]

Those were the old days, brother. I have said; and again I'm sayin' Rangers are suppose to look after Pipelines, not for Tribes. Provincial Govt. officials from Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan are goin' to have argue with the tribes. Federal Govt. has already agreed on new agreement with Bugti Tribe, as they want to. :)

Lookin' forward on next week development. :)

64

Imdad Bhai Jaan,

I sure do understand concept of tribes. Problem is: these tribes have been fightin' each other for God knows, how long. True, there are women and children but what could Govt. do about it? How can Govt. control them since doesn't have much control on Tribes Area?

**The govnt can start by listening to their PROBLEMS. Why hasn't the govnt ever done that? Do you know what stopped the fighting between the govnt and Baloch tribes in 1976? It was becuase Zia gave consessions and promises ofrights to them. Promises that were not all kept.

This mentality of controlling people and treating them as second class citizens becuase you don't agree with them on their demands for mroe rights has not worked in the past (71) and will not work in the future.
**

I was in Karachi last year; spent great deal of time. From what I heard, my relatives and friends say that violence has been reduced alot during Mush Regime. Sectarian killings were common every day. It has almost vanished., thanks to CID. On the other hand, hijacking of cars and robbery has increased. Some my relatives, friends have been victim of it.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Karachi. Where were you in Karachi during the 80's and early 90's? Living comfortably in defence out of the grip of police, rangers and MQM? Or out of the country. I don't you know firsthand what the brutalities were committed in the name of Pakistan and Islam by Army and others.

Those were the old days, brother. I have said; and again I'm sayin' Rangers are suppose to look after Pipelines, not for Tribes. Provincial Govt. officials from Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan are goin' to have argue with the tribes. Federal Govt. has already agreed on new agreement with Bugti Tribe, as they want to. :)

Rangers are supposed to look after pipelines but not the people from whose land the gas is comming through and taken from? Then I must say these Rangers are useless. Send them to Kashmir. They can guard pipelines their.

65

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *
I was in Karachi last year; spent great deal of time. From what I heard, my relatives and friends say that violence has been reduced alot during Mush Regime. Sectarian killings were common every day. It has almost vanished., thanks to CID. On the other hand, hijacking of cars and robbery has increased. Some my relatives, friends have been victim of it.

Nights in Karachi have returned to its greatness. :) I hung out with my cousins, friends on the streets of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Tariq Road from evening to the next morning.

Those were the old days, brother. I have said; and again I'm sayin' Rangers are suppose to look after Pipelines, not for Tribes. Provincial Govt. officials from Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan are goin' to have argue with the tribes. Federal Govt. has already agreed on new agreement with Bugti Tribe, as they want to. :)

Lookin' forward on next week development. :)
[/QUOTE]

Great new Brother PT! Is there anything we can do about the tribes? I mean paralells cannot be drawn between Karachi and Baluchistan. The residents of Karachi are generally more educated, more urbane with certain elements ;) hell bent on ruining the peace of the great city. Baluchistan is more of clannish closed example where education and independence is not encouraged. Most Karachiites, rejected the separatism and terrorism that ravaged the city and with their help, the city is returning to it's former greatness. While the situation in Baluchistan is getting more complex, with average people beholden to their tribes and Sardars, who are bound to follow the misguided policies of their leaders.

I mean WHAT the hell is going on? It's like Baluchistan is in flames and dragging all of Pakistan into this mess. I don't pretend to know enough about the tribes but Mazaris have long been in power in Baluchistan whereas the Bugtis have held that separatist streak...oh sorry their code word is "autonomy." We cannot allow these intra-tribal dispute to blow up like this, I think the provincial governments, as all 4 provinces have Baluchis, should set up a crisis intervention protocol to diffuse crises like these. Hope for the best for Baluchistan!

66

Brother Imdad Ali,

I don’t know what to make of your post. I’m still wonderin’ how the hell Karachi popped up in Gas Pipeline crisis? Zia’s days are over. Stop comparin’ Musharraf with Zia. Zia divided country into ethinicity and religion. Musharraf wants a Islamic Moderate Pakistan with all religion tolerance.

Sayin’ Rangers are useless, I consider Bull. They did what they had to do by fleedin’ the area. Otherwise, they could have become the victim of both tribes. What gurantee can you give to that Tribes won’t attack Rangers?

Brother RajputFury,

See this new developement: Federal Govt. takin’ up measure seriously, more accurately, with the help of Provincial Govt.

Talks with tribal Leaders next week: Gas pipeline attack

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: The federal government will convene a meeting with the Bugti and the Mazari tribes next week to settle various issues which led to gas pipelines attacks and tension in Balochistan, Interior Minister Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat said.

Talking to Dawn, the minister said that **Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali was of the opinion that the issues relating to gas royalty in his home province must be resolved through political means. **

Mr Hayat said he had been asked to hold a meeting which would be attended by the leaders of the Bugti and the Mazari tribes. “I will visit Balochistan next week in this connection,” the minister added.

**He urged leaders of both the tribes to shun their differences in the larger interest of the country and for development of their areas. **

Responding to a question, Mr Hayat said the government wanted to resolve all problems that pose a threat to the security of gas installations.

The government, he said, would also look into other issues such as agreements reached between oil exploration companies and the Bugti tribe and the overall law and order situation in the areas where gas installations were situated.

He said the government would also arrange a meeting between representatives of oil and gas exploration companies and landholders belonging to the Bugti tribe to resolve their differences.

The minister deplored that the gas pipeline attacks had brought a bad name to the country and tarnished its image in the eyes of foreign investors and oil and gas exploration companies. “We will try hard to restore their confidence,” he said.

Speaking about the steps taken by the government for the protection of gas installations in Punjab and Balochistan, Mr Hayat said a comprehensive plan had been chalked out and paramilitary forces deployed along gas installations had been directed to take every possible step for the protection of pipelines and other gas installations.

“Paramilitary forces have been allowed to use weapons in case of any attempt to attack gas installations in future,” the minister said.

Answering a question about abduction of three officials of Rajanpur police station, the minister termed the incident a ‘shock’ for the law enforcement agencies.

He said an inquiry into the incident had been initiated. “We have reports that police and area tribesmen did not enjoy good relations in the past and abduction of three police officials might have been the outcome of such confrontation,” the minister said.

He said interior secretary Tasneem Noorani and petroleum secretary Abdullah Yousuf had visited areas where paramilitary forces had been deployed for the protection of pipelines. The two officials expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements taken by the forces, he added

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Imdad said: *The govnt can start by listening to their PROBLEMS. Why hasn't the govnt ever done that? Do you know what stopped the fighting between the govnt and Baloch tribes in 1976? It was becuase Zia gave consessions and promises ofrights to them. Promises that were not all kept. *

I agree with Imdad and Rajput Fury on that comment, Zia did listen, even if he didn't do anything. People in these areas want to imrpove their lives just liek anybody else does. Unfortunately nobody cares and nobody listens till something like this happens, the rest of the time they are let at the mercy of anyone with money or power or at the mercy of old feudal concepts.

RAjput Fury said * mean WHAT the hell is going on? It's like Baluchistan is in flames and dragging all of Pakistan into this mess. I don't pretend to know enough about the tribes but Mazaris have long been in power in Baluchistan whereas the Bugtis have held that separatist streak...oh sorry their code word is "autonomy."*

The Mazari's have been very successful in Punjab politics in comparison to most Baluchi tribes. I am afraid I don't really see the separatist streak you are referring to RF; Nawab Bugti, never joined the Baluch Nationalist movement or the NAP; he also served as Governor of Baluchistan and as Minister of West pakistan in the 50's. He was disliked by Ayub Khan's government and others because he was an outspoken person. His party the JWP is also supporting the PML(Q) in Baluchistan.

Pakistan tiger said *I sure do understand concept of tribes. Problem is: these tribes have been fightin' each other for God knows, how long. True, there are women and children but what could Govt. do about it? How can Govt. control them since doesn't have much control on Tribes Area? *

The government has control when it wants to PT; back in 1995 when the Shariah movement kicked of in NWFP Malakand side. The FC went in and these heavily armed badmashes just collapsed. Unfortunately the opportunity to remove heavy weapons was wasted.

The FC and police's job is to protect people when the system breaks down. It's job is to protect the weak and people who take the law in to their own hands. As Imdad said, if they can't do that job, why do we even have them??
The FC should separate the tribes, protect the pipleline and take control of the situation, help anyone injuried and make sure people have access to food and water and medical help and then gradually through a carrot and stick policy remove those heavy weapons.

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Brother Zakk,

To your question why shouldn’t FC stop tribes fightin’ each other, I’ve said it many times that these tribes are arch rival. If the rocket mis-fired by Bugti tribe didn’t fell over Gas Pipelines, we weren’t discussin’ this issue. Central Govt. never involved in Tribes except of buying/paying loyalties.

You were right about Zia’s role in tribes. He was able to control them but not all.

Here’s a view of Irfan Husain. This might be a Journalist, who I agree with it followed by Ahmed Rashid, Khaleed Omar, Kaleem Omar etc.

States within the state

**In response to the repeated acts of sabotage by Bugti tribesmen that have disrupted the supply of natural gas to Punjab, the government has - you guessed it - set up an ‘inter-ministerial committee’. **

One can understand the reluctance of the authorities to deal with the matter as a breakdown of law and order and apply the necessary force: the tribesmen are armed to the teeth and deploy short-range missiles and rocket-propelled grenades as a matter of course. In fact, these marauders are better equipped than provincial police and militias.

From the conflicting reports that have appeared in the press, it seems that the Bugtis are retaliating against the suspension of electricity supply to their stronghold, Dera Bugti. **According to one version, the Mazari tribesmen have removed over 60 kilometres of electric cables. For good measure they also halted water supplies to Sui. Reports from the area are confused and often conflicting: it is almost as though we were hearing of events from a distant war zone. There have been offers of ‘talks’ from government officials; the gas company has offered ‘negotiations’ over payments made to the Bugtis. It is as though foreign, sovereign forces were locked in combat and third-party mediation was being proposed. **

In all the editorial comment and criticism that has accompanied this fighting and destruction of national assets, nobody has asked the obvious question: why do we tolerate the presence of these armed groups that are controlled by tribal chiefs? Indeed, the entire tribal system is an anachronistic left-over from the days of the British raj and should be done away with. The British gave these tribal chiefs a stipend and a large degree of autonomy because they did not want to expend manpower in keeping the peace in the vast and lawless tracts of land in Balochistan and the North-West Frontier.

This anomalous situation was continued by successive governments. Bhutto tried to end the sardari system in the last phase of his tenure, but these reforms were undone by Zia. Since then, nobody has tried to tackle the problem. Indeed, no major politician or political party has even talked about it. The result is that these tribal chiefs have become more and more powerful, and feel they can challenge the state, as they are doing now in the Kashmore region.

Recently, in another context I had written that the state’s authority rests on a monopoly over the means of violence. **In Pakistan, over the years this monopoly has been gradually broken with all kinds of religious, ethnic and tribal groups possessing and using vast arsenals of sophisticated arms. Add to these the drug mafias and criminal gangs of every stripe, and you get a sure recipe for the kind of situation we are now faced with on the border between Punjab and Balochistan. **

No state in the world - unless it was Rwanda or Somalia - would tolerate the presence of such weapons in private hands. Even the United States with its liberal gun laws draws the line at rocket-propelled grenades and short-range missiles. **Using the autonomy granted by the British and extended by Pakistani authorities, tribes engage in all kinds of crimes ranging from smuggling everything from heroin to electrical goods to car theft to kidnapping. The profits from this criminal activity pay for the arms and fancy four-wheel drive vehicles they use to spread their depredations. More importantly, it is to their chiefs and not the government that they look for justice and protection. **

For their part, tribal chiefs get subsidies from the government but permit very little development in their areas, lest their uneducated followers start getting ideas. The tribal areas have the worst record in the country for health and education, and that is saying something in a country at the bottom of the international ranking in these fields. Girls are not permitted to go to school, and their mothers are not allowed to vote. The Constitution and the law of the land have no authority or sanctity here. Outsiders traverse these areas at their own risk.

Thus, to all intents and purposes these tribal territories constitute states within the state with their own code, their own legal system and their own security forces. Tribes owe their allegiance first to their chief, and have only a vague idea about their obligations to the federation of Pakistan. One would have thought that after more than five decades of independence, such an archaic system would have been done away with by any state with a claim to civilization. Instead, it has been strengthened by the huge amounts of money it generates through all kinds of illegal activity. Apart from arms, this cash also buys tribal notables votes to place them in assemblies where they ensure that the system is perpetuated.

The result of malign government neglect is that apart from the criminality the system encourages, millions of Pakistanis condemned to live in these benighted areas are denied the most basic education and health care. Their chieftains literally hold the power of life and death over them. Democracy has no meaning and the freedom of expression is unknown. True, there are degrees of repression: in some tribes there is more freedom than in others. But in much of Southern Balochistan, the power of the chief is absolute.

In the on-going tribal war between the Bugtis and Mazaris, the damage to industry in Punjab caused by the halt of gas transmission runs into the billions. **According to one estimate, losses so far are around 30 billion rupees. Add to this the loss suffered by the gas company and the figure mounts further. Then there is the discomfort to tens of thousands of families shivering in a very cold winter. There has been much talk recently about laying a multi-billion dollar gas pipeline between Iran and India across Balochistan and Sindh. However, if we can’t protect our own internal gas pipelines, who would invest in such an expensive project? **

This breakdown in the authority of the state underlines how far we have sunk over the years. When nobody in authority is even talking about cracking down on the warring elements, it shows that the government doubts that it can crush the tribesmen who are causing all this destruction and chaos. The truth is that currently only the army has the firepower needed to bring a halt to this state of anarchy.

**But even if the tribes are bought off by meeting their demands, the larger question will remain: how much longer are we prepared to tolerate the existence of these states within the state? **

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Here here!

Former and new Governor of Baluchistan pledges to resolve tribes difference.

Govt in contact with Bugti on gas issue: Jam pledges resolution through talks

QUETTA, Feb 1: The Balochistan Chief Minister, Mr Jam Yousuf, has said that the Sui gas royalty and other related issues would be resolved through negotiations and mutual consultation.

Talking to newsmen after the oath-taking ceremony of the new governor here on Saturday, the chief minister said: **“We are in touch with Nawab Akbar Bugti and positive steps would be taken towards this issue taking Nawab Akbar Bugti into confidence.” **

He said that **in future all gas companies would have to take the provincial government into confidence regarding exploration agreements so that the government was aware of the nature of their accords.

Mr Jam Yousuf said that he had also apprised the federal government about the problems of the area and expressed the hope that all issues relating to the Sui gas conflict would be resolved soon. **

He said that personnel of the law enforcement agencies had been deployed along the 45km-long gas pipeline right from Sui up to border with Punjab for its protection.

Replying to a question, the chief minister said that exploration activities in Barkhan, Dhahdar, Kachhi, coastal areas of district Lasbela and Dureji would begin soon.

He said the government would provide full protection to the foreign companies engaged in the oil and gas exploration in Balochistan.

Regarding appointment of new governor, the chief minister said that the change of governor was a part of democracy and revealed that President Musharraf had consulted him before appointing new governor.

**About expansion of cabinet, Mr Jam Yousuf said that more ministers would be inducted into the cabinet soon and this time women MPAs would also be given representation.

To a question, he said the next session of the Balochistan Assembly was likely to be convened in the third week of February. **

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Situation got tense again as road to Sui closed.

Dera Bugti tense as road to Sui closed
PM chairs meeting today to discuss crisis

DERA BUGTI: Situation at Dera Bugti once again got tense and the Kashmor Road leading to Sui gas fields was closed for usual traffic on Sunday. More contingents of Frontier Corps have been deployed while more than 2,000 tribals from Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab have reached Dera Bugti to help them against Mazaris.

A Ferozewani House spokesman while talking to newsmen warned the gas companies to immediately vacate their lands “as they are bound to quit under the agreement.” He said they are not receiving gas royalty and the language of might would never be accepted. “We will never withdraw from our right to demands.” He alleged that the government had resorted to state terrorism and the gas companies are fanning the fire. “Now there is no need of agreement and the decision would be made on the spot.” – NNI

Rauf Klasra adds from Islamabad: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali will chair a high-level meeting on Monday (today)on law and order situation in Balochistan with reference to the gas pipelines crisis.

This is the first meeting the prime minister would be presiding ever since the eruption of issue of tribal war in Balochistan that had led to suspension of Sui gas to the entire country last week.

Sources said only last year the government had paid Rs 300 million to the Bugtis after the interior ministry had moved a summary to the then chief executive, General Pervez Musharraf. Petroleum Ministry officials, who will brief the prime minister on the sensitive issue during the meeting, told this scribe that things did not end after the payment to the tribesmen. They said the Bugtis have been in the habit of snatching the expensive vehicles of the gas companies and bungalows of their officers. So far 150 cases of thefts, trespassing in official bungalows and godowns have taken place in the area since 1994. The prime minister is meeting the Balochistan governor, the chief minister, the home minister and other officers concerned to discuss the sensitive issue.

I’ll walk on water that day when Govt. able to disarmed tribes.

Govt sweeps to mop up POs around gas fields

  • Baloch leaders’ dues to be cleared

LAHORE: The federal government has decided to launch operations against proclaimed offenders in Dera Bugti, Goth Mazari, Khasmore, Rajanpur, Rojhan, Sui, Uch and tribal areas at the Balochistan-Punjab-Sindh junction.

Official sources told Daily Times on Sunday that the government has decided, in principle, to disarm the tribes in these areas – this despite ongoing negotiations between the Bugti clan and the special President’s Committee.

Infighting among the Bajrani, Bugti, Mari, Mazari and Mengal tribes is a looming threat to the gas installations in the region. Sources added that paramilitary forces would soon be deployed to ensure gas supply to the country is not hampered. Rangers will be deployed at Rojhan and the Frontier Constabulary at Khasmore.

The Interior Affairs and Gas and Petroleum secretaries met with officials from OGDC (Oil and Gas Development Company) and private sector oil companies on Saturday and agreed to clear all backlogged payments to different tribal leaders of Balochistan. According to sources, the tribal chiefs will be paid royalties, rent and in some cases other “payments in the form of illegal gratification”.

Nevertheless, the government is to take “strong measures” to ensure law and order is maintained and the gas and oil fields at Sui, invested in by some 20 foreign companies, are protected. Sources alleged that Nawab Akbar Bugti had a “major role” in the conflict. Mr Bugti is reportedly demanding annual royalties and rent (presently Rs 10,000 per acre) be bumped up and land leasing agreements revised.

**Mr Bugti, who was once married to the sister of rival tribal chief Sherbaz Mazari, has lost two sons in the recent spate of violence. Another son, Talal, was once married to Samina Awan, a member of the Mazari clan. When Samina died, her father, Chief Secretary IB Awan, accused Talal of murder. When Talal was killed Mr Bugti held the Mazaris responsible.

Presently, the Mazaris accuse the Bugtis of kidnapping clan members as well as government officials including three police officials from Rajanpur. They also accuse the Bugtis of attacking and damaging the gas pipelines. With all this bad blood between them, the Bugtis are not pleased with and indeed wary of the appointment of former Lt Gen Abdul Qadir, a Mazari, as governor of Balochistan.**

Speaking to Daily Times, the Dera Bugti station commander declined comment on the planned sweeps. He said assistance from the district administration had helped bring the law and order situation in the area under control. Tensions, he said, were heightened when the three policemen were kidnapped at Rajanpur.

Sweeps against criminal elements in the areas have been conducted before notably in 1981-1982 and 1976. A former brigadier who was part of the 1976 operation at Dera Bugti and other parts of Balochistan said the government must take steps to end tribal warfare.** “These chiefs are not only discouraging foreign investment but also ensuring that these areas and the people there do not progress,”** he said. Tribal sources in Dera Bugti confirmed that law enforcement agencies have sealed the Bugti belt and that the Jacobabad district police officer has finalised arrangements for the operation against proclaimed offenders to commence

Jamali calls meeting over royalties issue

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has convened a high-level meeting today to discuss the gas field royalties issue and devise means for initiating political dialogue with the tribes in the Sui area, sources told Daily Times on Sunday.

The meeting, to be chaired by Mr Jamali, will be attended by Balochistan’s new Governor former Lt Gen Abdul Qadir Baloch, Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf, Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat, Interior Secretary Tasneem Noorani, Petroleum and Natural Resources Secretary Abdullah Yousaf and other relevant senior officials.

The Balochistan governor arrived in the capital on Sunday while the chief minister was expected there shortly. “The Interior and Petroleum and Natural Resources ministries will give a comprehensive briefing to the prime minister on this issue,” sources said. About the agenda of the meeting, sources said it would include the issue of royalties to the Bugti tribe, whose lands are home to the gas fields. “Even the president has called for an entire record of the royalties paid to the Bugtis since gas was discovered in Sui,” sources added.

Asked about measures the government would take to restore law and order, an Interior ministry official told Daily Times: “We have already covered this issue. Now the demands from the Bugti tribe are altogether a matter for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and will be taken up in the meeting.”

Jamali fires on!

PM orders crackdown on Bugtis, Mazaris

** - Jamali chairs high-level meeting to discuss gas pipeline security;

  • Agreement with Bugtis will not be revised.**

ISLAMABAD: The Jamali government gave a go-ahead to the law-enforcement agencies for a grand operation against Bugti and Mazari tribes, involved in disruption of gas supply to the various parts of the country in order to establish the writ of the law in the troubled areas of Balochistan.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, presided over by the prime minister and attended by federal and provincial government authorities, in Islamabad on Monday, sources said. However, they added, the Balochistan government asked the Centre not to launch any operation in the troubled areas unless cleared by the provincial government.

The help of the ISI, whose officials also attended the meeting, could also be sought for the operation. The sources said Prime Minister Zafrullah Khan Jamali and President General Musharraf also discussed on Sunday the launching of the operation against those involved in the blowing up of gas pipelines and suspension of water and power supplies.

The sources said the government had decided to get tough on the tribesmen who were blackmailing it. It was noted that if the writ of the law was not established in the troubled areas, the tribes would continue to exploit gas companies and the government as they have been doing in the past.

The sources said the meeting was also against the revision of the agreement with the Bugtis that expired on December 31. The Bugtis, who have been asked to nominate their representative for talks to be held between the gas companies and the tribesmen, would not be given any big concession as was being widely expected.

Jamali for resolving issue as per accords: Army not to guard installations

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Zakk: *
The Mazari's have been very successful in Punjab politics in comparison to most Baluchi tribes. I am afraid I don't really see the separatist streak you are referring to RF; Nawab Bugti, never joined the Baluch Nationalist movement or the NAP; he also served as Governor of Baluchistan and as Minister of West pakistan in the 50's. He was disliked by Ayub Khan's government and others because he was an outspoken person. His party the JWP is also supporting the PML(Q) in Baluchistan.

[/QUOTE]

Zakk, please read up on Bugti history. In 1967-8 Bugti's were engaged in terrorist activities against government infustructure, there were countless skirmishes with the Pakistan Army. Nawab Akbar Bugti himself was sentenced to death under the Defence of Pakistan Rules in 1968 for his role in the violence.

As you know, I am all for autonomy and devolution of power however when "former" separatists talk about it, I am less likely to believe them. Baluchistan has not only been neglected by Pakistan but also their sardars as well. Islamabad's role begins with job creation, educational opportunities, basic medical facilities etc., once that has been accomplished, the strangulation of the Sardar on baluch society must be stripped.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by RajputFury: *

Zakk, please read up on Bugti history. In 1967-8 Bugti's were engaged in terrorist activities against government infustructure, there were countless skirmishes with the Pakistan Army. Nawab Akbar Bugti himself was sentenced to death under the Defence of Pakistan Rules in 1968 for his role in the violence.
[/QUOTE]
One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Imdad Ali: *
One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
[/QUOTE]

Right I'd never expect anything less from you. Don't dodge this one: Is he a terrorist or freedom fighter in your opinion? I think your truthful answer will illuminate your views for all the Pakistani guppies here.

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Once Bugti and Marazai used to allow marriage between the two tribes. Since, the wife of Bugti from Marazai tribe died or many people say it was a cold murder, they have become arch rivals.

75

Thats true, but then we have the Legharis and hoardes of Southern Punjab's tribes...

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Zakk: *

The Mazari's have been very successful in Punjab politics in comparison to most Baluchi tribes.
[/QUOTE]

76

do bluchis get their fair share of revenue from gas? i heard they still
use firewood to cook thier food despite they have natural gas in thier
state?

77

rvikz i dont think that concerns indians much...

78

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by zaavia: *
rvikz i dont think that concerns indians much...
[/QUOTE]

it will have impact on kashmiris. they also share water with pakistan
at their own expense.atleast we can say we dont take anything natural
resources from kashmiris.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by rvikz: *
do bluchis get their fair share of revenue from gas?
[/quote]

Yes, but not enough

[quote]
i heard they still use firewood to cook thier food despite they have natural gas in thier state?
[/QUOTE]

*That's not the case. * :)

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by RajputFury: *

Right I'd never expect anything less from you. Don't dodge this one: Is he a terrorist or freedom fighter in your opinion? I think your truthful answer will illuminate your views for all the Pakistani guppies here.
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Isn't that the same argument you use for Kashmir? The baluchis are doing what they think they need to do to win their rights.