THIS is with reference to Vice Admiral (r) Iqbal F. Quadir’s letter “The Bugti I met” (Sept 6). It was disturbing to read Mr Quadir’s analogy of Mr Bugti’s death with that of the Quaid and Nawabzada Liaqat Ali Khan. I am afraid his was an emotional letter based on just one meeting with Mr Bugti. He seems to have been carried away by the late governor’s charm.
So what if Mr Bugti considered buying a few colognes for his guards. We must not forget that he treated Balochistan as his personal domain throughout his life. He denied its people the right to even the most basic amenities enjoyed by the civilized world and used force to resist any development activity in his area while he and his family amassed great wealth and power. The only thing he did allow the Baloch was to have arms, and loads of them. Perhaps he was afraid that his people would stand up against his self-imposed rule if they were to become more prosperous.
As a result, Pakistan’s largest province and perhaps the richest in untapped natural resources is in a mess, with its people still living in the primitive age. I was also shocked to learn that August 14 was celebrated by his ‘subjects’ by hoisting black flags instead of the Pakistani flag. It is high time that the people of Balochistan enjoyed their due share of the riches of their beautiful province. This can only happen if President Musharraf is supported in his efforts to develop Balochistan on war footings.