Baloch Freedom Movement

PUBLIC NOTICE: All Muslim Punjabis must vacate Balochistan immediately

2006-09-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE

KALAT, Balochistan – The crisis in Balochistan is escalating into a full-fledge “Baloch War of Independence” in Pakistani-occupied Balochistan due to the oppressive policies of the Pakistani military dictatorship of General Pervez Musharraf. The Punjabi-dominated Pakistani armed forces have launched ethnic cleansing in Balochistan against the ethnic Baloch people; they are systematically kidnapping, imprisoning and murdering Baloch nationals by the thousands.

The Baloch are resenting this Punjabi invasion and oppression, and retaliating with full vengeance. While defending themselves, the Baloch view all Muslim Punjabis in Balochistan as collaborators of the Pakistani occupying forces (which is a fair assessment regarding the role played by the majority of Punjabis in Balochistan), and henceforth, they are considered the enemies of the Baloch people.

In defense of Balochistan in this “Baloch War of Independence”, GOB (Exile) has instructed all Baloch nationals to consider any employee of the Government of Pakistan in occupied Balochistan as an enemy soldier no matter what their ethnicity (including Baloch loyalists) and engage in battle with them unless they surrender and are taken as prisoner of war. Since, the majority of the Pakistani government employees in Balochistan are Punjabis most of them are not required to wear any government-issued uniform, which may cause confusion for the Baloch soldier to differentiate government employees (enemy soldiers) from non-government employed civilians.

To minimize collateral damage and avoid civilian casualties, GOB (Exile) has issued the following Proclamation for all ethnic Punjabi Muslims in Balochistan to immediately leave Balochistan for the sake of their own safety. Due to the escalating ethnic tension created between the oppressed Baloch people and the arrogant Punjabi-dominated Government of Pakistan, the likelihood of any innocent ethnic Punjabi getting killed or injured will be increased significantly as the “Baloch War of Independence” progresses.

PROCLAMATION

HEADQUARTERS
GOVERNMENT OF BALOCHISTAN (IN EXILE)
General Orders No. 002, KALAT, September 08, 2006

1. This General Order is for the purpose to eliminate the possibility of collateral damage in the “Baloch War of Independence” in Pakistani-occupied Balochistan.

2. All employees of the Government of Pakistan (including provincial government and semi-government organizations) who are working inside Pakistani-occupied Balochistan, whether they wear government-issued uniforms or not, are declared enemy soldiers, no matter what their ethnicity, religion, gender, and age. The Baloch soldiers will engage these enemy soldiers in battle until they surrender as prisoner of war. Thereafter, these prisoners of war will be treated in accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

3. Majority of the Pakistani government employees in Pakistani-occupied Balochistan are ethnic Punjabis. Whenever they wear civilian clothing, it may cause confusion for the Baloch soldier to differentiate between a government employee and a civilian. Whenever and wherever a Baloch soldier may encounter an ethnic Punjabi, it may result in a deadly skirmish.

4. The Baloch soldier will take every possible measure to avoid collateral damage. But, due to high tension in guerrilla warfare, errors in judgment may cause death of the opponent.

5. To avoid unnecessary and accidental death of non-government population, especially the ethnic Punjabis, the Government of Balochistan in Exile orders all Muslim Punjabis to vacate Balochistan immediately for the sake of their own safety. Those Punjabis who defy this Proclamation are accepting the risk of staying in a war zone, implying their role as collaborators of the occupying forces, and assuming the responsibility of getting killed as enemy combatant or taken as prisoner of war by the Baloch soldiers.

6. Muslim Punjabi children under the age of 12 are exempt from this Proclamation.

7. All non-Muslim Punjabis and members of Ahmadiyya Muslim community are welcome to stay in Balochistan as long as they are not employees of the Government of Pakistan. To differentiate themselves from the Muslim Punjabis, the non-Muslim Punjabis and Ahmadiyya Muslims must carry at all times on their person a Pakistani passport or National I.D. Card (both of which requires the holder to be identified on religious basis, similar to the yellow armband with Star of David required of the Jews to wear during the Nazi era in Germany) and must present it to a Baloch soldier on demand.

8. It is the purpose of the General Secretary to warn all ethnic Punjabis in Balochistan on humanitarian grounds to the dangers of being present in a war zone, and given the opportunity to vacate Balochistan in a timely fashion without incurring any loss of innocent lives.

9. All Muslim Punjabis who have decide to leave Balochistan within 90 days will not be harmed as long as they hoist the Flag of Balochistan on their homes, businesses, vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, etc. and wear an armband depicting the colors of the Flag of Balochistan. For gaining safe passage out of Balochistan, they must hoist the Flag of Balochistan on their means of transportation.

10. All patriotic Baloch will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of

MIR AZAAD KHAN BALOCH
General Secretary
The Government of Balochistan in Exile
http://governmentofbalochistan.blogspot.com/

Solution for a Free Balochistan : All Baloch convert to Hinduism

2006-09-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

Solution to Balochistan : All Baloch

Baluchis are a fierce tribe. They are never subdued in their entire
history except in the last 50 years where they were made slaves of
Punjabis in the name of Pakistan.

Right now, it is fair to say that they are slaves of Punjabis. Their
land is not theirs. They cannot speak in their language in assembly.
If they speak in Baluchi language in "Pakistani parliament" the mike
would be switched off and they will be forced to speak in Urdu.

When all the tribal leaders were opposed to the merger of Balochistan
into Pakistan, only Akbar Khan Bugti put faith in Pakistan and was a
prime mover in Balochistan' s integration with Pakistan.

And Pakistan has paid its thanks to Bugti in the language only
Punjabis can understand.

Now all the tribes and clans of Balochistan are opposed to Pakistan.
They want freedom from Pakistan. But how to get it?

There are two ways for it.

One is the old way.

In this way, the Baluchis need to become gurilla fighters and take on
the might of the Pakistan army. It may result in freedom from Pakistan
or it may die down when all the Baluchi fighters are killed. All those
great fighters would die with the dream of free Balochistan which may
never be fulfilled. There are many such struggles going on all over
the world which are producing nothing but deaths for the youth.
Generations of children are wasted and death by massive military
machines are destroying the future for the youngsters. Rebellion
would be ruthlessly crushed by the might of Pakistani military machine
that is been constantly fed by the money that is produced in
Balochistan. We might lose around 60000 youngsters before reaching any
agreement with Pakistani army. Yet, there is no guarantee that there
will be free Balochistan. To our sadness, we might even see that the
entire baluchi tribes are wiped off the face of earth by this rebellion.

But there is another way. That is the peaceful way, but will surely
result in free Balochistan.

This is not the way of Gandhi. If Gandhi would appear in Balochistan,
Pakistan army would not think twice before shooting Gandhi in a point
blank and move on. Pakistani army would not respect Gandhi like
British did. That is not the peaceful way I am suggesting.

The way I suggest may make you uncomfortable and not willing to take
the leap. But in my opinion, it is much more preferable than the death.

The peaceful way is to become Hindus.

The entire edifice of Pakistan is built on the concept of Islamic
nation. The four provinces are tied together in the name of pakistan
because of Islam.

If entire population of Balochistan declares themselves as Hindus,
what right pakistan has over Balochistan?

It is not one person converting to Hinduism. It has to be entire
Balochistan converting to Hinduism. If entire Balochistan become
Hindu, then immediately Pakistan loses the reason for Balochistan to
be part of Pakistan. If few Baluchis convert to Hinduism, they would
be arrested and tried in Blasphemy courts. So the tribal leaders
should decide beforehand and announce together that entire Balochistan
adopting Hinduism. Then Pakistani govt cannot arrest entire
Balochistan, can they? If all the people of Angaria,
Baloch, Barija, Bhutani, Bhutta, Bizenjo, Brahmani, Bugti, Buledi,
Burfat, Buzdar, Domki, Jadgal, Gabol, Gichki, Gola, Hasni, Hoti, Jam,
Jamali, Jamoot, Jamote, Jattak, Kalmati, Kalpar, Kansi, Khetran, Khosa,
Kolachi, Lari, Lashari, Lasi, Leghari, Magsi, Marri, Masuri, Mengal,
Nausherwani, Nothazai, Regi,Rahija Raisani, Rind, Sanjrani, Sasooli,
Shambhani, Talpur, Umrani, Wadhela, Zardari tribal leaders get
together and decide to convert to Hinduism, what can Punjabis do?

If we declare ourselves as Hindus, then Punjabis can do nothing about
it. We are not declaring a war on Pakistan militarily. But we are
declaring a war on Pakistan and its concept. Pakistan has no option
other than to leave Balochistan. Without lifting a single rifle, we
would attack pakistan in a way which destroy pakistan in a way
unimaginable. Since the entire concept of pakistan is built on
anti-Hindu and anti-India mentality, nothing would devastate Pakistan
like Balochistan converting to Hinduism. Punjabis would seeth in
anger, they would call us traiters and infidels. But, they can do
nothing about it. Punjabis can tolerate if Balochistan becomes
Christian or Buddist. If we become Christian, then Pakistan would
treat us like people of the book and continue to rule over us. But
they can never tolerate and accept if Balochistan becomes Hindu. That
is where it should hurt. The enemy is not punjabi. The enemy is the
concept of Pakistan. Once we destroy the concept of Pakistan, the
freedom is automatic. Once this is done, the whole edifice of Pakistan
would fall flat.

If entire population of Balochistan leave Islam and become Hindus,
then it would become a major world news. Then India and the world
would take notice. Then the oppression of Balochistan under Pakistani
punjabi rule would become a world issue.

If Pakistan needs to hold on to Balochistan, then it has to declare
itself as secular nation which it can never do.

Punjabis are asking for Kashmir because it has Muslim majority. If
that is the case, what right they will have if Balochistan become
Hindu? India has many regions that are muslim majority and some
regions that are Christian majority. That is why India is a secular
nation. But Pakistan prides itself as the Islamic nation. All the
regions have Muslim majority. If Balochistan becomes Hindu, then the
entire Pakistan collapses.

Let me make another thing clear. I dont suggest that all the Baluchis
should be Hindus for eternity. Hinduism does not have blasphemy laws.
Once the free Balochistan is achieved, then we can make this as a
secular nation where people can follow any religion including Islam.

Free Balochistan!

Nawab Akbar Bugti Killed by Pakistani Forces: WE AT BFM salute the brave Marytr

2006-08-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A prominent rebel leader in Pakistan's gas-rich Baluchistan province has been killed in fighting with government forces, the Pakistani government said early on Sunday.

"It is confirmed, Nawab Bugti has been killed in an operation," Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani told Reuters, referring to veteran Baluch nationalist and rebel leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

An Interior Ministry official said 21 members of the security forces and 37 rebels were killed in fighting in the Bambore district of the southwestern province.

Six officers were among the 21 security force personnel killed, said the official who declined to be identified.

Baluchistan is Pakistan's biggest but poorest province. It also contains Pakistan's main natural gas reserves.

Baluch nationalists have long complained that the province does not get a fair share of the profits from the gas.

Rebels have stepped up attacks on infrastructure, including gas pipelines, as well as security posts over the past year.

Security forces have responded to the rebel attacks with sweeps aimed at rooting out and defeating the militants.

Message to Indians : Help Liberate Balochstan and live with peace in South Asia

2006-07-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

By Sunaina Baloch ., Phd
Zurich

Balochis strongly condemn dastard killing of innocent people in Mumbai ,India in the train blast by terrorists . There is no doubt that these terrorists are instigated, inspired and supported by Pakistan without which they cannot act with such devastating effects. We mourn with the families of the near and dear and pledge to shine the light of justice on the face of perpetrators . We Balochis regret that our Indian brothers have fallen in the trap of false assurances delivered by Pakistan .

Government of Pakistan is just a name sake visage ,a rubber stamp , the real power is in the hands of ISI , ISI is a state within a state with full control of every aspect of governance in the country . Any assurances given by the Pakistani Government are just words written on sand , and the highest level of decision making eneity is ISI . The acts of terrorism are controlled and monitored by ISI, it is exceedingly difficult for Indian People and government to carry forward what may be called as normalization and peace process . We are certain that our Indian brothers and sisters have realized that engaging and hoping for Peace with Pakistan is like chasing chimera .

Pakistani Punjabis hates economic progress and prosperity of India ,they are using jihadis to affect India's economic progress , it is time for Indian brothers and sisters to join hands and build a national will against Jihadi terrorism sponsored by the state of Pakistan. By carrying out such attacks, Pakistani ISI want to create communal tension in India and to destroy the country's secular fabric .

We Balochis admire and bow to the spirit shown by Indians during this grave crisis and moving forward .Life can never be the same for those who have lost their near and dear ones , Indians must recognize Pakistani ISI is using every tool to spread their tentacles of terror across the country .

There are two options to Indians , either to continue suffer Pakistani Jihadi attacks or to teach a lesson once and for all by dismembering Pakistan by liberating Balochistan . We appeal to Indian brothers and sisters to support Baloch freedom struggle and liberate us from the Punjabi Pakistan , the sole war mongering evil of sub continent .

Please help us liberate from Pakistani Punjabis for peace and prosperity for our children and future generation and for whole sub continent.

CLICK THE IMAGE AND LIGHT A CANDLE FOR VICTIMS OF BLAST

Armed struggle is the only option of the oppressed

2006-07-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

I wish I were the BLA chief....I respect the BLA because it is fighting for a just cause"

Sardar Attaullah Mengal, former chief minister of Balochistan and former PONM president

Interview by Malik Siraj Akbar

Sardar Attaullah Mengal, Balochistan's first chief minister, is among the three sardars who General Pervez Musharraf believes are creating mischief in Balochistan and hindering its development. He has been running nationalist and separatist movements for several years.

In 1972, he became the first CM of Balochistan. However, then-Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto dismissed his government on February 13, 1973, leading to a bloody insurgency and fanning anti-Pakistan feelings in Balochistan. Sardar Mengal, widely known as a staunch Baloch nationalist, has also severed as the president of the Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement (PONM). Recently TFT sought his views on a number of contentious issues. Here are some excerpts.

The Friday Times: What factors have caused the turmoil in Balochistan?

Sardar Attaullah Mengal: There are scores of factors. The roots of the present mess are entrenched in the past. Since Balochistan's forceful accession to Pakistan in 1947, relations between the province and the centre have been overshadowed by mistrust and abhorrence. The Centre has always adopted a domineering and arrogant attitude towards this province and its people. But the more the rulers have suppressed the Baloch, the more they have resisted. Resistance has always been here; it is nothing new. In the past, there have been bloody resistance movements. Now, the people are fighting the oppressors once again.

But why armed resistance? Struggle for just rights can also be waged politically.

I agree. The Baloch have always believed in political struggle. But how can you continue to engage in political struggle when the rulers invade us with sophisticated US weapons? Not on a single occasion have we opted for a military settlement of disputes. But the Centre has constantly inflicted violence on the unarmed and poor Baloch. One cannot stop that merely by chanting slogans.

So you support the armed resistance?

In today's world armed struggle is the only option of the oppressed. Giving one's life for a cause is not easy. The Baloch have tried their utmost to develop friendly relations with the Punjab-dominated establishment but they have backed us against the wall. The offensive has come from the other side. The Baloch are only defending themselves.

What do you know about the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)?

Your guess is as good as mine. I also hear that an organization calling itself BLA is fighting for the Baloch rights.

A reputed magazine recently reported that you are leading the BLA.

(Laughs) I know nothing about the BLA. But if someone crowns me as the BLA chief then I am honoured. I wish I were the BLA chief. I respect the BLA because it is fighting for a just cause.

So you support them?

Of course, I do. Why should I oppose them? After all they are sacrificing their lives for a just cause and fighting in self-defence.

What are these rights?

I have told you that we did not join Pakistan willingly. We were forced to accede. Then we said that now that we are obliged to live with Pakistan, we should be treated with honour and dignity. In a federation, no one is a master or a slave. All federating units must be treated equally and with respect. Unfortunately, only one province, the Punjab, has dominated the entire federation. We have been insisting that our right of ownership to our resources should be accepted. We are the masters of our land. We, not Islamabad, should decide the fate of our province. We demand full provincial autonomy; nothing less will do.

What is your idea of provincial autonomy?
We want the federal government to deal with only three subjects: foreign affairs, defence and currency. All other matters must be in the hands of the provinces. We have been insisting that the provinces should be granted provincial autonomy as enshrined by the 1973 Constitution.

Then why do you also demand a new constitution?

The 1973 Constitution is no longer in its original form. It has been completely distorted. Our problem is not with the Constitution. We want complete provincial autonomy. If the current government is willing to amend the 1973 Constitution and grant us provincial autonomy, then we have no problems. The reason we insist on a new constitution is simply because that would make it easier to ensure provincial autonomy to the provinces. It will be more difficult to do so within the 1973 Constitution in its present form. Secondly, we do not have much hope in the current set-up; the Punjabi establishment will never back the idea of granting full autonomy to other provinces.

There is a general opinion that the sardars of Balochistan are the main obstacle to development. What do you say?

I am tired of hearing this. This is disinformation spread by the rulers to hide their own failures. I ask the rulers to name a single project that I opposed in my constituency or elsewhere in the province. On several occasions I have given my own lands to the government for the construction of schools and hospitals. But the officials are so inefficient that they have not been able to bring any teachers or doctors to these schools and hospitals.

Why do the Baloch nationalists oppose the Gwadar Port?

We have never opposed the idea of developing Gwadar or any other part of Balochistan. We apprised the Mushahid Hussain-led Parliamentary Sub-Committee about our reservations. Since Gwadar is a small coastal town, the influx of a large number of outsiders when the Port becomes operational will result in serious demographic changes. The total population of Balochistan is half of Karachi's population. The government is planning to set up another Karachi at Gwadar. We will be outnumbered. We have asked the government to debate the entire proposal with us. We want to know who is going to benefit from this mega project. If the project is meant to bring economic prosperity to others at our cost, we won't let that happen. The government should not give outsiders the right to vote in Gwadar. We welcome anyone who is interested in investing in Gwadar. But they should pay taxes to the government of Balochistan. Moreover, the revenue collection against imports and exports from Gwadar Port should go to Balochistan. The federal government mustn't interfere in the matters of the Port. It should be up to Balochistan to decide how much it wants to contribute to the divisible pool.

General Pervez Musharraf says it is just three sardars that are opposed to development .

There are 72 sardars sitting in Musharraf's lap. He should go and develop their areas. But the state of those sardars' areas is as deplorable as that of any other area in the province. If the General has the backing of 72 sardars then why does he require our support? He should go ahead and complete his development agenda.

Why are you so anti-Punjab and why do you always hold the Punjab responsible for the mess in Balochistan?

I know people perceive me as anti-Punjab. I am not against the ordinary Punjabi. However, I have a genuine compliant against the people of that province. The Punjabis from various segments of life never came forward to condemn their politicians who treated us shabbily. Those who kept us backward and usurped our resources are all Punjabis.

Last year, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti floated the idea of a single Baloch National Party. Why was the proposal so coldly received?

I backed the idea of a single Baloch national party. Initially, Nawab Khair Baksh Marri did not support the proposal. Later, he agreed to join negotiations on the single Baloch national party. Agha Shahid Bugti, general secretary of Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), was also in contact with me. I said let's hold a party convention in Quetta to decide the structure of the party and the future course of action. But we could not make headway due to the political change in the province.

Are you in contact with Nawab Bugti?

Yes. When I was in Karachi, he called me. I have also called him on a number of occasions. We have been in constant contact.

How do you view the Charter of Democracy?

What democracy? I don't accept this democracy. How can you call it democracy when there is 56 percent domination of the Punjab in the federation? There is no federal system in Pakistan. The Baloch will only support a democracy that grants them full provincial autonomy.

(The Friday Times, Lahore July 07-13, 2006 - Vol. XVIII, No. 20)

Balochis no longer want to be allied with the federation: Mengal

2006-07-08T14:23:00.000-07:00

ISLAMABAD: Former Chief Minister Balochistan and PONM Central leader Sardar Ataullah Mengal said that the situation in Balochistan has reached to no point of return and the people of Balochistan no longer want to be allied with the federation and the Balochi people will emerge victorious amongst this battle of might and enemy.

In an exclusive interview with Online and Weekly Pulse Sardar Ataullah Mengal, who has been dubbed as one of the Sardars responsible for the deteriorating situation in Balochistan, said the situation of Balochistan always deteriorates, in every decade or so, but the current crisis sound more profound. It seems as if both the adversaries have reached a point-of-no-return, with not even a tiny flick of ray of hope being visible.

"Thousands of Balochis are laying down their precious lives for the defense of their "homeland and culture", pitted against an incomprehensible and powerful adversary like government but I am sure that Balochi people will emerge victorious amongst this battle of might and enemy", he said.

He said the government his time it has created a sense of hatred among masses far beyond just the government itself; to (the very concept of) Pakistan itself! This would simply mean that Pakistan and Balochistan would never be able to co-exist.

He said that mostly every government that comes into power tries to impress the fact upon us that Balochis are merely a third rate nation, and that difference has been sustained.

The "agencies", have been given unlimited and free choice to abduct, murder or terrorize anybody at their free will, almost like an "imperial agency", not even answerable to courts of law or Allah himself. As a result thousands of persons in the Province have been abducted, murdered or terrorized with impunity. This is even worse than British Raj days, and a close comparison would reveal that those were still the days of freedom of expression, while today we have slipped back to days of serfdom, Sardar Mengal said.

"President General Pervez Musharraf and his "agencies" are responsible for pinning the final nail into the "coffin of Federation".

In response to a query he said that it is common practice to blame the Balochistan crisis on " Foreign hand".

"It is very easy to levy an allegation. Even I can allege that if Musharraf can be a foreign agent (toady), I reserve the right to be one as well! If foreign hands are involved than why didn’t Pakistan lodge strong protests against that country or elements? These are all but baseless allegations", Mengal retorted..

In response to a question Sardar Mengal said there are no more solutions left. Things have gone to a point-of-no-return. People have sensed the issue on their own instincts and extreme hatred has developed in their minds about the rulers. I have never witnessed such extreme hatred ever. I have also perceived that they do not wish to be allied to the Federation any more. Even the best available democratic government has failed to deliver justice for the Baloch masses. So unless the Baloch faith is restored they would never compromise. It is only a matter of time before a verdict is reached, regardless of its acceptance or rejection."

Talking about PONM and some "nationalist" parties demand of a new constitution Mengal said, " We feel that the new constitution could easily accommodate all the factors and demands desired by provinces and specifically the grievances of oppressed nationalities. Should any one try to amend even a single word, a 2/3rd majority, usually hard to find, would be required. But since Punjab enjoys a 58% representative, it would never want a new change. Hence we feel that a new constitution based on equality (under any circumstances) should be legislated."

He said Punjab can rule the roost per force as long as it wishes, but a time would definitely come when it would loose the federation of other provinces. Pakistan survived after losing Bengal, but should it loose one other province the entire Federation would crumble like a sand house.

He said PONM has decided that if the forthcoming General Elections of 2007 are ever held under the auspices of President General Pervez Musharraf it would not contest them. We demand that these General Elections should be held under the auspices of impartial judiciary, who have not taken any oath under the PCO (Provisional Constitutional Order). We simply do not trust President Pervez Musharraf, after the way he has maligned the mullah. Anything can be expected of him.

Talking about the Charter of Democracy he said For us, any "charter" is incomplete as long as it contains full provisions for the autonomy of smaller provinces "in accordance with their vision", restoring their confidence and trust. Both the parties are promoting " Punjab’s domination", the only difference today is that "that dominance" is being perpetuated with use of force. We would never struggle for removal of an unconstitutional regime, only to be replaced by a new exploitation system. We also don’t approve of any democracy, which would deny us our rights and rather tend to suffocate us, taking cover under the democratic regulations and norms for doing so.

Time to Demand demilitarization and self governance of Balochistan

2006-07-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

By Sunaina Baloch , Phd ,
Zurich

Musharraf in his latest statement on Kashmir proposed a FINAL RESOLUTION , he said "I have proposed demilitarization as a final resolution. Demilitarize Kashmir, give self-governance to the people of Kashmir with a joint management arrangement on top." . There are many interesting points that Baloch leadership should pick up from the statement , that can be used as talking points with Islamabad's Punjabi elite . We have to demand 2 things from Muahsrraf 1.De-Millitarise Baloch 2. Self Governance of our resources .

Mastermind of flopped Kargil war is licking wounds and now testing his instincts on Balochis . His arrogant statements on Baloch made him less of a leader and more of a street thug and Grand old man of Baloch Mr.Akbar Bugti is having fun by paying commando in his own coin . Bugti outsmarted all Pakistani Millitary maneuvers to eliminate him, using rugged mountains to his advantage and waging a skilled guerilla war against Punjabi forces . Musharraf is perplexed this time , don't know what has hit him and why this time baloch is different from 1970's , may be he is sulking in the corner with his friend Mushaid Hussain a Punjabi Jihadi .

He frequently describe terrorist attacks on women and children in Kashmir as a freedom struggle , a contrast where our Balochis attack only Frontier corps , and all other attacks on innocent civilians are orchistrated by ISI and blame Baloch . It is making every effort to make Baloch fight Baloch , rifts between tribes , but failed in their mission .

Is it not the right time for Baloch leadership to serve a memorandum and demand for a formal demilitarization and self governance of Balochistan ?

LONG LIVE BALOCHISTAN
LET's MEET IN REPUBLIC OF BALOCHISTAN

Baloch Freedom Fighters smashed Pakistani Army, 35 Pak commandos dead

2006-07-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to inform you that the armed aggression launched by Paki military men on 3rd of this month against Bugti Baloch was completely doomed by Bugti Baloch, and inflicted heavy losses in men and material upon Punjabi soldiers. The latest reports received from battle front indicate that Paki enemy was dreaming to kill Baloch veteran leader Nawab Akber Khan Bugti and destroy Baloch liberation movement once for all;. They were not aware that Baloch would fight till end and would never either surrender or get their leader killed by enemy forces.

JWP chief says his militia killed 30-35 commandos, shot down 2 helicopters

CLICK TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW OF NAWAB BUGTI

LAHORE: Tribal chief Nawab Akbar Bugti rejected the government’s claims of having killed 31 militants in a recent operation in Dera Bugti, saying that his private militia had instead inflicted severe damage on security forces.

PAKISTANI FORCES SUFFER HEAVY LOSE IN BALOCHISTAN.
CLICK TO LISTEN BBC NEWS

Tribal rebels in Pakistan's Balochistan province have denied claims that Pakistani troops killed 31 of their fighters in attacks this week.

Some rebels had been injured in the clashes and security forces had now withdrawn from the Dera Bugti area, spokesmen for the tribesmen said.

Conflicting accounts of battle in Pakistan

Military says it killed 31 insurgents; tribal leaders deny toll, say they shot down a helicopter
By Naseer Kakar
ASSOCIATED PRESS
QUETTA, Pakistan - Security forces killed 31 fighters in an offensive against renegade Baluch tribesmen in southwestern Pakistan, officials said Thursday.

An aide of a top Baluch tribal leader, however, denied it, and said his militia had shot down a military helicopter -- a claim rejected by the government.

It was not immediately possible to reconcile the conflicting accounts of Wednesday's fighting near Dera Bugti, a remote town about 210 miles southeast of Quetta, the capital of restive Baluchistan province.

Thousands of security forces have been deployed to battle the long-running insurgency in tribal regions of Pakistan's poorest province.

Tribesmen are demanding more royalties for natural gas extracted from their lands and oppose government moves to establish new military garrisons.

Abdur Raziq Bugti, the provincial government spokesman, said security forces on the ground, backed by helicopter gunships, targeted hideouts of militants accused of blowing up gas pipelines and attacking officials.

He said that intercepts of communications among the militants -- who are led by prominent Baluch chieftain Nawab Akbar Bugti -- indicated that 31 fighters had been killed.

Security forces also seized a cache of weapons, including rockets and land mines, but did not recover any bodies of dead militants, he said.

Wadera Alam Khan, a close aide of Akbar Bugti, denied any tribal fighters were killed.

"The helicopters bombed uninhabited mountainous areas that did not cause us any casualties. The government claims are based on lies," Khan said by phone from Dera Bugti.

"Our resistance fighters fired at and shot down a helicopter, and we are sure that all those flying in it have been killed," he said -- although he offered no evidence to back up the claim.

The provincial government spokesman, and a military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not have the authority to make media comments, said no helicopter had been shot down in the operation.

The government offensive this year has forced renegade chieftain Akbar Bugti from his redoubt in Dera Bugti and into hiding in arid mountains.

The violence has raised fears of a repeat of an uprising that rocked Baluchistan in the 1970s, when thousands died in a large-scale military operation against rebellious tribesmen.

Baloch Fighters should use MANPAD’s to counter Punjabi Airforce

2006-07-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

By ISOWBA ( Intelligence and Security Operations Wing of Balochistan Army)

Punjabi military thugs have used Helicopter gunships and Fighter Jets against Baloch people resulting in heavy casualty of civilians and also our fighters . This has raised a serious debate around the world about the extent the Punjabi Pakistanis can go to subjugate political ,economic and human rights of indigenous people . Pictures of children killed in helicopter gun fire and missiles fired from Figther Jets are so guresome that even a brave hearted Millitary soldiers will broke . International community have seen this savagery for which Musharraf and Pakistani Military should be tried in international court for this open genocide of Baloch . Not for one day , Indian army used Helicopter Gunships against Pakistani sponsored Kashmiri Jihadis during last 15 years , that shows the professionalism of Indian military .

In spite of all this our brave freedom fighters have brought down some Military Helicopters without using any sphisticated weapons , this mismatch of weaponry should not continue for long . We have to equip our forces with latest weapons in order to win this epic war , therefore we are constrained to use man-portable air defense systems also called MANPADS and against murderous Punjabi air force , they are very vulnerable to MANPAD attack . One has to make a note that ,due to the limited effective range of MANPADS, any attack would probably occur in the close vicinity of an airfield, possibly outside any protected perimeter.

Baloch Military organs have to recognize that using MANPADs(man-portable air defense systems) is legitimate against Punjabi Airforce ( NOT CIVILIAN AIRLINES ) given that we are in a state of war , remember the famous adage 'everything is fair in love and war'. In the past worldwide freedom fighters used MANPADs(man-portable air defense systems) against mighty forces to defend , Russians bowed backed because of Mujahiddeens used Stringers and in recent times LTTE and PKK used them . Here are few examples ,between 1994 and 1997, the LTTE sourced Russian-made SA7 MANPADs from the Cambodian black market and used these weapons to shoot down Sri Lankan Air Force planes and helicopters. In 1997, the LTTE, used a Stinger missile to shoot down a Sri Lankan Air Force Mi24 Hind attack helicopter. Similarly, the PKK shot down two Turkish Army helicopters in May 1997 using MANPADs of undetermined origin.

But such attacks have an even longer history. Two Rhodesian jets were downed by Russian MANPAD's -- SA-7s in the late 1970s and a Sudan airways jet was shot down in 1986 with a combined loss of 167 lives. Other countries which have experienced missile attacks on domestic airliners include Angola, the former Soviet republic of Georgia, Bosnia, Costa Rica, Mozambique, Mauritania, Somalia, and Armenia. Many of these missiles, such as the French Mistral, the US Stinger, and the Russian SA-7 Grail are widely available and highly sought after on the black market.

Man-portable air defense systems are a god sent gifts to freedom fighters all around the world ,there an estimated 500,000 MANPADs available today on the black market according to recent reports . The use of MANPADs will unavoidably become more attractive for us as fighting progress .and Punjabis increasing use of Airforce .

These weapons can be easily concealed and transported in a container as small as a suitcase, and can be lethal to a wide range of military and dual use aircraft.MANPAD systems and their launchers are available on the black market for as little as $15,000,some of the simpler systems available for as little as $1,000 on the open market .

MANPADS are commonly described as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles that are short-range surface-to-air missiles. They can be carried and fired by a single individual or fired by more than one person acting as a crew. Most MANPADS consist of:

1) a missile packaged in a tube;
2) a launching mechanism (commonly known as a "grip stock"); and
3) a battery. The tubes have an aiming device, which protect the missile until it has been fired, and are normally disposable.

The missiles themselves usually contain the homing device(s) that direct them towards their aerial target. MANPADS (tube with missile within), typically range from about 4 feet to 6 1/2 feet in length and are about 3 inches in diameter. Their weight, with launcher, ranges from about 28 pounds to just over 55 pounds. They are easy to transport and conceal. Some of the most commonly available MANPADS are about the size and weight of a full golf bag and can easily fit into the trunk of an automobile. There are three main types of MANPADS classified primarily by their guidance systems or "seekers:"

I) Infrared (IR) that home in on an aircraft's heat source, usually the engine's exhaust plume;

II ) Command Line-of-Sight (CLOS) whereby the MANPADS operator visually acquires the target aircraft using a magnified optical sight and then uses radio controls to guide the missile into the aircraft;

III ) Laser beam riders in which the missile flies along the laser beam and strikes the aircraft where the operator has aimed the laser.

The most commonly used MANPAD are of the first type because they require the least amount of training and experience to operate. The second and third types, while harder to operate, are very difficult to defend against with any countermeasures taken by Punjabis .

It’s time to use MANPAD’s against Punjabis , ‘EVERYTHING IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR’ . Remember the pictures of innocent kids killed whenever you think of Paki Punjabis .

Surrender of Bugti head lighted by Pakistani press is nothing more than white lies

2006-07-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

Quetta: In our surprises we read Pakistani press writing that supporters of Nawab Bugti surrender is nothing more then necked propaganda from Govt, they bring Bugti and other Dacoits from all over Pakistan for ransom and promises not to arrest them just to give some fake press conference so hastily arrange by Balochistan’s so called Dummy Minster of interior.

The named people in that fake press conference are unknown people they live in Sindh for past many years and were brought to Quetta by special PIA flight from interior Sindh.

Govt is outraged by their continues failures where as Baloch freedom fighters have upper hand in all major part of Balochistan.

Govt is so much terrified from the facts that Baloch fighters might storm and capture Dera Bugti and Sui cities by force, just to calm down their coward troops in fighting zone so that they do not desert their units every now and then they carve out such stories of surrenders, it should be noted that recently hundreds of Pakistani troops have been deserting their positions and running away from Balochistan.

We assure the world community and Baloch freedom fighters that all these news item and press conferences are fake and not true have nothing to do with Baloch freedom fighters.

Soon or later we will find the backs of Pakistani occupation forces and Balochistan will be liberated from repression and unjust.

Baloch from all over the Balochistan are joining the ranks of freedom fighters and they are getting stronger every coming day.

We are a guerilla movement and are ready for such fights this is a way of our life and we hit enemy positions and move from place to place Govt forces will never get to us but we will when ever we want to hit them.

He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day!!!!

Press release from Baloch freedom fighters

Powerful speech of Dr.Allah Nazar

2006-07-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

Dr Allah Nazar strongly rejects parliamenterian Politics in his Speech. whoever thinks that he can achieve Balochistan's rights within parliament, then he is misleading the Baloch Nation.

http://www.balochwarna.org/documentaries/Movie.wmv

BALOCH FREEDOM FIGHT : UNDERSTANDING PAKISTAN IS CRUCIAL FOR A KNOCK OUT BLOW

2006-07-01T21:40:00.000-07:00

BALOCH FREEDOM FIGHT : UNDERSTANDING PAKISTAN IS
CRUCIAL FOR A KNOCK OUT BLOW

By Sunaina Baloch .Phd
Zurich

SUMMARY

After six years since Rober Kaplan published his article ‘The Lawless Frontier’, a reality check proves that he is absolutely correct in his judgement about Pakistan that it is an artificial state on the verge of collapse . It is for Baloch nationalists to invigorate their spirt and fight punjabi looters and see to that our resources are secured for our future generation. Lesson learned from past freedom struggle is , freedom fight has two dimensions ,one diplomatic and another Millitary ,world citizens see and listen to it when they converge . In the past we lacked diplomatic muscle power , now we have , so let's use it to the hilt and beat the shit out of punjabis( Excuse me for this language) .

ANALYSIS

Pakistan today is at a historical cross-road, a self-created political and military mess could drift into a repeat of its 1971 misadventure of east Pakistan.Pakistan is now a state on the verge of collapse.

Problem of Balochistan started many decades ago, Baloch nationalists fought Punjabis for freedom in 1948, 1958-59, 1962-63 and 1973-77—all of which the army suppressed . In the 1970s, the Baloch nationalists were ousted from power by the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto government, upon which they launched an armed struggle to reclaim power. In the 1980s and 1990s, they were part of the democratic landscape under the governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. However, since the 1999 military takeover, they have been excluded from power in the province. The subsequent standoff between the government and Baloch nationalists has broken into warfare from time to time. What has sparked off the recent crisis is the contention of the Balochis that the province is being militarised, cantonments are being set up in the name of development, and that the real motive is to completely take over the natural resources of Balochistan, particularly in Kohlu and Dera Bugti.

In an interview Pakistans Human Rights leader Ms.Asma Jahangir said to a question whether the Indian government reaction is justifiable .She said "Human rights issues are universal. When our government takes up the issue like that of the massacre in Gujarat, not only our government but all governments of the world should make India accountable. Therefore, it's just right that when systematic human rights violations are taking place in Balochistan, the world community pays attention to it. India is part of the world community, part of the region as well. I hope that not only India
but other countries do pay attention. We expect India and Pakistan to take notice of what happened in Myanmar and Nepal. So what is happening in Balochistan is grave enough to take notice of." This is a clear signal from saner elements of Pakistan to India to take notice of events in Pakistan rather being mum .

WHAT IS PAKISTAN MADE UP OF:

To put in the words of Robert Kaplan , of Atlantic Online , "PAKISTAN covers the desert frontier of the Subcontinent. British civil administration extended
only to Lahore, in the fertile Punjab, near Pakistan's eastern border with India; its Mogul architecture, gardens, and rich bazaars give Lahore a closer resemblance to the Indian cities of New Delhi and Calcutta than to any other place in Pakistan. But the rest of Pakistan— the rugged Afghan-border regions of Baluchistan and the North-West Frontier Province, the alkaline wasteland of Sind, and the Hindu Kush and
Karakoram Mountains embracing Kashmir — has never been subdued by the British or anyone else." One Indian expert says "It is a small chunk of India latched on
to a huge and hostile border region. It is a total mismatch."

Dr.N S Rajaram a famous Mathematician and History expert said in 2000 in an article that "The State of Pakistan is being overwhelmed by forces of history and geography. A state with less than a tenth the resources of India, Pakistan is forced to fight
insurgencies on its frontiers perhaps ten times as great as in Kashmir. It is only a matter of time before the institutions of the state totally breakdown. And this is because of the fundamental irrationality of Pakistan, which is less a state than a turbulent frontier that a small Punjabi elite is attempting to hold together. This is the picture that emerges from a masterly study of the state of Pakistan written by Robert Kaplan, probably the world’s leading reporter on the region (‘The Lawless Frontier’, The Atlantic Monthly, September 2000)."

This has set the state of Pakistan on a course of irreversible dissolution. Here is the crux of the problem in Kaplan’s words: "Osama bin Laden, and the fighting in Kashmir obscure the core issue of South Asia: the institutional meltdown of Pakistan…" And this is due to the "accumulation of disorder and irrationality" that is yet to be understood. And the jihad in Kashmir is a consequence of this fear of a
crumbling state — in the hope of providing a unifying theme to unite forces of the frontier that are implacably hostile to the Punjabi ruling establishment.

“Punjab-centric” Priorities shattered Pakistan

Pakistan’s western frontiers commence from the Gwadur Bay on the Iran-Pakistan border on the Arabian Sea. The frontier runs initially northwards towards
Saindak, than briefly takes an eastern delineation, till short of Quetta. It then swings in a north-easterly direction towards Chitral and Gilgit (Northern Areas).

Beginning from the South, Baluchistan shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan; the NWFP shares borders with Afghanistan; and Gilgit shares borders with Afghanistan and China. Chitral and Gilgit provide the Southern base of the Wakhan Corridor.

Historically, neither Baluchistan nor NWFP opted for Pakistan, when it emerged as a eparate state in 1947. Use of military force by Pakistan in the former and
last minute political machinations by the British Governor in the latter, led to their emergence as the western peripheral regions of Pakistan. Gilgit and its
surrounding regions were annexed for Pakistan by the British officers of Gilgit Scouts, a frontier militia.

As a result of the above these three regions have remained in active turbulence since 1947. Today, Baluchistan freedom struggle is in a fifth stage of armed rebellion. In NWFP, the Waziristan Region in which are located the sanctuaries of the Al Qaeda and Taliban, is in a “semi-independent state” with Pakistan Army’s entry prevented by armed resistance. In the general area of Gilgit and its surroundings, the Balwaristan freedom movement is active. In NWFP there has been a running demand for an independent state of Greater Pakhtunistan.

These important geo-strategic regions of Pakistan’s western frontier have remained grossly under-developed. The major reason being the “Punjab-centric” priorities of successive Pakistani Governments, a condescending disdain for the fiercely independent tribes which inhabit these regions and Pakistan getting away with all this, because these regions had a strategic utility for United States military needs in the region; and hence a permissive American attitude to Pakistan’s high-handedness towards these regions.

OPTIONS FOR PUNJABIS

Further the same expert suggests Punjabis to rejoin India and give away the frontier province to be safe and secure . "The only way for Punjab to survive is to
let the frontier be frontier and rejoin India— its natural home. But is the Punjabi ruling elite capable of such vision? As one Pakistani (Punjabi) journalist
told Kaplan, "We have never defined ourselves in our own right — only in relation to India. That is our tragedy." This attitude represents a historic truth: Punjab is India or it is happy hunting ground for the frontier tribes. If the Punjabis do not cure themselves of their hatred, it may soon lead to an even greater tragedy— of Afghanistan consuming Pakistan itself. "

"Punjabis should see for themselves that Pakistan is a fantasy that died the day Bangladesh broke away. They should also recognize that the Punjabis never asked for Pakistan; the people who planted that poison seed remained in India. And the same people — of the Deoband School of Lucknow — planted also the poison seed that grew to be Taliban."

The choice for the Punjabis of Pakistan is clear. Forces of history and geography are against them. They can return to their natural home in India as the proud
citizens of a great power or continue their sordid existence as a client state that can be hired by a patron whenever a dirty job needs to be done. But even this is precarious and short-lived existence. For all its bombast, Pakistan — its Punjabi core at least — is today little more than a buffer state between India
and the violent frontier. Once they become part of India, they will have a great power to defend them against the hordes. One hopes they recognize the inexorability of the logic: it is India or oblivion, there is no middle ground.

SUMMARY

On the whole after six years, Rober Kaplan and Rajaram proved to be absolutely correct in their judgements about Pakistan . It is for Baloch nationalists to
invigorate their spirt and fight punjabi looters and see to that our resources are secured for our future generation. Lesson learned from past freedom struggle is freedom fight has two dimensions ,one diplomatic and another Millitary ,world citizens see and listen to it when they converge . In the past we lacked diplomatic muscle power , now we have , so let's use it to the hilt and beat the shit out of punjabis .

Iran: Further suppression in Sistan and Baluchistan Province

2006-06-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.ncr-iran.org/content/view/1825/69/

Saturday, 24 June 2006

NCRI - On June 23, in response to people’s uprisings in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan, the province’s Prosecutor General Mohammad-Ebrahim Nikounam threatened, “We have decided to make the elements of insecurity pay with their lives for creating insecurity.”

Nikounam hinted at further torture and executions, threatening,” We vow not to deviate from the divine will when it comes to a person who has done something wrong.”

On Thursday, in an interview with the government-run daily Resalat, he said that punishments (hangings) had been carried out in the case of six individuals charged with “Corruption on the Earth” in order to “bring security” to the province.

Unable to quell the increasing number of uprisings in Sistan and Baluchistan, Azerbaijan, Khuzestan, Kurdistan, and other parts of Iran, the mullahs have resorted to further suppression.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
June 24, 2006

Conference on Balochistan at Foreign Policy Centre , London

2006-06-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

DATE : 27th June
VENU : Committee Room 16, 1 Parliament Street, London SW1
SPEAKER : Senator Sanaullah Baloch
-------------------------------------------

Dear Senator Baloch,

I would like to invite you to be a keynote speaker at a conference the Foreign Policy Centre is organising on the province of Balochistan in Pakistan entitled “Balochistan at the Crossroads” in London on the 27th June. We are pleased to
be working in partnership with the Baluchistan Rights Movement.

The event will be held from 5.30pm to 8.00pm in Committee Room 16, 1 Parliament Street, London SW1. 1 Parliament Street is part of the Houses of Parliament, so you should allow enough time to pass through security and bring a copy of
this invitation with you on the day.

A map is available at
http://www.parliament.uk/
commons/lib/colmap.pdf

Having seen your commentaries on Balochistan, I am aware that you understand the strategic implications of the unrest in the area. The underlying objective of the event is to bring together political commentators, academics, politicians, journalists and others to explore the various challenges, and if possible, help draft a policy framework for western governments to engage Pakistan on this crucial issue.
As you might be aware, the Foreign Policy Centre has successfully arranged events on a wide gamut of issues pertaining to Asia. We strive to serve as a bridge for ideas about developments in Asia and the wider world. For details
of our various projects you may wish to visit our website at
http://www.fpc.org.uk

I look forward to a positive response from you, although I appreciate that this
is short notice.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Twigg
Director

Whole Balochistan converted into cantonments: Mengal

2006-06-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/
details.php?id=97980

BELA: Former chief minister Balochistan and chairman Balochistan National Party (Mengal Group) Sardar Akhtar Mengal has accused the government has converted the whole of Balochistan into cantonments.

He said that the masses of Balochistan required basic necessities, not cantonments. He also expressed his strong resentment over the fact that 1,00,000 acres of estate in Las Bela has been granted to PAF.

Talking to newsmen on Thursday, he said if government is "steadfast" over its decisions about the province than we would also "continue our struggle". He also accused "Maulanas of Balochistan" and the "MQM" of Sindh of assisting the establishment.

He said that "three true and selfless sardars of Balochistan are fighting for the rights of the province.

Replying to a question, he said that if the government is so keen on fragmentation of provinces it might as well as divide Punjab into 100 parts, but they should understand that Balochistan is not something " to be donated into charity".

He said that about 20,000 Punjabis are settled in Balochistan, and Gwadar Port Project would induct another wave of "outside settlers" into the Province.

Using some really derogatory language, he accused "some so-called sardars of Balochistan " who were conniving with the government and Chief Minister of the Province who had literally "donated his loyalties to Musharraf as dowry".

He vowed to foil the "nefarious attempts of the regime " to "occupy" the coastlines of Baluchistan.

Replying to another question, he lauded Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif as political leaders of their respective parties and should definitely make a comeback to Pakistan and face the charges leveled against them in "Masses’ accountability courts" since there was no guarantee about national courts, since they are influenced by general dictators.

He accused MQM’s Altaf Hussain of just using empty words, sans any "conducive actions". He also accused all the provincial governments as being mere puppets in the hands of Federal government.

About taking part in the forthcoming general elections he said that his party would decide after evaluating the situation, since there are hardly any chances of a transparent and fair elections, since Election commissioner is not partial and free to exercise his powers.

He vowed not to let "any expediency hinder the struggle for rights of masses" in the Province. MNA’s Sardar Rauf Mengal and MPA Akbar Mengal were also present on the occasion.

PAKISTAN: BALUCH TRIBAL PRINCE LOSES FAITH IN STATE

2006-06-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php
?cat=Security&loid=8.0.305389768&par=0

Quetta, 1 June (AKI) - (by Syed Saleem Shahzad) - Home to Pakistan's largest gas and oil reserves, the volatile south-western province of Baluchistan is the key for Pakistan to become an economic power in the region. The government plans to eliminate the tribal system in the province by December 2006 and bring it under a series of municipal authorities. However, a six-month long campaign by the military to rein in the province's tribal rebels, who are demanding greater political and economic rights, appears to have achieved only one thing - lose the support of the tribal groups that were pro-establishment.

One such tribal group that has now lost faith in Pakistan are the Raisanis. Unlike the warring Mari, Bugti and Mengal tribes, Raisanis have always been considered docile and pro-establishment. However, Islamabad's ambitions to pacify Baluchistan have turned Raisanis hostile as well.

Amongst all tribal chiefs in Baluchistan, the king of Qalat (who was considered the King of Baluchistan) and the Raisanis (second only to the Qalat family) were the only ones who were recognised under British colonial rule as "Chiefs" of the province.

"Our family has been holding important ministeries in Baluchistan and my father was the first civilian governor of Baluchistan, yet the [Pakistani] establishment is not ready to treat us as citizens and is rather forcing us to a complete surrender, said Baluchistan's Nawabzada or Prince Haji Mir Lashkari Khan Raisani in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI) at his home in Quetta.

"We refused and that is why we are now facing the music," he said.

Baluchistan, which border both Iran and Afghanistan, is Pakistan's largest but poorest province. It has been plagued by violent attacks carried out by tribal separatists demanding more political autonomy and a greater share of the area's resources, most of whose revenues go to the central government. The separatists have targeted gas plants, electricity lines and railway tracks.

In December last year, the violence escalated when rebel tribesmen fired rockets during a visit by Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf to a Baluch town. Musharraf has announced plans for major infrastructure projects in Baluchistan to win back support but the authorities have vowed to deal sternly with the militants.

The Pakistani government has said that it is working to eliminate the tribal system from Balochistan which it says is tyrannical and stifles the region's progress and development.

However Mir Lashkari does not agree.

"There is a misconception about the tribal system," he said. "From top to bottom we all are blood relatives in a tribe. My guards are my blood relatives. The tribes' region is the collective property of all in which every segment of a tribe gets an equal share. One person is selected as tribal chief and gets a bigger portion from the assets of a tribe only because he manages the affairs on behalf his men and needs the resources," Lashkari explained.

"This is an arrangement agreed by all men living here so who give the people sitting in Islamabad the right to disturb and intervene in this arrangement," the tribal chief maintained.

Lashkari insisted that if gas reserves are found underneath the soil owned by a tribe, the local people have exclusive rights on that.

And this is exactly the point of disagreement between Islamabad and Baluch tribes; Islamabad feels that all natural resources are the owned by the state.

It's the potential of these natural resources that has made Baluchistan so valuable for Pakistan which plans to make the province a nucleus and transit point for energy pipelines. There are some 42 multi-national companies interested or already engaged in oil and gas exploration in the province.

Regional players like India, Afghanistan and Iran are also interested because of its geographic proximity while plans by the government to construct a deep sea port at Gwadar and a road link with Afghanistan and central Asia, has put the province in the centre of a struggle between China, Russia and the United States to hold their ground in Central and Southwest Asia.

Baluchi tribes and the Pakistani government have long been engaged in this tussle and it's finally erupted into a bloody conflict, with all the top tribal chiefs on one side and the state on the other.

However with the help of state resources and influence, some smaller tribes are assisting the government to pacify Baluchistan by the end of 2006.

A similar battle is being fought in Mehrgarh. The archaeological site, which dates back to a civilisation in 7,000 BC and lies between the between the present-day cities of Quetta, Kalat and Sibi in Baluchistan, was destroyed in 2001. The tribal heirs of the area, the Raisanis, were displaced by the Pakistani forces after they refused to support the military establishment and a pro-government tribe was put in their place .

According to Lashkari, the problem began in 2001 when the military establishment forced the Raisainis to support General Pervez Musharraf in a national referendum which was held to recognize him as president of Pakistan.

"Instead we asserted ourselves and opposed the referendum," Lashkari maintained.

"The then [army] corps commander of Quetta Lt. General [now retired] Abdul Qadir Baluch summoned me and my elder brother Nawab Aslam and urged us to allow those unscruplous elements into our area otherwise, he threatened us, we would lose our status," Lashkari recalled.

"The meeting ended on a bitter note and we made it clear that we would not adhere to any of the military's dictates. As soon as we returned back to our area, a hostile campaign against us started in which we were charged in false cases. We bravely faced those cases and refused to surrender but then the state came out with full force," he said.

"That was November 2001 when our area Mehrgarh, which we have owned since 1762 [Mehr Gargh is situated 80 miles in south-east of the provincial capital Quetta] was surrounded by the Rind tribe which is headed by a federal minister Yar Mohammed Rind. They were fully armed and they entered our area under complete state patronage. They destroyed our houses and belongings," he said.

According to Lashkari, Mehrgarh, was discovered 30 years ago by a French team headed by archaeologist and director of the the Musee Guimet in Paris, Jean Francais Jirrage, who also has an office in the Mehrgarh site. There are a total of 8 sites, one of which dates back to 5000 BC while the rest were dated to 7000 BC.

"French archealogists have been working on those sites under our patronage for the last 30 years and they established some go-downs where they keep precious material and their equipment. That all was looted. The sites were destroyed," said Lashkari.

The French archaeologists have said that they have faced difficulties during the exploration work in the area and regretted that Mehrgarh site had been vandalized and the exploratory work had come to a standstill. The work has not yet been resumed fully.

"3000 of our tribesmen were forced out from their land and now they are all displaced. Some are in Afghanistan, some are in the Sindh province and some are in Quetta. We are also living as refugees in Quetta," he said.

"We tried to register a case against the invaders. A case was registered in which 50 rupees [less than one US dollar] was the penalty stated besides a few months in prison!" he said.

"When Musharraf visited France, the French President [Jacques Chirac in 2003] complained about the Mehrgarh incident in which a site was destroyed. The result was negative and when Musharraf came back to Pakistan, the noose was further tightened around us," Lashkari maintained.

"When Pakistan was dismembered in 1971 [when East Pakistan became the independent nation of Bangladesh] we were all crying in our houses in the love of our country but when we now see the high-handedness of the state we feel that perhaps we never did belong to this country," Lashkari concluded.

US must stop aid to Pak says expert Selig Harrison

2006-05-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.ibnlive.com/

Washington: Noted American expert on South Asian Affairs, Selig Harrison, has urged the Bush Administration to withhold US aid to Islamabad until Pakistan ceases military activity in Baluchistan.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the US Institute of Peace, Harrison, who is the director of the Asia Program at the Center for International Policy, said, "In my view, future US military and economic aid to Islamabad should be withheld until Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf stops his military repression of Baluchistan and enters into serious negotiations with Baluch leaders.”

Harrison added “Pakistan is likely to become increasingly ungovernable in the absence of a political settlement with the Baluch."

He warned that continued military confrontation in Baluchistan could well intensify the long-simmering ethnic unrest in neighbouring Sindh and involving a variety of anti-Musharraf groups around Pakistan.

But despite the serious international implications the Baluch issue has not found mainstream attention in Washington.

Harrison blamed the lukewarm response to the near isolation of the region, particularly by the military, which has led to a huge sense of ambiguity about Baluchistan.

Harrison said with conflicting reports and disputed claims of chemical weapons and rights abuses, it’s tough to know exactly what's going on.

“This time it is harder to pin down the facts. We know that Pakistan still gets Sui gas from Baluchistan to meet 22 per cent of its gas needs. We know that the central government has consistently refused to pay fair royalties for that gas to Baluchistan for its development."

"But just what is happening militarily right now in Pakistan and Baluchistan is really not clear, because the army itself doesn't even officially acknowledge that there is an operation in Baluchistan and hasn't admitted that and so its been able to keep most journalists out,” he said.

But Harrison is convinced it is a policy the US needs to change as a stable Pakistan was in Washington’s strategic interests, particularly with respect to its war on terror.

“This policy in my view should be reversed, not only to stop the carnage, but also because the US has a major strategic stake in a peaceful accommodation between Islamabad and Baluch leaders,” Harrison said.

Frederic Grare, an expert attached with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace further said the issue could become a cauldron of fresh tension with neighbour Afghanistan, which has been at a bitter war of words with Musharraf over the rebel issue.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan deteriorated sharply this year after Afghanistan said Taliban insurgents were able to operate from the safety of Pakistani soil.

Many Afghans blame Pakistan for supporting the Taliban and turning a blind eye to Taliban operating from Pakistan lawless border regions.

Pakistan, which is battling Taliban and al-Qaeda linked militants on its side of the border, denies helping the Taliban.

“A number of people refuse to see the reality of the problem and this is much more important than any foreign intervention per se. You know the risk...of mutual recrimination between Afghanistan on one side, Pakistan on the other, because of this Baluch issue may eventually degenerate and clearly it will be an additional incentive for the two countries to continue this war of words and again, we know where we are now, we don't know where we will be in some time to come, so this is definitely something I would not take lightly,” Grare said.

Many of the tribals in the area have taken up militancy and have been fighting for more autonomy and control over Baluchistan oil and gas resources for decades but they intensified their campaign over the past year.

In a taped message senator Sanaullah Baluch, a top leader of the Baluchistan National Party (BNP), said the message was clear that his people must have the ownership of their homeland.

“There is a clear demand from the Baluch intelligentsia, Baluch politicians, Baluch political workers that the international boundaries created between Baluchistan, that divide Baluchistan should be softened and the people of Baluchistan be allowed to govern their territory and their regions and their state declared as a non-nuclear region, a de-militarized region and the ownership of the resources of the region should be accepted for the people of Baluchistan,” he said.

The Pakistani military launched a major crackdown against militants in Baluchistan after a rocket attack on December 14 during a visit by President Pervez Musharraf to the town of Kohlu.

Baluch nationalists say almost 200 people have been killed. The government has not commented on casualties but analysts say the militants' figure could be exaggerated.

The crackdown has coincided with the announcement of plans to privatise two gas distribution firms in Baluchistan, which is home to Pakistan's main gas fields.

Pakistan's top rights group as well has slammed Musharraf’s regime over the “war-like situation” prevailing in the region.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) last month rejected government claims that it was not using regular armed forces in a crackdown in the southwestern province launched last month after rocket attacks by tribal militants.

The group said it had "received evidence that action by armed forces had led to deaths and injuries among civilians" and that "populations had also been subjected to indiscriminate bombing".

The HRCP team has also found widespread instances of 'disappearance', of torture inflicted on people held in custody, and on those fleeing from their houses.

Conference on Balochistan in London

2006-05-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

by Zrombesh with Senator Sanullah Baloch

Senator Sanaullah Baloch is the chief speaker of the conference on Balochistan at London University on Sunday 28, May 2006.

The conference shall address the situation of Balochistan in Pakistan and Iran which will encompass wide area of concerns to Baloch Nation such as human rights situation in Balochistan, rise of national struggle for democratic rights, approaches of states on Baluch cause in recent past in a political perspective, and international standing of Balochistan.

Balochistan National Movement proposed and facilitated this conference on Balochistan. Balochistan National Movement urges and request every Baloch activists, Baloch person and all interested people in the politics and situation in Balochistan to participate in the conference and take an active role for its success and ultimately for bringing up the Balochistan issues to the international community.

The language for the conference is primarily English. Balochi would be the supplementary and occasional language. Debate and discussion is part of conference.

The conference is commenced at 16.00 hrs till 18.50.

Venue: Conference Room 3E

ULU

Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY

Nearest Undergrounds:
Euston Square
on Circle Metropolitan Line

or
Goodge Street
on Northern Line

or Russell Square on Piccadilly Line

The Baloch Options in Pakistan

2006-02-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

By Dr Naseer Dashti

Ideal of liberation of one’s people and land is cherish able and worth fighting for.

The time comes in the life of any nation when there remain only two choices - submit or fight. For a majority of conscious Baloch that time has now come to Baloch people. A growing fear of cultural, economic and political domination has prompted an extensive discussion among Baloch nationalists in Pakistan for formulating a viable and feasible strategy for countering the ever-dominating maneuvers of the state. Baloch political elite and workers are also conscious of far-reaching repercussions of recent political and strategic changes in the world polity in general and the region in particular. The nationalist leadership and groups in Balochistan are increasingly under pressure from different quarters to forge a united front of patriotic forces on a common minimum program of national salvation. Majority of the Baloch intellectuals and writers believe in carrying out a resistance struggle on the basis of right of self-determination.

Balochistan was conquered by force and is being ruled by force. Whether in reserve or in actual employment, brutal force is ever present and this has been so since the incorporation of Balochistan in to Pakistan in 1948.

1 Massive military crack downs of atrocious proportion waged against Baloch people in 1948, 1958, 1973 and the present military operation in Marri, Bugti, Jhalawan and Southern Balochistan is the latest in this series.

2 Attempts to the eradication of Baloch culture by denying education in mother tongue and superimposition of north Indian language and culture on Baloch people and non-acknowledgement of a Baloch existence as a separate national entity within Pakistan. The Pakistani state has been adopting an approach of induced integration that is the creation of a novel Islamic nation from several ethnic nationalities as part of their nation-building efforts.

3 Gaining hold of the Baloch land by encouraging settlers from majority nationality to move to northern Balochistan, for example, in Quetta and Sibi in the past and the recent allotment and occupation of the thousands of acres of lands in the coastal belt and the planned settlement of 2.5 million people in Gwadar.

4 Subjugation tactics by the use of armed violence, state terror against Baloch, such as with the use of torture, selective killing of Baloch elite by fomenting intertribal and intra-tribal conflicts by various state agencies.

5 A ‘state of siege’ has been imposed on Balochistan through police, paramilitary and coast guard repressions.

6 Electing or selecting government functionaries have imposed an indirect or internal colonial rule by manipulating and under hand tactics of government agencies.

7 Encouraging fundamentalist religious elements allied with state establishment and funded and patronized by it to take over, in the long run the very fabric of a secular Baloch society.

In all the institutions of Pakistan, the Baloch are practically and statutorily excluded from the political, economical and cultural processes of the state. Political power, except for some marginally delegated powers to provinces, is explicitly the monopoly of the central government dominated by Punjabis. All of this is being rationalized on the basis of Ideology of Pakistan; the core of this ideology is the conquest and domination of the minority nationalities of Pakistan in the name of Islamic Brotherhood. Balochistan has been ruled in a manner of indirect colonial rule. In the name of elections, agents of state security agencies were “elected or projected” as the representatives of Baloch masses. The so-called incorporation in the provincial power structure of some "Baloch" leaders is a thorough corruption of colonial traditions and merely an extension of majority domination by proxy. Its purpose is creating a class of relatively privileged Balochs who would thus acquire a direct material interest in the preservation of the institutions of national domination at the expense of their own people. The fact that some of these collaborator tribal chiefs and leaders of so-called Baloch middle class could trace descent from those who sided with the Pakistani establishment from the very beginning is quite interesting.

The Baloch Options

The National Question of Baloch is an old sociological reality historically constituted. Baloch never accepted the partition of their homeland Balochistan, in the aftermath of the unjust decisions of the boundary commissions reached between British Empire, Persia and Afghanistan during 19th century and annexation of Kalat State by Pakistan in 1948. The Baloch demand for self-rule constitutes a democratic pursuit that is incompatible with the despotism and religious-based nationalism of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. In spite of the diversity of struggle in the 20th century, The Baloch Resistance Movements in Iran and Pakistan had all the same background - the will of national liberation.

In the prevailing circumstances, Baloch masses firmly believe that Baloch identity is more at peril than ever before. Baloch have suffered more than just national humiliation. Baloch people are deprived of their national wealth. Poverty and starvation has been their life experience. The so-called democratic institutions such as district governments, provincial assemblies and federal bodies are a gross insult to Baloch national inspiration and mockery of federalism in Pakistan. These have proved in practice to be blind alleys serving mainly as a delaying tactic to ensure the prolongation of the period of Punjabi domination over Baloch and other nationalities.

There is disillusionment among the majority of Baloch with the prospect of achieving national salvation by traditional peaceful processes. All lawful modes of expressing opposition to the domination and cultural and economical exploitation had been closed by the state, and Baloch are placed in a position in which they had either to accept a permanent state of inferiority, or to defy the state. Many politically active groups are in firm belief that under the highly sophisticated police state of Pakistan it is questionable whether a peaceful movement can succeed in a program of mass political organization beyond a certain point. For the majority of conscious people among Baloch the only option left for them is to answer the state violence with armed resistance.

Are the circumstances conducive?
Here the cardinal question is whether conditions are favorable for an all out struggle including armed resistance by Baloch masses? In the typical colonial-type situation armed resistance becomes feasible only if:

There is readiness to respond to the strategy of armed struggle with all the enormous sacrifices which this involves.
There is in existence a political leadership capable of gaining the organized allegiance of the people for armed struggle and which has both the experience and the ability to carry out the painstaking process of planning, preparation and overall conduct of the operations.
There exist favorable objective conditions in the international and regional polity.
From the time alien rule was imposed on Baloch people there has been - historically speaking - unbroken resistance by the Baloch masses. It has taken different forms at different times but it has never been abandoned. There were regular armed clashes, and battles. The superior material resources of the enemy, the divided and often fragmented nature of the resistance, the unchallenged ascendancy of imperialism as a world system, the historically understandable absence of political cohesion and leadership in the Baloch camp; these and other factors combined to end the past phases of Baloch resistance against foreign domination in defeat and confusion.

In the post cold war era a polarization of forces has occurred on international level. There are forces of religious fundamentalism supported by rouge and artificial countries like Pakistan and Iran, creating chaos and instability. There are forces which would like the world to be a safe place for all humanity acknowledging the birth right of different nations, nationalities and ethnic groups to be governed by the representatives of their own selection, in their own cultural and traditional ways. Although, on the face of it, major western powers such as Britain, Germany, France, the United States and Japan who have an enormous stake in the ongoing war against terrorism constitute a formidable support for the rogue Punjabi state. But there is the wide spread belief among the political observers on international affairs that the support of western alliance to states like Pakistan with a fundamentalist establishment and nuclear potentials is a temporary one and a major strike by western powers is on card against such rogue states.

Conditions are connected and interdependent. They are not created by subjective and ideological activity only. These conditions are brought about not only by developing political, economic and social conditions but also by the long hard grind of resistance movement. They depend on such factors as the response of the enemy, the strength and weaknesses of the enemy and the experience gained by the people themselves not in academic seminars but in actual political struggle. The new and apparently the final phase of struggle of Baloch people is taking place in the context of a new world political milieu, in which the fundamentalist and religious and rogue states are increasingly under pressure from world community to reform their social, economic and political systems. Baloch are part of the zone in which international pressure is highest on the countries where Baloch are being subjugated as a nationality.
.
The enemy is not invincible

The Baloch face a ferocious and formidable foe. There is the reinforced feeling of confidence among Pakistani ruling elite that their fortress is impregnable and unassailable considering the state’s immense military power and nuclear capability. For the moment apparently, the Baloch face what is by and large a united and confident enemy and all significant sections of the dominant nationality are in broad agreement on the question of defeating Baloch struggle for national emancipation. But if there is one lesson that the history of national liberation struggles has taught, it is that the material strength and resources of the enemy is by no means a decisive factor. The armed struggle is the political struggle by means which include the use of military force by an oppressed people. Armed resistance by a suppressed people almost by definition presents a situation in which there is a vast imbalance of material and military resources between the opposing sides. It is designed to cope with the situation in which the enemy is infinitely superior in relation to every conventional factor of warfare. Protracted guerilla warfare is par excellence the weapon of the materially weak against the materially strong. Given its popular character and given a population which increasingly sides with and shields the armed insurgents whilst at the same time opposing and exposing the enemy, the survival and growth of an armed resistance is assured by the skilful exercise of tactics. Superior forces can thus be harassed, weakened and, in the end, destroyed. The absence of an orthodox front, of fighting lines; the need to protect the widely scattered installations on which the state economy is dependent; these are among the factors which serve in the long run to compensate in favor of the armed resistance for the disparity in the starting strength of the adversaries.

The mobilization of a large force in the course of a protracted struggle will place a huge burden on the economy of the state. The most favorable factor concerning the confrontation of Baloch and state is that the enemy resources are all situated within the reach of Baloch resistance forces and theatre of war can easily be extended to the heartland of Punjab and there will remain no secure asset safe from sabotage, and armed action. Balochistan tremendous size will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the occupational forces to keep the whole of it under armed surveillance in strength and in depth.

The history of the liberation of people from the domination of another nation has always been through a terrific struggle involving much sacrifice and suffering on the part of the oppressed. Experiences of past Pakistani actions are sufficient to believe that an armed resistance movement would offer the state of Pakistan limitless opportunities for the indiscriminate slaughter of Baloch people. But many in Baloch circles are in the opinion that the Baloch land is already drenched with the blood of innocent Baloch. And the ideal of liberation of one’s people and land is cherish able and worth fighting for.

FREEDOM AUDIO BLOGGING

2006-01-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

People in Balochistan can follow below instruction and post the latest updates on BFM website http://freebaloch.blogspot.com by speaking over phone -- It take a call to US---- It is helpful for men who are fighting for freedom to spread their message
-------------------------------------------------------

Audio Blogging on "Baloch Freedom Movement"
HOW IT IS DONE : Follow instructione

Dial to US number --- 1 - 4 1 5 - 8 5 6 - 0 2 0 5

1. Call the number 1 - 4 1 5 - 8 5 6 - 0 2 0 5
(Listen very carefully to the Voice Prompts)
2. Enter your Primary Number-- 7 8 1 - 3 2 4 - 1 6 9 6
3. Enter your PIN -- 1 2 3 4
4. Record your post, Press #
5. Press 1 to post, 2 to review, 3 to re-record.

Third time rebellious in Baluchistan

2005-12-29T19:51:00.000-08:00

Third time rebellious in Baluchistan

29.12.2005

This week India surprised by expressing concern over the crackdown in Pakistan’s largest province. C. Raja Mohan explains what is at stake.

December 29, 2005

India’s expression of concern Tuesday over Pakistan’s military crack-down in Baluchistan brought a swift and entirely expected condemnation from the foreign office in Islamabad which rejected New Delhi’s “meddling” in its “internal affairs”.

New Delhi is unlikely to prolong this war of words. South Block, however, appears to have decided it can no longer turn a blind eye to the growing violence in Baluchistan — a region of vital strategic importance for India and the world.

While the spokespersons of the two foreign offices were exchanging sharp words on Tuesday, a massive strike had nearly paralysed Baluchistan, which occupies nearly half of Pakistan’s territory. Baluchistan has been steadily drifting towards the third popular rebellion since Partition.

Demanding greater control over their rich mineral resources, including hydrocarbons, and protesting against the construction of new Pakistan army garrisons in their province, the proud Baluch have been on the warpath in recent weeks. The rocket attacks during President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Baluchistan in mid-December have brought a harsh response from the Pakistan army.

From all available indications, Delhi’s decision to finally speak up on Baluchistan was a deliberate one. The essence of India’s message was simple: people living in glass houses should not be throwing stones. If Islamabad continues to hector India on human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and demands restraint on the part of Indian armed forces, India would no longer keep quiet. It would politely ask Pakistan to look in the mirror.

Defensiveness, India’s decided, is no longer a diplomatic option. So the spokesperson’s special emphasis on the Pakistan “heavy military action, including the use of helicopter gunships and jet fighters”.

The spokeswoman in Islamabad, Tasneem Aslam, said she was “intrigued” by the Indian provocation “at this time when the two countries are engaged in the peace process to address all issues including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute”.

But it is precisely the Pakistani attitude on J&K that might have set off the Indian comments. In recent weeks, Pakistan appears to have been carried away by its own rhetoric on J&K. Its leaders have been demanding “demilitarisation” and “self-governance”.

While quiet negotiations could have produced progress on Indian troop reduction in J&K in tandem with a reduction of Pakistan-supported violence in the state, Islamabad decided to press for demilitarisation of specific areas in J&K.

The increasingly self-righteous rhetoric from Pakistan on Kashmir was a bit too much to digest in New Delhi at a time when the Pakistan army is using force in the Northern Areas, North and South Waziristan in the North West Frontier Province, and in Baluchistan.

India’s new approach was first unveiled last October when it urged Pakistan to exercise restraint in dealing with sectarian violence in Gilgit, part of the original undivided state of J&K. This was the first time in decades that India was commenting on the situation in the Pakistan occupied areas of J&K. India had turned its back on the Northern Areas even while claiming them to be part of the Indian territory.

Pakistan certainly protested; but it does not officially consider J&K to be part of either India or Pakistan. Having declared those parts of Kashmir under its control as “Azad” or “free”, and claimed a right to support the militancy on the Indian side of Kashmir, it could not dismiss India’s comments as interference in its “internal” affairs. That would under-cut the foundation of all of Pakistan’s arguments on Kashmir. But Baluchistan is different. There is no dispute between the two on the nature of Pakistani sovereignty over it.

It is not often that India voices concern over the internal struggles for reform and political change in Pakistan. The last time India made any noise on the “internal affairs” of Pakistan was in 1983, when Indira Gandhi expressed, rather mildly, support to the then raging movement against martial law.

All democratic movements in our neighbourhood have looked to support from a republican India with claims to regional primacy and great power status. India has never found it easy to balance its espousal of the values of federalism, democracy and secularism in the neighbourhood and the imperatives of realpolitik in engaging the regimes in power.

In reviving its focus on Baluchistan, India was also partly compensating for its guilt in letting them down in the past. At precisely the moment that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto launched an extended military repression in the early 1970s, India looked the other way. Believing that it had won perpetual peace with Pakistan under the 1972 Shimla Agreement, India muted its voice. In raising it voice again Tuesday, India was signaling that it had not lost all empathy with the Baluch.

While Baluchistan has largely fallen off Indian consciousness in recent decades, it remains emblematic of the unfinished business of modern state-building in South Asia after the British left in 1947. From Baluchistan in the southwest to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in the northwest, from Kashmir to the North East Frontier Agency and undivided Assam in the east, the British Empire’s exercise of sovereignty and governance was minimalist in its approach.

India and Pakistan have had difficulty bringing them into the national mainstream. India has addressed the challenge within a democratic, federal framework with some success.

Pakistan, without a credible political structure, had to depend on manipulating old tribal and feudal hierarchies, use of force, or Islamic fundamentalism to counter aspirations for autonomy and development.

In what is now called Baluchistan, trouble started immediately after Partition when one of the principal rulers of the area, the Khan of Kalat, refused to join Pakistan. The forced integration of Kalat into Pakistan 1948 led to the first rebellion in the region for autonomy; since then sections of the Baluch have seen the Pakistan army as an occupation force.

After the failed uprising of the 1970s, the Baluch are at it again. The Pakistan army’s current marginalisation of traditional political parties and its encouragement to religious forces has shrunk the space for both moderates and modernists in Baluchistan. The main tribes also appear more united than in the 1970s.

The renewed Baluch quest for autonomy takes place amidst the region’s growing geopolitical importance. Whether Pakistan wants to bring natural gas to India from Iran or provide China access to the Arabian Sea at Gwadar port, the Baluch hold the key.

As a region bordering Afghanistan, Baluchistan has also become a haven for the remnants of the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. The Baluch spread into Iran adds to the significance of the region’s location.

From combating terrorism to promoting regional prosperity through integration, the fate of the Subcontinent and its environs depends upon satisfying the aspirations of people in outlying regions like Baluchistan, J&K and the North East.

The key lies in providing greater autonomy within the present territorial framework while altering the nature of the borders. As the unfinished business of nation-building engages both India and Pakistan, they need peace between themselves.

And that peace, in turn, depends upon Pakistan shedding its obsession with severing Kashmir from India and focusing on pragmatic steps that would at once facilitate political reconciliation with India and bring peace, prosperity and self-governance to its own troubled regions.

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=84842

BALOCHISTAN: SECOND WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

2005-12-29T19:48:00.001-08:00

by B.Raman, Camp Bangalore

Apparently in reprisal for what has been projected as firing of rockets by unidentified elements at a helicopter carrying Maj. Gen. Shujaat Zamir Dar, the Inspector-General of the Frontier Corps, and at a public meeting addressed by President Pervez Musharraf at Kohlu during his visit to Balochistan last week, the Pakistan Army has launched since December 18, 2005, a military-cum-para-military operation in the Kohlu area of Balochistan, which is the stronghold of the Marri tribe.

2.The reprisal attacks have involved the use of at least three Brigades-strength of the Army and the Frontier Corps and about eight helicopters .At a time when the Pakistan Army has been complaining to the UN and the international community about the shortage of helicopters for quake relief in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), it has diverted eight of its own helicopters, which were being used for quake relief in the POK, to Balochistan for being armed and used as helicopter gunships. In addition to the use of helicopters, there have been at least two air strikes on suspected strongholds of the Marri tribe.

3. While details of the casualties suffered by the Marris are not yet available, reports from reliable sources in Quetta say that at least 60 members of the Marri tribe have been killed.

4. The members of the Marri, Mengal and Bugti tribes have been in the forefront of the revived indepedence struggle, which has been going on in Balochistan for nearly two years now. The first War of Independence of the Balochs launched immediately after the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, was ruthlessly crushed by the late Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto, then in power, with the help of the Pakistan Army and the Air Force. The first War of Independence was fought largely by the Marri tribe led by Khair Bux Marri and the Mengal tribe led by Ataullah Khan Mengal. The Bugti tribe, led by Akbar Khan Bugti, did not join the first War of Independence.

5. Taking advantage of the lack of unity among the various tribes, the Pakistani Army and Air Force managed to crush the post-1971 uprising after killing hundreds of Baloch youth through air strikes. The survivors led by Khair Bux Marri and Ataullah Khan Mengal crossed over into Afghanistan and took shelter there. They returned to Pakistan after the overthrow of President Najibullah and the capture of power by the Afghan Mujahideen in April, 1992. The returnees gave up their uprising and returned to the national mainstream.

6.The civilian Governments headed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif made overtures to the Baloch nationalists and managed to persuade them to give up resort to violence, despite continuing differences between Islamabad and the Baloch nationalists over questions such as genuine political autonomy for Balochistan, larger allocation of central tax revenue and development funds for Balochistan and payment of inadequate royalty for the gas found in Balochistan and taken to Punjab to sustain its economy.

7. The return of the Army to power under the dictatorship of President-General Pervez Musharraf on October 12, 1999, led to a gradual deterioration of the situation in the province. Amongst the reasons for this were: the traditional grievances of the Balochs over the lack of political autonomy, inadequate royalty payment for gas and lack of economic development; the construction of the Gwadar port by the Army with Chinese assistance without the involvement of the Baloch people and their Government in Quetta in the decision-making relating to the port; the award of all major contracts relating to the construction of the port to companies based in Karachi and Lahore ; and the re-settlement of a large number of ex-servicemen from Punjab and other parts of Pakistan in the Gwadar and the surrounding areas on the Mekran coast in order to assure the security of the new port. The fact that Pakistan's nuclear-testing site was located at Chagai in Balochistan also aggravated the grievances due to fears of long-term environmental and health damage.

8. This led to an organisation calling itself the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launching a second War of Independence. For the last two years, the province has been in a state of increasing ferment due to the revived independence struggle. The BLA has been successfully indulging in tactics such as attacks on gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, posts of the Pakistan Army and the Frontier Corps etc.

9, In response to the growing instability in the province, Musharraf decided to create more cantonments in the province. This aggravated the feelings of anger of the Baloch nationalists, who saw this as the prelude to a determined military attempt to suppress them.

10. Whereas the first Baloch War of Independence was triggered off largely by political grievances, the second War of Independence has been triggered off by a mix of political, economic and social grievances. Since the construction of the Gwadar port with Chinese assistance has been one of the important causes of the current uprising, part of the Baloch anger is also turned against the Chinese, who are perceived as collaborating with the Pakistan Army in its attempts to subjugate the Balochs.

11. There were some incidents of violence such as explosions directed against the Chinese engineers and other personnel working in the Gwadar project. While there is reason to believe that these incidents were the work of the Uighur nationalists fighting for the independence of Xinjiang, the Pakistan Army projected them as due to the activities of the BLA. The Army allowed the Chinese intelligence to post its officers in Gwadar to ensure the security of its nationals. It also allowed the Chinese intelligence to open a monitoring station at Gwadar to collect technical intelligence about the movements and activities of the Uighur and Baloch naionalists. The TECHINT thus collected by the Chinese is shared with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).This has added to the anger of the nationalists against the Chinese, but they have not so far specifically targeted the Chinese.

12. The political situation in the province has been further complicated by the re-settlement of a large number of Taliban leaders and fighters and the leaders and members of Gulbuddin Heckmatyar's Hizbe Islami in the Pashtun majority areas of Balochistan and in Quetta by the ISI. The Taliban and the Hizbe Islami remnants operating from the Pashtun majority areas of Balochistan have been mainly active against the American and Afghan troops in Afghan territory. They do not pose any threat to the Pakistani Army.

13. For the last one year, the Pakistan Army has strengthened its military and para-military deployment in the province. In March last, it initially started a military operation in the Bugti area, where the gas production fields, which supply gas to the Punjab, are located. The operation ended in a stalemate resulting in what was described as a gentlemen's agreement between Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, the leader of the tribe, and the Army to maintain peace and vacate each other's trenches.

14. Fearing that the launching of a full-scale military operation in Balochistan might result in an East Pakistan-like situation in the province, a group of pro-Musharraf political leaders headed by Chaudhry Shujjaat Hussain of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Qaide Azam) set up a parliamentary committee to enter into a dialogue with Bugti and reach a political compromise. This did not lead to any satisfactory compromise. While those negotiating on behalf of this committee were prepared to recommend to Musharraf to increase the royalty payments for the gas and to pay compensation to the Bugti tribe for the damages suffered by it in the military operation; they were not prepared to concede the demands relating to the Gwadar port.

15. Unlike during the first War of Independence when the lack of tribal unity enabled the Army to prevail, this time it has been confronted by a united front put up by all the three tribes. But the Army feels each tribe has joined the front for its own reasons----the Bugti tribe because of its interest in getting more royalty for the gas and the Marri and the Mengal tribes because of their feelings for independence and their resentment over the Gwadar port. The leaders of the three tribes do not seem to have worked out so far a common programme of action and a consensus on what they desire for Balochistan---greater autonomy or total independence.

16. In the meanwhile, a group of Baloch youths, who believe that their objective should not be anything short of independence, has constituted the BLA and taken up the fight in its hands. The Pakistan Army has launched a campaign to eradicate these youth fighting for independence. It is calculating that if it does so, the tribal elders would be more amenable to reason and reach a political compromise and give up their demands relating to Gwadar.

17. If the Baloch elders and youth are not alert to the machinations of Musharraf and fall into the Army trap to prevail over them once again through a policy of divide and rule, they will be repeating their historic blunder of the 1970s. They should draw inspiration from the Bangladesh struggle for independence and unite not only among themselves, but also with the Sindhi nationalists, the Shias of Gilgit and Baltistan and the people of the POK, who had seen how the Pakistan Army treated them as an expendable commodity after the recent quake in order to achieve their common objectives. Their strength will be in their unity. Disunity will be fatal.

18. The second Baloch War of Independence poses a moral dilemma for India. The Balochs had stood by Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress Party during the independence struggle against the British. They had opposed the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. If India had to be partitioned, they would have preferred an independent Balochistan. The Balochs were the closest to Gandhi's heart.

19. Due to reasons of realpolitik, we let them down during their first War of Independence. The same realpolitik would dictate painful inaction by us now too. But that does not mean we should hesitate to draw the attention of the international community to the ruthless massacre of the Baloch nationalists by the Pakistan army. We owe our moral support to them. The struggle for an independent Balochistan is part of the unfinished agenda of the Partition.

(The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, and, presently, Director, Institute for Topical Studies, Chennai. E-mail: itschen36@gmail.com)

MUSHARRAF INTENSIFIES AIR STRIKES ON BALOCHS: NAPALM USED?

2005-12-29T19:48:00.000-08:00

by B.Raman

Foiled in his attempts so far to drive a wedge between the Marri and the Bugti tribes of Balochistan, Pakistan's military dictator President General Pervez Musharraf has ordered not only an intensification of the air strikes against the members of the revolting Marri tribe in the Kohlu and adjoining areas of Balochistan, but also an extension of the ground and air mounted operations against the members of the Bugti tribe in the Dera Bugti and adjoining areas.

2. Apart from rushing army and para-military reinforcements to the Marri and Bugti areas, he has also shifted four more helicopters, hitherto deployed on quake relief work in the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), to Balochistan for use against the Marris and the Bugtis. Now, 12 helicopters are being used as gunships to quell the spreading second war of Baloch independence, spearheaded by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Of these, eight are being used against the Marris and four against the Bugtis. In addition to the use of helicopters, there have been three more air strikes against Marri youth. Representatives of the Balochs have alleged that the helicopters have also been using napalm against Baloch youth.

3. As a result of these intensified operations, the casualties have been mounting. At least 160 Balochs have been killed since December 18, 2005---- 120 Marris and 40 Bugtis. A large number of injured Balochs has been prevented by the security forces from seeking medical assistance. The security forces have shut off electricity and water supply to many Marri and Bugti areas and blamed the BLA for having done so by firing rockets at electricity transmission towers and water supply lines.

4. Musharraf and senior Army officers as well as leaders of the Musharraf-created Pakistan Muslim League (Qaide Azam), which is the only political formation supporting the military action, have denied undertaking any military operations against the Balochs. Instead, they have been projecting it as a law enforcement operation undertaken by the para-military forces against "fararis" (criminal absconders) who, according to Musharraf, have been trying to obstruct the economic development of Balochistan.

5. At the same time, they have also been projecting the operations as directed against the clandestine training camps of the BLA located in Marri territory in the Kohlu area. The army has claimed to have destroyed at least six so-called training camps and says seven more are still functioning.

6. It is learnt that the decision to extend the operations to the Bugti area was taken by Musharraf following an ambush of a convoy of the Frontier Corps in which over 15 para-military personnel were killed. There have been at least two ambushes of security forces convoys in the Marri area too, resulting in the death of about 20 members of the security forces. The Army has imposed an iron curtain in the areas where the war of independence is raging and has not been allowing details of the fighting to be disseminated by the media.

7. Even while projecting the operations as law enforcement action against absconding criminals, the military spokesmen have not denied that the action was provoked by a recent incident in which rockets were fired at a meeting addressed by Musharraf in the Kohlu area. The BLA has denied firing any rockets on Musharraf's public meeting and has accused the Musharraf regime of stage-managing the incident in order to use it as a pretext for ordering air strikes against the Balochs fighting for their independence.

8. Replying to statements made by military spokesmen and some members of the Government that no Government can sit quiet when the head of state is sought to be assassinated by criminal elements, Baloch and other political leaders belonging to the minority communities such as Mr. Afsandyar Wali Khan, the Pashtun leader of the Awami National Party of the North-West Frontier Province, have pointed out that even if the Government's contention was correct, it did not call for air strikes on the Balochs. They have referred to the two attempts to kill Musharraf in December, 2003, and the subsequent attempts to kill Mr. Shaukat Aziz, the present Prime Minister, and the Corps Commander of Karachi in which Punjabis were involved and asked whether Musharraf ordered air strikes against the Punjabis after those incidents.

9. In response to the military operations, the BLA has confined its tactics to guerilla actions directed against train and other means of transport, gas production and pipeline facilities and ambushes of military and para-military convoys. It has avoided a frontal confrontation with the security forces, in which it will be the loser. It has been trying to extend its guerilla operations to Punjab. It has also sought networking with the revolting Shias of Gilgit and Baltistan and the Sindhis, who have been angered by the attempts of Musharraf to force through the implementation of a project for the construction of the much controversial Kalabagh dam. The dam is meant for the benefit of the Pubjabi farmers. The Sindhis are strongly opposing it on the ground that it would reduce the water available for Sindhi farmers.

10. The Baloch nationalist elements have appealed to the international community and the United Nations to take cognisance of the ant-Baloch military operations and force the Army to stop them. They have also appealed to international human rights organisations to send their observers to Balochistan and to have the issue raised before the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva during its forthcoming meeting in February.

11. The Baloch nationalists have assured the international community that an independent Balochistan would put an end to the activities of Al Qaeda and the Taliban from its territory and co-operate with it in the war against international jihadi terrorism. It has also assured the international community that an independent Balochistan would not become another Bangladesh---- a hotbed of Wahabi/Salafi fundamentalism.

12. Pro-Independence Uighur elements based in the West and in Pakistani Punjab have made overtures to the BLA and offered to co-operate with it in a joint freedom-struggle against the Punjabis in Balochistan and the Han Chinese in the Xinjiang region of China. The BLA has not so far accepted this offer since it does not want to be seen as anti-Chinese despite its opposition to the Gwadar project being constructed by the Chinese in Balochistan.

13. Despite this, there is considerable nervousness among Chinese engineers and other experts working in Balochistan. Measures for their physical security have been strengthened by the Pakistani authorities, who had also kept the Chinese informed of their decision to launch air strikes on the Balochs.

(The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, and, presently, Director, Institute for Topical Studies, Chennai. E-mail: itschen36@gmail.com)

Army operation in Marri and Bugti area of Balochistan 86 killed 100’s wounded

2005-12-29T19:46:00.000-08:00

Army operation in Marri and Bugti area of Balochistan 86 killed 100’s wounded

http://baltimore.indymedia.org/
newswire/display/11692/index.php

On 17th December 2005 Pakistani Army launched an army operation against innocent Marri Baloch people throughout Kohlu District, Parts of Dera Bugti, Noshki, Makran Districts and other parts of Balochistan.

More then thirty thousand army personnel twelve Gunship helicopters, four fighter jets, several spy planes of different sizes, heavy artillery and missiles are being used only in Talli, Bambore, Kahan, Jabbar, Nasau, Quat, Mundai and other parts of Marri Area.

Due to ten days of intensive bombing and shelling by army Jets, Gunship Helicopters and heavy artillery at least 86 confirm deaths and more then 120 serious wounded have been reported. Mostly victims are women and young children.

It is time for the Baloch people to unite and stand up against such atrocities by Punjabi Pakistan. Let me remind the international community that it is not the first time that such severe measures have been taken against the Baloch Nation.

Until and unless the Baloch don’t unite and get the help of the international community to put a leash on Pakistani (Punjabi Army) this slaughter of Baloch people will continue.

Pictures of Marri women and children killed in bombing and shelling by Pakistani Army. This shameless Pakistani Army still denies that there is no Army Operation going on in Balochistan.

Take a look at the pictures below they speak for themselves, mutilated bodies of innocent young children who were deprived of all the facilities of modern world and now deprived of their own life, all this destitution to the Baloch is by the tyrant and shameless Punjabi Pakistani Army. By Balochvoice.com 28.12.05

Akhtar Nadeem & Ali Nawaz released.

2005-11-03T17:14:00.000-08:00

Tue, 1 Nov 2005 17:50:49

Dear friends: We have received the news from a reliable source
that Akhtar Nadeem and Ali Nawaz Baloch kidnapped
along with Dr. Imdad Baloch and Dr. Allah Nazar have been
released at 10 pm Pakistan time today under pressure from
world wide campaign organised by Baloch Diaspora, Amnesty
International and Human Rights Organizations. The two are
among those arrested in Karachi and their whereabouts were
unknown. Dr. Imdad went on hunger strike unto death for them.
Thanks.
Ameeri

BSO-NA congratulate and salute our these young Heroes and leaders of Baloch Nation
for their sacrifices for Baloch cause and Balochistan. We are proud of you all. Indeed
your sacrifices will not go in vain and we will continue our peaceful struggle for the
release of all other Baloch political illegal detainees, including Dr. Yousuf Baloch,
Majeed Samad Baloch, Fazal baloch, Ali Asgher Bangulzai, Jan Mohd Marri, Saleh
Baloch, Gohram Baloch and many others.

Invitation for the International Human Rights Conference at Lahore Pakistan

2005-10-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Sindh Development Society [SDS] is a non governmental,
not for profit and voluntary organization, which is
established in 1991 and registered in 1994 under the
societies act: 1860.

Sindh Development Society is known as the
organization of human rights and advocacy in Sindh
province. The organization working on the project
NGOnet for women and children right in Pakistan with
the collaboration of Greece bases NGO named as KESSA
DIMITRA, Centre of strategic planning and Development

- To organize a International human rights conference
and fair is also one of the main activity of this
project.
This international conference and NGO fair is going
to be held on the 17-18th of november-2004 at Lahore.

The Main Objectives of the conference are:
- Stimulate a dialogue between local NGOs,
International NGOs, Local Authorities and the
Government;
- Provide and Opportunity for the local NGOs to
present their significant work to both the wide public
and the mass media;
- Present “Success Stories” from the field of human
rights, from both Pakistan but also other countries to
be imitated;
- Allow Local, European and international donors to
present opportunities for the funding of women and
children’s human rights projects in Pakistan
- Present awards to people who have excelled in the
field so to inspire others to follow in their steps

The invitation is attached with email, kindly read it
we are hoping for your participation.

If you have any questions kindly feel free to ask;

Sincerely

Ashfaque Qureshi
Project Manager
NGOnet Sindh
Sindh Development Society
B-48, Beside Shams High School Bhittai Nagar
Qasimabad Hyderabad Sindh
Pakistan
Phone No: +92-22-2616784
Mobile No: +92-300-3143211

Baloch National Movement of Liberation

2005-10-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Baloch National Movement of Liberation

Waele Khan Bugti

It is a battle which began nearly half a century ago, the very moment when the Punjabies were brought in the Balochistan State. The labour emancipation of the Punjabies was the beginning of an attack of delirium (at the time of British rule they were brought for work over railway tracks). For thereby they were given full citizen rights and superiority to a people which was much more clearly and definitely a race apart than all others, that has always formed and will form a State within the State. That did not happen perhaps at one blow, but it came about as things come about today and always do come about: first a little finger, then a second and a third, and so bit by bit until at last a people that in the eighteenth century still appeared completely alien had won superior citizen rights with ourselves.

And it was precisely the same in the economic sphere. The vast process of the nationalisation of industries and minerals, more's the pity, were not properly dealt with by those whose moral duty it was to concern themselves for welfare of the people. Parallel with this was an outburst 'moneyfication' of the whole of the nation's economic-strength.was in the ascendant, and thus at once the Federation came to control the whole national economy.

The directors of these institutions were, and are without exception, Punjabies. I say 'without exception,' for the few non-Punjabies who had a share in them are in the last resort nothing but screens, shop-window Balochs, whom one needs in order, for the sake of the masses, to keep up the appearance that these institutions were after all founded as a natural outcome of the needs and the economic life of all peoples alike, and were not, as was the fact, institutions which correspond only with the essential characteristics of the Punjabi people and are the outcome of those characteristics.

Punjabies found their control over country in the name of democracy (they became obvious majority after sepration of Bangladesh).Through the press propaganda, through the use of the organs of information, it was possible in Punjab to found the great model parties. Already in those early days they saw to it shrewdly that here were always two or three groups apparently hostile to each other, but in fact all hanging on a gold thread, the whole designed to take account of a human characteristic - that the longer a man possesses an object, the more readily he grows tired of it. He craves something new: therefore one needs two parties. The one is in office, the other in opposition. When the one has played itself out, then the opposition party comes into power, and the party which has had its day is now in its turn the opposition. After Five years the new party itself has once more played itself out and the game begins afresh. In truth this is a highly ingenious mill in which the interests of a nation are ground very small. As everyone knows, this system is given some such name as 'Self-Government of a People.'

In consequence of this widespread aversion it was more difficult for the People to spread infection in the political sphere, and especially so since traditionally loyalty was centered in a person: the form of the State became a monarchy, and power did not lie with the people which resulted in unrest . Thus the Punjabi saw that here it was possible for an enlightened despotism to arise based upon the army, and the bureaucracy, once again.

The energy sources of industrielist economy at that time till date are almost exclusively in Baloch Land, big business and the new industries are based upon the natural gas, while the last reservoir of a people's strength strength in Balochistan, the democratic tribal norms, were changed into monarchy. In such conditions , as the industry grows, the resistence of people may get ropable and thus they could easily eliminate it by monarchic forces , but to their misfortune all these forces converted to be "more Baloch " then an " ordinary Baloch".Then there arises the danger that this diverted monarchic estate might ally itself with with the people would be ready and willing to give a mortal blow to those powers of Punjabil supra-State finance. This was not impossible: in the history of Balochs had from time to time found themselves forced, to turn against the invasion and seek popular support.

But this possibility constituted a grave danger for Punjabism. If the great masses of the new opressed youngmen had come into Nationalist hands and had penetrated the whole Baloch nation, The liberation of Balochs owes its glories only to sons of soil. It is entirely alien to the Punjab.The Punjabi people in itself stands against us as our deadly foe and so will stand against us always and for all time.

The master-stroke of the Punjabies was to claim the leadership of the estate: he founded the Movement of the democracy and support of armed & civil beurocracy on paralal.His policy was multifolded: he had his 'apostles' in both camps.At first : In the armed camps he encouraged those features which were most repugnant to the people - the passion for money, unscrupulous methods in trade which were employed so ruthlessly as to give rise to the proverb 'Business, too, marches over corpses.' And the armed forces attacked the people of Balochistan.The result was that in a short time it was precisely the ruling class which became in its character completely estranged from its own people. And this fact gave the Punjabi his opportunity with the polatical parties. Here he played the part of the common demagogue.blesseing in disguise it enabled us to drive away in disgust the whole leadership of the pro-punjabies.So the true Baloch leadership is prepared to make sacrifices, it will do anything for the life of the people, but it cannot believe in the mad view of denial of that national life,or a refusal to defend the rights of one's own people.They support the upraised national resistance to the foreigner,through which it is possible to raise up a people and make it happy.

And the Punjabi`s second instrument was the self defined Islamic theory in and for itself. For directly to eliminate the physical borders of ones land as they started to preach the Islamic brotherhood.One went on to assert that resources as such is theft, deliberatly redefined,( i am using the word redefined because in original defination of a countery they were obviously foreigners to baloch land ) the concept of countery to take advantage of the obvious formula that the natural wealth of a country can and should be common property.Immediately the economic intelligentsia with its nationalist outlook could, here too, no longer co-operate: for this intelligentsia was bound to say to itself that this theory meant the collapse of any civilization in open the ways for invasion whatever . Now ,more and more so to influence the masses that he persuaded those of the Islamic forces that the faults of the Sardars were the faults of the Nationalists, and similarly he made it appear to those of the Nationalists that the faults of the Islamic Forces were simply the faults of the so-called 'Mulla' and neither side noticed that on both sides the faults were the result of a scheme planned by alien devilish agitators. And only so is it possible to explain how this dirty joke of Baloch history could come to be that setteled Punjabies should become the leaders of Balochs. It is a gigantic fraud: world history has seldom seen its like.

And then we must ask ourselves: what are the final aims of this development?

So soon as thousands of men have had it hammered into them that they are so oppressed and enslaved that it matters not what their personal attitude may be to their people, their State, or economic life, then a kind of passive resistance must result, which sooner or later will do fatal damage to the national economy. Through the preaching of the Islamic economic theory the national economy must go to ruin. We see the results in Afghanistan.So the process is furthered through the organization of the 'political strike.' Often there are adequate economic grounds for a strike, but there are always political grounds and plenty of them.

And one can see constantly how wonderfully the Army of Punjab and the Polatical leader of the punjab ,co-operate. They both pursue one common policy and a single aim. Cheif of Army Staff on the one side encourages his association to refuse the Baloch demands and tries to crush them, while his brother Chodhries in the Parliament tries to persuade us that bread is dearer.

How long can this process last? It means the utter destruction not only of economic life, but of the people. It is clear that all these apostles who talk their tongues out of their heads, but who spend the night in the Hotel Bhorban, travel in Airconditioned mercedes , and spend their leave for their health in Europe - these people do not exert their energies for love of the people. No, the people is not to profit, it shall merely be brought into dependence on these men. The backbone of its independence, its own economic life, is to be destroyed, that it may the more surely relapse into the golden fetters of the perpetual interest-slavery of the Punjabi race. And this process will end when suddenly out of the masses someone arises who seizes the leadership, finds other comrades and fans into flame the passions which have been held in check and looses them against the deceivers.

That is the lurking danger, and the Punjabis can meet it in one way only - by destroying the hostile national intelligentsia. That is the inevitable ultimate goal of the Punjabi in his so called "Sab Say Pahlay Pakistan"(the Pakistan first) slogan. And this aim he must pursue; he knows well enough his economics brings no blessing: his is no master people: he is an exploiter: the Punjabis are a people of robbers. He has never founded any civilization, (they may claim the texila harappa civilizations but as a matter of fact these belong to indus vally civilization era not the punjabi civilizations) though he has destroyed civilizations . He possesses nothing of his own creation to which he can point. Everything that he has is stolen. Baloch resources build him his industrial empires, it is Indus water which enables it to produce so called bumper crops (it may be reminded that punjab had already sold out its three rivers ) .urdu speakings who sacrifised and work for him shed their blood for Punjabis so called Pakistan.He knows no 'proper army': he has but only a group of wild people who can only n only kill the poor civilians.Who are ready to go to any wilderness in Balochistan.All that the Punjabi cannot do. And because he cannot do it, therefore all his voices must be 'Sab say pahlay Pakistan.' They must spread as a pestilence spreads. He can build no State and say 'See there, there stands the State, a model for all. Now let we copy it!' He must take care that the plague does not die, that it is not limited to one place, or else in a short time this plague-hearth would burn itself out. So he is forced to bring every mortal thing to so called Pakistan and national intrest expansion. For how long? Until the whole Pakistan sinks in ruins and brings him down with it in the midst of the ruins. so the genocide starts and punjabi started to kill Balochs .

It is a tragic fate:role of the punjabi driven and controled media : if any of Punjabi dies during the money making process in Balochistan they raise a mighty howl over 'the sacrifice of valuable human blood' , and here in the Balochistan six million human beings are being slowly martyred - done to death, some on the scaffold, hundreds of tens by machine guns , tens of thousands through starvation. A whole people is dying, and now we can perhaps understand how it was possible that formerly all the civilizations of Mesopotamia disappeared without a trace so that one can only with difficulty find in the desert sand the remains of these cities. We see how in our own day whole countries die out under this scourge of God, and we see how this scourge is threatening Balochistan, too, and how with us our own people in mad infatuation is contributing to bring upon itself the same yoke, the same misery.

In despair when we considered the situation which left us quite defenseless in face of Punjab which is so hostile to Balochistan ? and is it just Punjabi who is hostile ? we see how over there in Punjab it is not only the the people against us , it is the secret power of the orgnised press which ceaselessly pours new poison in to the hearts of other people as well.Who are then these bandits of the press? Our own brothers and the relatives corrospondents and columnists for their newspapers. And the capital source which provides the energy which here - and there - drives them forward is the Punjabi dream of Entire Supremacy.

Now the time changed we got few but worthy forums to counter the Punjabi media ,The masses of the people in Balochistan are becoming, in the political sphere, completely reborn.Here and there people are beginning to get some practice in criticism. Slowly, cautiously, and yet with a certain accuracy the finger is being placed on the real wound of our people. And thus one comes to realize: if only this development goes on for a time, it might be possible that from Eastren Balochistan the light should come which is destined to light both Eastren and the Western Balochistan to their salvation.

It is said, if one criticizes the state of affairs to which we have been brought today, that one is a terrorist . I ask you what would probably have been the state of Balochistan today if during these years there had been no criticism at all? I believe that in fact there has been far, far too little criticism. our people unfortunately is much too uncritical or otherwise it would long ago have not only seen through many things but would have swept them away with its fist. The crisis getting developed towards its culmination. The day is not far distant when, for the reasons which I have stated, the Baloch Liberation Movement must be carried forward to final step.

Whether for the moment it comes to them under that name or under another, the fact is that everywhere more and more it is making headway. Today all these folk cannot yet belong to a single party, but, wherever you go, in Balochistan, yes almost in the whole Balochistan, you find already thousands of thinking men who know that a State can be built only on a Baloch Nationalist foundation and they know also that the deadly foe of every Baloch National conception is thePunjabi.

Every truly national idea is in the last resort Baloch Nationalist, i.e., he who is prepared so completely to adopt the cause of his people that he really knows no higher ideal than the prosperity of this - his own - people, he who has so taken to heart the meaning of our great song 'Ma chukhoon Balochani' that nothing in this world stands for him higher than this Balochistan, people and land, land and people, he is a Baloch Nationalist! And he who in this people sympathizes with the poorest of its citizens, who in this people sees in every individual a valuable member of the whole nation, and who recognizes that this nation can flourish only when it is formed not of rulers and oppressed but when all according to their capacities fulfill their duty to their motherland and the nation of the people and are valued accordingly, he who seeks to preserve the native vigor, the strength, and the youthful energy of the millions of Balochs, and who above all is concerned that our precious possession, our youth, should not before its time be used up in unhealthy harmful work - He is National in the highest sense of that word.

It is the teaching of these facts which appears to the Punjabis as rulers of the Pakistan today to constitute a threatening danger. And it is precisely this which more than anything else makes the Punjabi wish to get in his blow as soon as possible. For one thing he knows quite well: in the last resort there is only one danger which he has to fear-and that danger is this Liberation Movement.

He knows the pro-punjabi parties. They are easily satisfied. Only endow them with a few seats as ministers or with similar posts and they are ready to go along with you. And in especial he knows one thing: they are so innocently stupid. In their case the truth of the old saying is proved afresh every day: 'Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first strike with blindness.' They have been struck with blindness: therefore it follows that the gods wish to destroy them.Some other parties and their leaders, they are indeed not Pro-punjabies but due to their gentelness,they never go to the roots of the evil,they all still think that with forbearance, with humanity, with accommodation they can fight a battle.Do uthink if they ever succeed.

No! A thousand times No! Here there are only two possibilities: either victory or defeat!

What today is the meaning of these great preparations for the decisive battle on the part of Punjabism?-

To make the nation defenseless in arms and to make the people defenseless in spirit.

Two great aims!

Abroad Baloch is already humiliated. The Nation trembles before every Punjabi -captain, the nation is no longer dangerous. And within Balochistan they have seen to it that arms should be taken away from the decent elements of the people and that in their stead Punjabi and Pro-Punjabi bands should be armed. Only one thing remains still to do: viz., the muzzling of the spirit, above all the arrest of the evil 'agitators' - that is the name they give to those who dare to tell the people the truth. Not only are their organizations to be known to all, but the innocent masses are to be incited against their persons. Just as the Punjabi could once incite the mob of innocent Gawaderies against Balochs and made them to observe strikes and rallies, so today he must succeed in inciting folk who have been duped into madness to attack those who, God's truth! seek to deal with this people in utter honesty and sincerity. And so he begins to intimidate them, and he knows that this pressure in itself is enough to shut the mouths of hundreds, yes, of thousands. For they think, if I only hold my tongue, then I shall be safe in case they come into power. No, my friend. The only difference will be that I may hang perhaps still talking, while you will hang - in silence. Here, too, History can give us countless examples, and with us it will be the same story.

We know that the so-called "Law of 16 MPO " which comes from army camps today is nothing else than a means for reducing all criticism to silence. We know, too, that no effort will be spared so that the last outstanding personalities - those who within Baloch foresee the coming of disaster - shall in good time disappear. And to that end the population of Balochistan will be scourged into opposition to Nationalists every lie and every misrepresentation that comes to hand. Up there they have the feeling that in no corner of spirit of the Baloch people is not yet broken. And that is the point to which we Nationalists have to grapple ourselves. We Nationalists are, God's truth! perhaps the most loyal, the most devoted of all men to our Baloch motherland. For the years we have waged a war, often against death and devil, but always only for our Baloch motherland. We got so far that at the last, as crown of all our labors, we had to land in prisons , or recived the bullets . But in spite of everything there is one thing we would say: We do make a distinction between a Pro-Punjabi Government and the Baloch Motherland. When today here some lousy youth casts in our teeth the charge that we have no loyalty to the development of Motherland, I beg you do not distress yourselves. The Baloch people has sealed its loyalty to theMotherland with its freedom fighters which fought and still fighting for the Motherland.We are convinced, and that in the last resort is our one great faith, that out of this bitterest distress and this utter misery the Baloch sovereignty will rise soon, but not as now, not as the offspring of wretchedness and misery - we shall possess once again a true Balochi concept of freedom and of honor, a real motherland of the whole Baloch people and not an asylum for alien swindlers. There is today constant talk about 'Federalism,' etc. I beg you not to abuse the Baloch cause while at the same time you grovel before the Punjabis, but show yourselves stiff-necked against the folk of Punjab. And if you do that, then you will have on your side in the whole of Balochs , whether they be Sarawanians or men of Jhalawan . Now is the hour to stand stiff-necked and resist to the last!

We Nationalists who for the years have done nothing but faught - abused and insulted by traitors, by some mocked and scorned, by others traduced and slandered - we cannot retreat! For us there is only one path which leads straight ahead. We know that the fight which now is blazing will be a hard struggle. It will not be fought out in a Parliament at Islamabad, it will be fought out through those factors which in their hard reality have ever up to the present time made history.

On one point there should be no doubt: we will not let the Punjabi slit our gullets and not defend ourselves. Today in Islamabad they may already be arranging their festival-dinners with the Pro-Punjabi politicians of Balochistan - that they will never do here. They may today begin to set up the Border Forces , announce the NFC awards,Activate NAB, they may give ISI & MI a free scope, we surrender to such Punjabi forces ? never! We have the conviction, firm as a rock, that, if in this State Baloch youngmen are determined to stand by their 'No' to the very last, the evil specter will collapse into nothingness . For what Balochistan needs today, what Balochistan longs for ardently, is a symbol of power, and strength.

So as I come to the end of my speech I want to ask something of those among you who are young. And for that there is a very special reason. The old parties train their youth in the gift of the gab, we prefer to train them to use their bodily strength parallel to the philosphical studies. For I tell you: the young man who does not find his way to the place where in the last resort the destiny of his people is most truly represented, this time involves in pets (Baloch in region of Jacobabd and Larkana take keen intrest in the pets like Bull races )or sits at home by the fire, he is no Baloch youth! I call upon you! Join our Armed Divisions! And however many insults and slanders you may hear if you do join, you all know that the Armed Divisions have been formed for our protection, for your protection, and at the same time not merely for the protection of the Liberation Movement, but for the protection of a Balochistan that is to be. If you are reviled and insulted, good luck to you, my dear fellows! You have the good fortune already at early thirties of age to be hated by the greatest of scoundrels. What others can win only after a lifetime of toil, this highest gift of distinguishing between the honest man and the brigand, falls as a piece of luck into your lap while you are but youths. You can be assured that the more they revile you, the more we respect you. We know that if you were not there, none of us would write next time. We know, we see clearly that our Movement would be cudgelled down if you did not protect it! You are the defense of a Movement that is called one day to remodel Balochistan in revolutionary fashion from its very foundations in order that there may come to birth what perhaps so many expected our age : a Sovereign Baloch Stat and , so far as in us lies, a Baloch Republic.

Every battle must be fought to the end - better that it come early than late. And he ever stands most securely who from the first goes to the fight with the greatest confidence. And this highest confidence we can carry with us in our hearts. For he who on our side is today the leader of the Baloch people, God's truth! he has nothing to win but perhaps only everything to lose. He who today fights on our side cannot win great laurels, far less can he win great material goods - it is more likely that he will end up in jail. He who today is leader must be an idealist, if only for the reason that he leads those against whom it would seem that everything has conspired.

But in that very fact there lies an inexhaustible source of strength. The conviction that our Movement is not sustained by money or the lust for gold, but only by our love for the people,for motherland, that must ever give us fresh heart, that must ever fill us with courage for the fray.

To sum up, take with you this assurance: if this battle should not come, never would Baloch win sovereignty. Balochistan would decay and at the best would sink to ruin like a rotting corpse. But that is not our destiny. We do not believe that this misfortune which today our God sends over Balochistan has no meaning: it is surely the scourge which should and shall drive us to a new greatness, to a new power and glory, to a Balochistan which for the first time shall fulfill that which in their hearts millions of the best of our fellow countrymen have hoped for through the century, to the Balochistan of the Baloch people!

Balochistan Sawez baat.

Pakistan is planning massive military operation in Marri, Bugti and Makran areas

2005-10-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

Bugti foresees army action

By Our Staff Correspondent

QUETTA, Oct 28: Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Akbar Bugti has accused the government of planning a massive military operation in Marri, Bugti and Makran areas.

Talking to newsmen in Dera Bugti on Thursday, the JWP chief said a military operation was imminent because the rulers wanted to take control of the national resources of the Baloch people. Forces for the operation were ready, he said.

He warned the Baloch nation that the situation on the ground indicated that the operation could be launched during Ramazan or after Eid in different areas of the province.

He said that the four gas fields in the Bugti area providing energy to the whole country was an important wealth of the province.

The Marri area, he said, was also very important because of presence of huge oil and gas reserves as proven by various surveys conducted by the government and other agencies.

He said Makran was also an important area as multinational companies were taking interest in Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara and Jewani and the government was building necessary infrastructure and working on mega projects to meet international requirements.

“Most areas of Makran have been sold to multinational companies,” Nawab Bugti alleged. He said that the government was using all its power to take complete control of the areas and the coming operation would be massive.

He said that in Bugti area more than 13,000 troops, including contingents of the SSG, the DSG, the FC, Rangers and other security forces had been deployed.

There were 16 tanks, 20 long-range field guns, a number of helicopter gunships, 40 pieces of artillery, 35 to 40 armoured personnel carriers and other military equipment in the area, he said.

He said heavy concentration of forces had also been reported from the Marri tribal area and reinforcement was being sent to Makran.

He said the government had held out assurances before the March 17 action in Dera Bugti that no action would be taken but people of the area faced death and destruction.

Answering a question, the JWP chief said the place and time of the operation would be selected by the government but it was imminent in view of recent developments in the country.

Balochistan offers seats in varsities to Kashmiris

By Our Staff Correspondent

QUETTA, October 28: Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani has offered students of quake-hit Azad Kashmir admissions to universities in Balochistan.

He asked the AJK government to send its students to Balochistan.

He made the offer in view of large-scale destruction of universities and other educational institutions in Muzaffarabad and other areas of Azad Kashmir by the Oct 8 earthquake.

A large number of students died in the catastrophe while survivors have been deprived of the opportunity to pursue their education. The governor said Balochistan had seven universities, including one for women, where Kashmiri students could be accommodated.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/29/nat7.htm

SHO, two others booked in rape case

By Our Correspondent

QUETTA Oct 28: On the directives of the sessions judge of Nasirabad, the Mirhasan police station has registered an FIR against its own SHO and two others in a rape case.

Area DSP Muhammad Tariq told Dawn on Friday that under the orders of Judge Zafar Ali Kkhoso, the FIR had been registered against SHO Jan Muhammad, Lal Khan and Jano on the complaint of victim Shali. He said a copy of the FIR would be presented to the court.

The court, hearing an application filed by Shali and Nagina on Thursday, had directed the police station to register the complaint against the people nominated in the application.

The victims had alleged that on the night of October 22 and 23, the SHO and two others had criminally assaulted them in their house in village Hamid near Dera Murad Jamali.

Source

BNP leaders condemn Wadh attack

2005-10-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

BNP leaders condemn Wadh attack

By Our Staff Correspondent

QUETTA, Oct 19: The Balochistan National Party (BNP) has condemned an attack on the residence of veteran Baloch leader and Ponam chief Sardar Ataullah Mengal and held secret agencies, provincial government and Muslim Leaguers responsible.

An emergency meeting of the party held here on Wednesday adopted a resolution describing the Wadh incident as an effort to stop the Mengal tribe and Sardar Mengal’s family from providing political guidance to the Baloch people.

“It is a conspiracy of secret agencies against Mengal tribe and its tribal elder,” the resolution claimed and vowed to foil all such bids with the cooperation of party workers.

The resolution also warned that all such conspiracies would be resisted with full force at all levels and the government, PML and secret agencies would not be allowed to implement their designs against the Mengal family.

The meeting decided to hold a Press conference on Thursday to inform people about the realities.

The meeting of PONAM would also be convened soon in this regard.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party head by its Secretary General Akram Shah, visited central secretariat of BNP and condemned the Wadh incident.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/20/nat8.htm

Settlement of land in Quetta valley urged

By Our Correspondent

QUETTA, Oct 19: Elders of the Sadaat-i-Karani clan have called upon the provincial government to settle the issue of barren land in Quetta valley to prevent tribal feuds which may erupt due to bogus registration by the tehsil staff of the land belonging to local tribesmen.

Speaking at a press conference at the press club on Wednesday, Syed Ali Ahmed Shah and other elders of the clan said that the killing of four people in Kili Ghulam Jan (Sariab) on October 15 was the result of fake registration of a plot of land.

They said that the British government had in 1945 carried out settlement of some of the land in Quetta valley and registered it in names of tribesmen. But now, they alleged that the tehsil staff in collaboration with land mafia were selling the unsettled barren land through bogus registrations.

They claimed that on the directives of the then acting president, Mr Wasim Sajjad, then governor of Balochistan Abdul Rahim Durrani had on Dec 6 1995 cancelled the bogus settlement of the land conducted in 1986-87 following strong protests by local tribesmen.

They appealed to the president and the prime minister to intervene and restrain the tehsil staff from re-issuing cancelled settlement transfer of land registration to land mafia.

GOVERNOR: Provincial Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani has said the contributions made by the people of Balochistan for earthquake victims in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP was an _expression of solidarity and love for their brethren.

Talking to volunteers during a visit to relief camps established in the city on Wednesday, the governor said that the earthquake was a major tragedy but the immediate response of the people across the country was a source of comfort for the victims.

He said that contributions made by the people in cash and kind helped ease problems of the victims and, at the same time, effectively demonstrated that the people and the government were united in efforts to help their brethren in their hour of distress.

Vast areas in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP were hit by the quake and therefore, Mr Owais said that it was the responsibility of the people to continue their cooperation with people engaged in providing relief to the affected people.

The governor visited the camps set up at Bolan Shop, Askari Park, Meezan Chowk, Shara-i-Adalat and Jinnah Road.

Volunteers at the camps informed the governor about relief aid sent to the affected areas.

GWADAR BLAST CASE: A division bench of the Balochistan High Court has admitted a petition filed by the state challenging the judgment of a lower court acquitting five people in the May 3, 2004, Gwadar bomb blast case.

Three Chinese were killed and nine others suffered injuries in the blast near the Gwadar seaport.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai and Justice Kelash Nath Kohli, issued notices and bailable arrest warrants for the accused.

The judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court, Quetta, had acquitted Mohammad Aslam Guagrani, Khuda Bakhsh, Mohammad Usman, Master Saeed and Ataur Rehman Mengal when the prosecution failed to prove the charge against them.

Special prosecutor Bashir Ahmed Qazi has filed the petition on behalf of the state.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/20/nat13.htm

KARACHI: BSO chief ends protest on HRCP assurance

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Oct 19: Baloch Students Organization Chairman Dr Imdad Baloch, who ended his 16-day fast-unto-death on Tuesday evening, said that struggle for the rights of Baloch people would continue.

He went on hunger-strike on Oct 2 in protest against the illegal detention of BSO activists and political prisoners in Balochistan and “state repression in the province.”

The BSO leader called off his strike at the request of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Baloch and Sindhi nationalist leaders, who assured him that the issue of detention of BSO leaders would be raised at national forum.

The BSO has been active in highlighting the plight of Baloch people by launching campaigns on issues such as military operation in Balochistan, longer standing issue of access to resources such as gas and other mineral resources.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/20/local18.htm

Battle Of Identity And Existence

2005-10-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

BY: Zafar Bashir Adovcate

Balochistan is the land of “Baloch Tigers” where “foxes” are very cunning and hatching conspiracy for the destruction of Tigers, Kingdom. We Baloch have faced and seen many bitter experiences such as demarcations of our homeland by British Authorities, without caring about Baloch interests and their consents. The land of Great Balochistan was not “given” to us as “a piece of cake”, but “ those” were bravery and honor guarding of ours, which have protected our mother- fatherland. In recent past and present time, because of our superficial differences we have lost our dignity, freedom, sovereignty and self-rule. Our Great Homeland has occupied by three states, two of them, are undemocratic and extremist ones. We have fought many battles for survival and freedom. We have defended ourselves from the Britishers, Portuguese, Afghanis, Persians and Punjabis and still facing some of them bravely and with honor guarding and a “right” to do so. (duty too)

In Pakistan’s occupied Balochistan so-called Gwadar developmental mega projects are death-knells for us. So-called and self-concocted mega project of Gwadar deep-sea port, which is under construction of China, is nothing but a planned destruction of whole Balochs and converting majority of Baloch into minority.

In Port Authority, there is only few balochs who are working as peons and laborers. All superiors or employers, administrative or executive, are non- baloch; they are bloodsuckers Punjabis and muahjars. In Development Authority, only selected, by Establishment, balochs are employing, just promoting the exploitative inner ill motive of non-baloch; only some baloch engineers were selected, who are baloch-faces only, but not baloch in true and national senses!!!

In CDA (coastal development authority) also only shameless and notorious persons have been selected. In “town” of Gwadar we hardly see a Baloch Nationalism “lovers”(not lover) businessmen!!! Only slaves of their own self-interests!!! And do all daily life activities for only loaves and sex pleasures!!!
Balochs in Gwadar, majority of them, are not acquainted with their selfness and don’t know about true and correct history of our Great Balochistan.

Drugs and land mafias are “vagabonding” every corner of town. They are kings of day and night!!! The “Tigers” are where???
It is our last battle, which has started/commenced now, against intimates of stereotyped culture, darkness, ignorance, mafias (land, drug, arm etc), debauchery, expoliation, unloyalty with homeland etc. Gwadar is one example; there are other instances of our last battle!!! The main and essential thing, which should be expressed and acted, is unity of us. Why our leaders are not come under “one umbrella of unity of Baloch national cause”??? The proposal/ suggestion of Waja Akber Bugti is a pressing need for us. We must be united. We should “comprehend” that we are fighting our last battle for our legitimate “rights”. Why our resources be used or harnessed by others??? Why we, everyone, has made a one-inch tract??? Why egoism is dominated over collective gain and uplift???
These all Questions want one answer that is “we are not united as demanded by present circumstances on/in our homeland, the land which decides the “verdict of death and life” of main powers in the arena of world; the Great land of Balochistan.

The Sons of our homeland is languishing behind “unknown bars”. Dr.Allah Nizar and others simply demanded their own baloch rights and disclosed/displayed only cruelties of state, if it is a sin or crime then this will not end, because human being is human being, not animal.

Cantonments are being made in Balochistan. Why??? Why in other parts of country, save Balochistan, cantonments are not made and search operations not started, where every day and night bomb blasts are “breakfasts” and “suppers” of them???
Enemies are enemies, but irony is that, friends are doing not well!!! “KNOWING OF A THING AND DOING NOTHING IS SAME TO NOT KNOWING ATALL”

Our leaders and masses, particularly of Makran, know that the sons of our homeland are behind “unknown bars” and they are incommunicado, but they (leaders and masses) are just “silent spectators”. Look at National Party the “symbol of paradoxes” and other so-called nationalists are “frying fish on water” and “eating dates through ears and noses”!!!!!!
Look at the human-shaped “cows” of our land, they are only thinking about their “papers and plastics”!!!
Look at Kech society, which is 90 percent rotten, because the drugs traffickers and thefts are leaders, decisions-makers and problems- solvers of Kech society. Nationalists, reformists and radicalists of Kech society are where???
We are fighting our last battle of survival. We should be united and it must be expressed and transferred to all balochs that “rotten things” may be made good but rotten minds, reformation is impossible like that of Makran, s so-called nationalists (not all).
Our women should be made understood, that if a barren land produces no products it will not be a matter of shameful, but when productive and fertile land produces nothing then it is a matter of insult and shamefulness!!!
In Iran, why we are forced to not talk and write Balochi “shad-e-zooban”??? Is there any majority to protest against this tyranny??? No, there is none, except 10 or 5 percent balochs of the homeland (some are residing in foreign countries).
Establishment in 1948,1958,1968,1973-77 and now in present attacked us why???Is our land a conquered land??? Answer is “no”, moreover, we are not united in one chain; we are not one in actual and true “sense of mind” not “spoken words”.

Our culture has been deculturised through state electronic and print media and by our so-called intellectuals. One is a follower of socialist, one is “laapparst”, one is “chamcha” of dictators, one is BNP (M), one is JWP, one is NP, one is Ahqtawar, one is Ehlam, one is BNM (Iran-Balochistan), one is BNM (Pakistan-Balochistan) and others are others ones!!!!!!! Why not “WE ARE ONE”????

IT is very much shameful for proud Baloch nation that sons of homeland are behind “unknown bars” and they are incommunicado, and we, all, are only just “begging and waiting” for their releases!!!! Sad very said baloch!!!!!!!!!!!!
Movement should not go forward and achieve its goals/ends until there be unity, sincerety, seriousness, dedication and devotion with/to movement/cause. There is much difference between “begging to others and acting by oneself”. It is, now, necessary for our assemblies’ members that they must resign from their memberships and portfolios as soon as possible. The theories of “survival of the fittest and do or die must be completely understood and accepted by us because we are fighting our last battle of identity and existence but not least one, now.

WE must rubbish aside all our superficial, extra and useless issues and be united for baloch cause. We must be the owner of our natural resources, for this unity is sine qua non for 21 century. We want to protect and preserve our culture and language from global floods of others cultures. We want to be a part of internationalism, then for this unity is the order of the day.
“UNITY IS STRENGTH”

“United we stand” We must be prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

We must make ourselves be the “Baloch Ocean” to tide as baloch said.

We must not be sleepy men/women.

We must not be that “KAPOOT”(a bird), which closes its eyes when cat comes to attack it.

From our (BALOCH) side, without fear, “day should be said day and night is night”

We, first of all, face our fifth columns or agent provocateurs, then forward for our “rights”.
“_________________

Armed Struggle is Baloch Solution

2005-10-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

THIS TO DO

1 . Baloch must find a foreign patron , one who has a strategic interest against both Iran and Pakistan or two different ones with strategic interest in disintegration of Iran and Pakistan. ( These could be America and India).

2. Involve all sections of Baloch society including sardars but with a democratic decision making system.

3. The armed forces of baloch must be led by a single man with military acumen.

4. Establish a government in exile.

DO YOU KNOW

Every second the Baloch -Non Baloch population gaps is increasing by something like 1-5 in Iran and 1-9 in Pakistan.

Great questions of the day are not settled by resolutions and debates but by blood and iron.

Jalal Sher Koh

BLA-Sherkoh (Balochistan Liberation Army-Sherkoh)

Please help to STOP the Pakistani State Terrorism

2005-10-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

Please help to STOP the Pakistani State Terrorism and human rights violations in Balochistan against Baloch people.

On the behalf Of Baloch Society of North America (BSO-NA), I would like to bring your attention to the deteriorating condition Of Dr. Imdad Baloch, Chairman of Baloch student Organization (BSO), who is on huger strike to death in front of Karachi Press club for the past 14 days, demanding the relase of student leader Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch and many other illegally detained Baloch political activist from pakistani jails.

Arrests, kidnappings and illegal detention of Baloch students, political workers and leaders by Pakistani police and intelligence agencies are a routine in Balochistan. After severe mental and physical torture, they are either made paralyzed or killed. Judiciary seems Indifferent and human right organizations are helpless in this regard. All of this has forced Dr. Imdad Baloch, Chairman of Baloch Students Organization (BSO) to go on hunger strike till death in front of Karachi Press Club from 3rd of October, 2005, till today.

Dr. Imdad Baloch was himself abducted by pakistani intelligence agencies from Karachi on 25th March, 2005 with Six other BSO members, namely Dr. Allah Nazar (former Chairman BSO), Dr. Yousuf (Press Secretary BSO), Ghulam Rasool (member Central Committee of BSO), Dr. Naseem (ex Central Committee member of BSO), AIi Nawaz and Akhtar Nadeem. They were detained in clandestine torture cells for three months and severely tortured. Dr. Imdad Baloch and his three BSO friends were later released , but Dr. Allah Nazar, Ali Nawaz and Akhtar Nadeem are still in custody without any trial and are being tortured. Among these three, the Condition Of Dr. Allah Nazar is said to be especially grave, who is partially paralyzed and reportedly unable to speak or recognize anyone as result of being tortured and electric shocks. His family has expressed concern that his injuries may result in complete paralysis unless he receives immediate medical treatment in hospital.However, the authorities have reportedly denied the men access to medical treatment."

Ali Asghar Bangulzai and his cousin Mohd Iqbal was kidnapped by Pakistani secret police on 18th October, 2001 in Quetta. Mohd Iqbal was released after 22 days but the whereabouts of Ali Asghar Bangulzai are still unknown, even after more than 5 years. Bangulzai children and relatives are on ongoing protest and hunger strike in Front or Quetta press club for last few months. Moreover, it has been more than two years since Hafiz Saeed Bangulzai, the uncle of Ali Asgher Bangulzai, was also abducted by security police and his whereabouts are still unknown too.

Gohram Baloch was arrested by Pakistani military on 8th August, 2004 when he was on his way from his native village Mand to Gwadar. He is still missing. Recently, on 22nd of September 2005, his younger brother, Abid Saleh, was also picked up by pakistani security forces and no body knows where they are being kept. On August 2005 fourteen young members of BSO were arrested in Turbat during a peaceful demonstration, and are still under illegal detention of Turbat police.

These few cases and with many others, have forced Dr. Imdad Baloch, the Chairman of Baloch Student Organization (BSO), to go on hunger strike till death. His demands are to release Dr. Allah Nazar, Ali Nawaz, Akhtar Nadeem, Ali Asghar Bangulzai, Hafiz Saeed Bangulzai, Abid Saleh, Gohram Saleh, Haji Jan Mohd Marri, fourteen members of BSO and other Baloch political illegal detainees.

Pakistan’s crime against our people in Balochistan are not new. Balochistan has been a victim of Pakistani terrorism since its occupation in 1947, by Pakistani Army. Thousand people have died and many are behind bars and are being tortured, including Dr. Allah Nazar, Goher Baloch, Akhtar Nadeem, Ali Asgher Bangulzai, Jan Mohammad Marri, Gohram, Saleh Baloch and many others.The Baloch people in Balochistan are asking,

"How long Baloch people have to suffer more? How long more we have to be tortured in the hands of Pakistani military dictators? When the human right violations and Pakistan's tyranny against our Baloch people will end and when will we have our freedom back?"

Your urgent attention and immediate intervention can save a life and will be highly appreciated by the people of Balochistan and the Baloch diaspora of allover the world. Please use your influence to ask the Pakistani authorities to let all these illegal detainees go and stop its human rights violations in Balochistan against the defensless innocent Baloch people. We highly appreciate your kind attention, immediate intervention and moral support in this matter. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Wahid Baloch, President
Baloch Society Of North America (BSO-NA), USA.
http://www.bso-na.org/

Detained Baloch students in poor health.

2005-10-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

On September 29, 2005, I, along with Dr Ishaque Baloch and Dr Shamma
Ishaque Baloch (NP's MP), visited Dr Alla Nazar at Quetta Jail ward. It was
not an easy task to have permission to visit him, and when we got at the
Sandeman Hospital's Jail ward, we found a group of angry students who were
there to meet their comrade but with no success. They expelled all their
anger against the police guard who happened to be a Mengal Baloch. This
guard then came to us threatening that he would ask the sardar of his
Mengal tribe who would kill all these students in a minute because they had
mistreated him (he made the sign of decapitating them with daggers). We
consoled him telling him that they were his sons (seeing his old age) and
brothers and they were angry because their chairman was being kept in
prison and they were not allowed to see him.
As to the health of Dr Alla Nazar, we found him terribly sick with a very
poor mental and physical health. He had been severely tortured and he told
us that he had gone through severe physical torture in Karachi but had been
subject to repeated mental torture in Quetta's infamous Kuli camp prison.
He described to us how the interrogation team had subjected him to mental
and physical torture for days and days in a continuation without giving him
a single minute to rest for days. He told us that once he had been going
mad out of severe pain and had asked for some medicine after being tortured
and kept awaken for days he was again kept awake in a standing position for
another 8 hours simply for having asked for medicines. He told us that he
had been given three types of poison (he named them but I can't remember
them now as we were not in a position to either record our talks or take
notes). Sometime they would give him anti-dotes after administering him
poison. He said sugar was mixed in his food so that he could bear the
bitter taste of the poison and eat the food. He had also been given some
sort of liquid which has destroyed all of his digestive system. When we met
him he was suffering from severe pain in his chest and stomach. Left side
of his head was totally benumbed and his left leg was almost paralysed. He
told us that all of his comrades had left legs paralysed. Physically he was
very weak and trembling all the time. He said he had been beaten heavily on
his stomach and lower parts of the stomach and, as a result, he could not
stand straight.
He was physically very weak and mentally upset and disturbed. He said he
loses his temper frequently and very easily. He was afraid of getting mad
if not treated properly. He was not receiving any proper treatment at all.
There were two nurses and one ward boy in the whole jail ward who had no
idea of any treatment. He said he would request for a doctor but a medical
officer appears only after two or three days and he continues to suffer in
the meantime.
The only thing that he had intact was his high morale: he repeatedly told
us that he would never bow to the enemies of his nation and would sacrifice
all his life for the freedom of his people and the right of the Baloch. He
said the was is still on and he would fight it until the last breath. He
wanted me to pass on his message to the Baloch community outside
Balochistan telling them that his body has been paralysed but not his will
and determination.
He told us that he and two of his comrades have been remanded for a one
month long interrogation at the Joint Interrogation Team. Later on a
journalist friend managed to get a copy of the order in which three hereos
of the Baloch are ordered to be remanded. The order is issued by the Home
and Tribal Affairs Department with the subject of “Interrogation of
Suspects Through Joint Interrogation Team” comprised of 1) The Department
of Police Special Branch Chairman, 2) Representative of ISI, 3)
Representative of Military Intelligence, 4) Representative of Intelligence
Bureau, and 5) Representative of Corps Intelligence Unit (313). The letter
concludes by ordering these agencies that “the interrogation of the
suspects, Dr Allah Nazar, Akhtar Nadeem and Gohar Khan, be conducted in Sub
Jail ATF, Quetta Cantt., and a report with recommendations of the JIT may
be furnished to this department positively”.

Now, seeing the preoccupying physical and mental conditions of Dr Allah
Nazar (I have no idea of others as I had no occasion to meet them) he is
not in a condition to go through another mental and physical torture in the
hands of these criminals. It is, therefore, requested to the peace-loving
peoples around the world and to all human rights organizations to please
come forward and force the criminal regime of Pakistan to stop violating
human rights in Balochistan and immediately release all Baloch students and
other political prisoners so that they can get proper treatment in proper
health centres. All Baloch organizations are requested to take immediate
action and to do their best to make sure that Pakistani authorities stop
their inhuman treatment against Baloch political prisoners.

Long live the peaceful struggle of the Baloch for their basic human rights.

Badal Khan

Imdad Baloch hunger strike till death

2005-10-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

Karachi.Oct.3, 2005: Dr. Imdad Baloch, Chairman Baloch students Organization (BSO-United) announced in a press conference at Karachi Press Culb today, that he is going to start hunger strike till death, starting the October 3rd, 2005, untill all Baloch political workers and student leaders including Dr. Allah Nazar, Abdul Nabi Bangulzai, Ali Nawaz, Akhtar Nadeem, Ali Asghar Bangulzai, Hafiz Saeed, Abid Saleh, Zahid Saleh and others Baloch illehgal detainees are released from Pakistani jails and detention cells.

Chairman Dr. Imdad Baloch was Kidnapped by Pakistani ISI on March 24th, 2005, along with other seven BSO leaders from Karachi, after they had joined a peaceful protest against the military operation in Balochistan, in which 70 Baloch died and more than 200 were injured. Dr. Imdad Baloch and his three friends were released in May 2005, reported toture and degrading unhuman treatment during detention. The other three BSO leaders, including Dr. Allah Nazar are still in Jail and their families have reported that all three men have been tortured using electric shocks. Among these three, the Condition Of Dr. Allah Nazar is said to be especially grave, who is partially paralyzed and reportedly unable to speak or recognize anyone as result of electric shocks and torture. His family has expressed concern that his injuries may result in complete paralysis unless he receives immediate medical treatment in a hospital.However, the authorities have reportedly denied the men access to medical
treatment."

Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Amnesty International have shown concerns over the torture reports. In their press release it says, ?It is obvious that the illegal detentions and torture in custody are one part of a broader strategy of intimidation and harassment being pursued across the country. During the first seven months of the year, political activists, journalists and other citizens expressing dissent have all been picked up and subjected to similar intimidation. It also seems personnel of agencies and police are acting with growing impunity in carrying out such illegal acts."

?HRCP demands all illegally detained people held in the country be produced before courts, and charged if they are guilty of any unlawful act. It also calls for civil society groups to be given access to detained persons. The tactic of illegally arresting people can do nothing to dampen dissent, but will only add to the anger and frustration growing in the country, adding to the already existing threat of further violence and
mayhem. ?

After the Press Conference, Dr. Imdad Baloch sat on hunger strike in front of Karachi Press clubs. Many members of Baloch Student Organization (BSO-United) were also with him. "After my Martyrdom, The Secretary General Of BSO-United Saeed Yousuf will continue the Hunger strike till death," said Dr. Imdad Baloch.

Wanted soldiers to wage Information warfare

2005-09-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

By Ms.Sunaina Baloch , Phd
Zurich

Our brave Balochi nationalists are relentlessly fighting for freedom on the ground , leaving all mundane pleasures , sacrificing every everything , shedding their blood . We all salute them and shed tears for their martyrdom . They are doing their job in the mother land , but the question is whether Diaspora is doing their job sincerely in educating the people around the world about the struggle , oppression of pakistan .

We have number of discussion groups , individuals chat on latest developments in Balochistan , yelling at each other with views/opinions/comments etc , all in a closely guarded secret discussions . I would say this is no different to romantic chat , where outside world don’t know what happens inside .

In politics though information exchange and sharing ideas is necessary among group ( secret forums) , it will be useless if we cannot transform the decisions or opinions into actions if we don’t broadcasting to the world community . On the other hand imagine , government machinery armed with all PR tools influencing the public opinion , a childs game for them . All I wish to ask our so called “intellectuals , leaders “ of baloch community is a simple question. Do we have a strategy , time frame , milestones in place to achieve Republic of Balochistan ? . Or are we just been gravitated towards Pakistani strategy , which eventually will lead to hell . If we are in their set strategy then forget about the dreams of freedom and sing the tunes of Pakistan .

This is a game , where we have to always ensure that our opponent must be on defensive constantly , on both fronts diplomatic and military . The later can be achieved by complete domination on the streets , suffocating the Frontier corps and breaking their will . Our Balochi nationalists are successful to some extent in achieving this . However we have failed miserably on PR front , except few websites (which doesn’t make impact to the world citizenry) . The world listens , when one speak soft and hold a big stick, if you don’t speak you are either ignored or called insane . This phenomenon holds true to balochis , they are poor in public relations in the western capitals . Nevertheless this can be improved by learning from others , viz., Kurdish , Kashmiri , Tamil groups , the way they deal with media , they way they educate the public and leaders of the west . I heard from one balochi brother that "We go to UN every year and make presentations " , that's good , and I asked what he is doing , he questioned , " What should I do ?" . The need of the hour is to train our guys .

There is a need for PR machinery in place, in almost all western capitals to deal with the forthcoming events in balochistan . We have to equip our organs around the world with the right tools to win the Information warfare, in order to win the freedom . I would suggest the young generation to take a break and think our struggle as a Game , and play it safe to win the game ,instead of emotions taking control of you . We need soldiers for Information warfare , not just forum chatters , we have to relay our message to outside world which is vital for our success .

1. Raise the level of awareness in all discussion forums by joining them and posting the news items on balochistan .

2. Compile daily news nuggets on Balochistan affairs and circulate , example Baloch Unity moderator compiles daily , but if that is neatly formatted and forwarded to NON BALOCHI groups ( say baloch friendly groups) , that will be of great help.

3. Prepare a mailing list of all Think tanks of west , individuals , journalists , influencers and TARGET them with (2)

4. Organize seminars in US and EU as frequently as possible and invite leaders.

5. BE A DIPLOMAT : Finally , each balochi living abroad has to conduct themselves as a DIPLOMAT . The have to give his or her time to the cause by networking and educating balochi cause . For that they should be armed with necessary information .

6. Prepare Talking points : It would be advisable to prepare talking points and FAQ’s for all balochis .

7. Identify yourself as Baloch : Never allow others to call you as a pakistani, this is the starting point to get recognition

8. Republic of Balochistan : Tell to the prople, that world map is going to change soon , there going to be one country called "Republic of Balochistan ".

Two explosions in Mastung

2005-09-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

By Our Correspondent

QUETTA, Sept 9: Two bombs exploded outside the tehsildar office at Mastung on Friday night damaging its walls. However, nobody was hurt during the blasts. An official at the Mastung police station, while confirming the explosions, told Dawn on the telephone that two bombs had been planted near the wall of the tehsildar office that exploded within 45 minutes of each other — the first exploded at 8:43pm and the second at 9:25pm.

He said the walls of the tehsildar office had been damaged.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/09/10/top14.htm

Quetta closes; 70 opposition activists arrested

By Amanullah Kasi

QUETTA, Sept 9: The opposition parties’ call for a wheel-jam strike on Friday received a positive response in the provincial capital whereas reports about partial strike were received from other parts of Balochistan. Police rounded up about 70 political workers accusing them of throwing stones on vehicles and burning tyres on roads in the city and Dera Allahyar of Jaffarabad district.

Shopping malls, markets and shops remained closed and transport remained off the road in Quetta on the call of MMA, ARD and PONAM demanding resignation of President Gen Pervez Musharraf from the offices of president and COAS and formation of independent election commission.

Activists of the opposition parties burnt the tyres near the Science College and other streets.

Inter city transport also remained suspended till the evening.

Complete strike was observed in Chaman, Loralai, Zhob, whereas mixed response was received from Sibi, Dera Murad Jamali, Khuzdar, Hub and coastal areas.

The government had deployed heavy contingent of law-enforcement agency to meet any eventuality. However, no untoward incident or violence was reported from any area of the province.

The opposition parties expressed satisfaction over the response to the strike call and condemned the workers’ arrests.

Leaders of the MMA, PONAM and ARD said in a statement that though the strike call against anti-people rulers was given without any preparation, the response was encouraging and also reflected that people were tired of the government’s wrong policies.

The statement said that the opposition parties would continue the struggle till they achieve their goals.

LAND OFFER: The head of the Khetran tribe has renewed an offer to provide the government a plot of land in Barkhan area for a military garrison.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/09/10/nat1.htm

Argentina to invest in Gwadar port

2005-09-08T08:42:00.001-07:00

Argentina to invest in Gwadar port

By Our Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: Pakistan and Argentina on Wednesday identified areas for collaboration, which include gas pipeline, petroleum explorations and investment in the Gwadar Port development.

This was one of the outcomes in the first meeting of the Joint Committee of Pakistan-Argentina. Pakistan commerce secretary and Argentina secretary of trade and economic affairs led their respective side.

It was also agreed that the cooperation would be extended to other areas like agriculture, pharmaceutical products, etc.

Meanwhile, an agreement was also signed between Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Argentine Chambers of Commerce for increasing bilateral trade and flow of information between the private sectors of the two countries.

In order to further promote the flow of information between the two countries, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed between Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and its counterpart organization in Argentine.

To implement the spirit of cooperation, it was agreed in the meeting that Argentina would send a trade delegation to Pakistan in the first quarter of 2006, and EPB would hold a single country exhibition in Argentina to fully tap the market.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/09/08/ebr10.htm

Train track blown up near DG Khan

Staff Report

MULTAN: Unidentified men blew-up the railway track between Darvaish Lashari and Dera Ghazi Khan rail stations at midnight on Wednesday, shortly after the Lahore-bound Chiltan Express passes by.

This was third blast on track in DG Khan this year. “A large area of the track between Kot Adu and DG Khan was damaged when a bomb exploded near level crossing no 218 some 90 miles west of Multan at midnight,” Railways SSP Multan Ahmed Mukhtar said. “The track was repaired immediately and it is clear for traffic,” Multan Divisional Superintendent Irfan Gauhar said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/
default.asp?page=story_8-9-2005_pg1_8

Indian delegation arrives for talks on gas pipeline

ISLAMABAD: A 10-member Indian delegation led by Indian Petroleum Secretary Sushil Chand Tripathy arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday to attend the second meeting of the joint working group on the multi-billion dollar Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline starting today.

The delegation was received at the airport by officials of the Petroleum Ministry and Foreign Office, and the Indian High Commissioner.

The working group will consider issues and challenges confronting the gas pipeline project.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri met with an Iranian delegation led by Secretary Iranian Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Dr Ali Larijani and discussed the IPI gas pipeline, among other issues.

Kasuri explained to the delegation Pakistan’s increasing energy requirements and called for speedy progress on the gas pipeline project. Larijani, who had visited New Delhi last week, observed that India had shown serious interest in the project. online

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/
default.asp?page=story_8-9-2005_pg7_55

Train track blown up near DG Khan

2005-09-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

Staff Report

MULTAN: Unidentified men blew-up the railway track between Darvaish Lashari and Dera Ghazi Khan rail stations at midnight on Wednesday, shortly after the Lahore-bound Chiltan Express passes by.

This was third blast on track in DG Khan this year. “A large area of the track between Kot Adu and DG Khan was damaged when a bomb exploded near level crossing no 218 some 90 miles west of Multan at midnight,” Railways SSP Multan Ahmed Mukhtar said. “The track was repaired immediately and it is clear for traffic,” Multan Divisional Superintendent Irfan Gauhar said.

The Baloch Question

2005-09-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

Mir Surat Khan Mari

The writers, intellectuals, and specially students of political science know well the concept of federalism. We briefly deal with Baloch reservations on Pakistan as a multi-national state, federation working, historical perspectives, and the legitimacy of Pakistani federation.

Pakistani historians and intellectuals trace the concept of Pakistan from a resolution adopted on 23rd March, 1940 at Lahore calling for an independent and sovereign states-for Muslims of sub-continent “ which constitutes the areas, in context of present Pakistan federation—Sindh, , Punjab NWFP and Balochistan. In this demand and plan, let us see where “Balochistan” is located in the map of Sub-continent. We should be very clear that it was 1940.

(i) Baloch confederacy - Kalat State was independent and sovereign - all its affairs with British Government were being dealt by the British foreign office under certain agreements signed between the two as sovereign states.

(ii) There also existed an area called British Balochistan which consisted of Baloch lands obtained by British on lease – Quetta, Nasirabad, Chagai, Mari, Bugti Agency and Pushtoon lands mostly occupied in the wake of Gandumuk agreement signed under duress, as was the case with Kalat rulers. British Balochistan was Pre-dominantly an area of Pushtoon population, British Balochistan was ruled as a part of British Indian Union though the area other wise was outside he sub-continent.

Pakistan Plan for Muslim’s of Sub-continent

Interestingly neither Baloch confederacy, nor British Balochistan were and are Geo-politically, historically or culturally i.e. in the context of civilization formed a part of sub –continent and Baloch unit starts from the west of Indus River to Kerman and from south of Helmand River to Arabian Sea. This Baloch unit is no part of sub-continent, Middle East.. Politically it may have changed hands to Persian, Kabul and Delhi Empires, but it always remained a unit and principality - predominantly a Baloch populated region from known history.

As far cultural unit or in the context of civilization, sub – continental civilization ends at river Sindh. All experts also agree that Mesopotamian civilization finishes at Kerman. Central Asian and Chinese civilization concludes at Helmand. it has been proved that Baloch unit has indigenous cultural development of it own nevertheless, one can find strong influences of Mesopotamian, central Asian and Indian civilization on Baloch unit due to various trade routes across the Baloch unit linking these civilizations. There fore, the plan of a separate Muslim state in “sub continent” does not legitimately include Baloch unit which in all respect was outside sub-continent. The unit was also not included in British Indian union, as was the case with Afghanistan with a lot of geo – political similarities to Balochistan.

As far as the claim of a referendum in British Balochistan or Kalat is concerned, it never materialized. In British Balochistan, it never took place. From stipulated date fixed for so called referendum about a week ago, all Baloch hierarchal leaders of British Balochistan Sindh and Punjab unanimously approached British authorities to allow them to determine their future with Baloch confederacy. Later on, before inception of Pakistan, Kalat State declared Independence and then both the Houses of Kalat state again unanimously rejected annexation with Pakistan. In 1948, Kalat was raided.

There had never been a federation plan for Pakistan in the real sense of the concept of federation. Present Pakistan until 1970 had a unitary status. The constitution making in seventies does not have legitimacy. The elections were held included East Pakistan. After Bangla Desh independence, for the rest of Pakistan those elections were meaningless .However, the constitution was framed under duress and Baloch majority of elected members rejected the same. All Baloch members from Balochistan except one did not sign the process. Today when we are talking of a federal solution, the question arises under what dispensation and arrangement? And if at all, some day in the future, there would be an agreement or constitution what Guarantees Baloch would receive – whether Baloch rely on Pakistan promises with all their 53 years experiences of broken pledges even those on Quran. There is another big question, today whether internationally – all nation of world included, is there any one who would rely on the words of Pakistan?

Federation means a state with multi-nationalism and consensus of parties as a whole. Now the question is, who we define Baloch identity (party as a whole), if we evolve a solution to Baloch question in the federation of Pakistan. Baloch are living in a large number in Iran, Afghanistan and in Diaspora. Moreover when they have expressed their consensus for Pakistan and not for another neighboring Muslim county .To know
Baloch and his aspirations we need to know his antagonism in the region in historical perspective.

First Baloch antagonism with Persians could be traced 6th century AD. In Sasanian era, when Anausherwan, known as the just and to Baloch, the cruel, was the ruler of the empire.

According to Firdusi, Baloch had devastated men, material and the land. The Sasanian Kings though were themselves Zoroastrians but were not Mazdaki. The king of the day was under strong pressure from fundamentalists to crush the evil of Baloch liberation resistance and of the Mazdakis the Zoroastrian sects to which Baloch belong to. Baloch were heavily raided and Firdusi explained their genocide as there remained no Baloch, nor any sign of them.

Baloch antagonism to Persian had soon expressed itself when Arabs attacked Persia. Persian and Arabs had equal fighting force and Baloch were a deciding factor. The entered into an agreement with Arabs and sided with them in the battle field of Qadisiyah. Persians were defeated. Against the Shiaism which is an _expression of Persian hate to Arab Sunnism, the Baloch remain Sunni.

Politically Persian never withdrew their claim to Baloch land even today. Shah of Iran publicly proclaimed, if Pakistan faces a Balkanization, Iran’s frontiers would be readjusted. And in great divide of Balochistan, in the wake of Great Game, drawing unilateral boundary lines; (Gold Smid, Durand and Macmohan) a big chunk of Balochistan was given to Iran and another area to Afghanistan. Similarly, in the name of administrative arrangement British had annexed Baloch areas of D.G. Khan etc. to Punjab and Jacobabad etc to Sindh besides annexing leased areas to British Indian Union. The policy of changing frontiers of Baloch land in the name of administrative constituencies for the purpose of demographic imbalance in Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan continues till today.

Before inception of Pakistan during a vote in British Balochistan, Baloch form Punjab and Sindh opted to be included with Baloch confederacy. Later on British planned for a vote in British Balochistan, which was never held formally. Very interestingly, the big player of that drama in British Balochistan, Nawab Jogezai had received a good news and confirmation from British authorities to be a member of Pakistan National Assembly before Pakistan’s creation. Similarly, Mr. M. A. Jinnah who was pleading Baloch confederacy case received a letter that Baloch are incapable to shoulder their international responsibilities in case of their sovereign status, may not be given the choice.

Apart from the present unannounced punitive action against Baloch today, four large-scale punitive actions were launched in the past, which affected entire Balochistan, small actions are numerous, and the question is why? Till today there is no answer from Pakistan. Baloch have yet to comprehend the reason. The entire world knows what role Baloch is playing in Pakistan policy and decisions making. What share the Baloch has in establishment and Army. What is their share in finances? How many of them are languishing in Pakistani prisons without trial-not to speak the credibility of judiciary in these countries. Why such a large number of Baloch are in Diaspora?

Today Pakistan and Iran are breeding grounds for fundamentalism. They are a menace of Militarization (only to suppress and terrorize the weak nations). Against these antagonism and contradictions there is a Baloch liberalism and heterogeneity, which had always been in the history a symbol of peace and adjustment, would never be adjustable to Pakistani arrangements. Moreover, as seen by Paul Kennedy and Dr. Briezinski, the world of 21st century requires implementation of U.N. decisions. Do we believe that Pakistani State is in a position to implement U.N. decisions? Both the experts believed that in 21st century only national states would be able to implement UN decisions. Baloch nation hood and heterogeneity are beyond any doubt. Peace and prosperity in the region lies in determining Baloch identity and aspirations. BNS

Ali Asghar Bungulzi's mother crying , PAKI'S QUIT BALOCHISTAN

2005-09-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

The picture of Ali Asghar Bungulzi's mother here crying for his son is heart-breaking and only a mother can understand the pain she is going through. This is
really too much. How long our mother's will suffer like this for their young Sons. How long our youths will be victims of Pakistani State Terrorism and tortures and When will these tortures and kidnapping will ends? When our young generation will have jobs, education and better future, instead of spending their life in Pakistani torture cells? I ask the the readers and our Nationalist Leaders to look into the
answers.

Senate body to take up missing Baloch sisters issue

2005-09-04T16:56:00.000-07:00

Mariana Baabar

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Human Rights Committee in its meeting on Monday will decide about taking up the case of Baloch sisters missing since June and about whom the government had denied having any knowledge of their whereabouts before the Peshawar High Court.

A notice was received in the office of Human Rights Committee of the Senate soon after The News report published on Saturday giving full facts of the case. This invoked interest of the senators about the fate of two hapless sisters missing for the past several months, The News has learnt.

The notice by a member of the Committee, Senator Farhatullah Babar of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians says, "The matter of two young women missing, apparently abducted, for the last several months is a grave matter involving the following serious issues: Firstly, it is the State’s inability to locate missing or abducted citizens and arrest and punish the culprits. Secondly, upholding human rights of the detainees. Thirdly, are there procedures and laws governing the arrest and detention of suspects?

The mover said that the press first reported on June 10, 2005 the arrest of two sisters Arifa and Habiba Baloch in Swat on suspicion of being would be suicide bombers. On August 22, 2005 during hearing in a habeas corpus petition in the Peshawar High Court the respondent government agencies reportedly denied knowledge about the whereabouts of the missing women. The court then advised the petitioners to withdraw their petition and move an amended one if they had got any clue to the whereabouts of the women, he said.

"As of today the whereabouts of these missing women aged between 18 and 20 are still not known," he further said.

Speaking to The News, Senator Farhatullah Babar said, "The issues raised by the disappearance of Baloch sisters have assumed special importance in the light of mysterious disappearance of two brother doctors in Karachi last year for eight months. The state agencies also denied any knowledge about them until they finally re-appeared and it was admitted that they were in the custody of state agencies during this period".

Senator Farhatullah Babar asked the Chairman Human Rights Committee Senator S M Zafar to admit the item for discussion in the requisitioned meeting of the Human Rights Committee on Monday.

When asked Babar confirmed that he had formally asked the Committee chairman to take up the matter in its meeting Monday. He said, "In the wake of 9/11, incidents of human rights violations by state agencies have increased and there is an urgent need to bring them under the scrutiny of parliamentary bodies and legal framework".

He said it was alarming that there was no legal framework to question the agencies in matters relating to abduction and detention of suspects and cited the case of Afzal doctors in Karachi last year who were in detention for eight months.

In 1999, in a case involving a senior journalist, Najam Sethi, the Lahore High Court had rejected the writ petition because "the court had no jurisdiction over a military institution (ISI)", proving the contention that some state agencies operated beyond the purview of normal laws of the land, he said.

He said the PPPP has all along demanded that the state agencies be brought under some legal framework and made accountable.

Sometime back on October 20, 2003 a question was put to the defence minister in the Senate "whether there was any law or statue, and if so to state the law, under which the ISI was authorised to conduct raids and detain and interrogate suspects"? The question was however ‘killed’ in the chamber of the minister and not allowed to be raised in the House on the ground that "the subject matter of this question is of secret and sensitive nature as it asks for information on a matter prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country". The question is therefore "inadmissible under rule 47(xviii) (d) and (xxi) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 1988," the Senate Secretariat said in a letter to the mover.

Subsequently, a resolution was moved in the Senate that said: "This House calls upon the government to enact suitable legislation to regulate the functioning of intelligence agencies and the ISI particularly with respect to issues relating to raids, detention and arrest of suspects in the country".

The resolution was also killed in the chamber and not brought up on the floor of the Upper House because the subject matter of this resolution "was of secret and sensitive nature" and was declared inadmissible under rule 121(4) (f) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 1988.

"It is a measure of sustainable democracy under General Musharraf that the Parliament is not even being given copy of a law let alone allowed to make laws," he said commenting on the decisions to declare the question and resolutions inadmissible.

Babar said the question of disappearance of Baloch women was important from several perspectives. If the women had disappeared on their own or were abducted by non-state actors it reflected poorly on the state’s ability to investigate and recover them. If they were in the custody of agencies it would be a violation of Article 10 sub-section 4 of the Constitution.

"Under this provision of the constitution no person even if detained under any law of preventive detention is to be kept under detention for more than three months unless the appropriate Review Board has after affording him an opportunity of being heard in person, reviewed his case and reported before the expiration of the said period, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause of such detention," he added.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/

Three Mazari tribesmen shot dead

By our correspondent

JACOBABAD: Three Mazari tribesmen were killed in an attack near Sui on Saturday. Three Mazari tribesmen were going to Sui from Kashmore when they reached near Deeni Khat eight unknown armed men intercepted their car and opened indiscriminate fire, killing Haroon Mazari, Ahmed Gul Mazari and Payaro Khan Mazari on the spot. Following the killing, hundreds of Mazari tribesmen blocked the main
Indus Highway
by putting bodies on the road, causing suspension of traffic for four hours Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully. No case was registered till the filing of this report.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/

Delhi vows to push on with Iranian gas pipeline

TEHRAN: Energy-hungry India said on Saturday it would push on with plans to build a $7 billion gas pipeline from Iran, undaunted by the increasing threat of United Nations sanctions against Tehran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency on Friday said questions remained about Tehran’s atomic activities and confirmed Iran had resumed its nuclear fuel work, setting the scene for a possible referral to the UN Security Council.

When asked what effect such political pressures could have on the pipeline project, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters: "We have an interest in taking it forward, India needs gas."

Sarna was speaking during a visit by Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh to Tehran. India has to tread a tightrope in pipeline talks, trying to satisfy it ravenous appetite for hydrocarbons while not upsetting Iran’s arch-foe Washington.

India has expressed hope Pakistan, Iran and it could hold a joint meeting to straighten out terms of the deal before the end of the year. Sarna said no venue had been chosen.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the new government, which took over last month, was as committed to the pipeline project as its reformist predecessor.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/

UAE offers to invest in gas pipeline project

Muhammad Saleh Zaafir

ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered to invest in any of the gas pipeline projects from Iran or Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India.

Trans-Asia of UAE is prepared to come forward for building the pipeline that would cost US $ 4.2 billion. The interest has been conveyed to the authorities concerned here.

Ali Muhammad Al-Shamsi, UAE ambassador while talking to The News exclusively in his diplomatic enclave office here Saturday said that UAE has taken a deliberate decision to make investment in Pakistan in a big way in the backdrop of the longstanding brotherly ties between the two countries. Presently, Pakistan is the biggest destination for UAE foreign investment.

The envoy said his country understands that investment in Pakistan is secure and the country has no problem with regard to the stability and security. "My country has resolute faith in the vision of Pakistan’s leadership that is determined to proceed ahead on the path of progress and prosperity," he said.

The ambassador who has just returned from Abu Dhabi after having consultations with his government, said that UAE has invested more than US $ 9.5 billion in Pakistan during the last four years and its investment will reach US $ 15 billion by 2007. Major investment has been made in real estate including housing projects, construction of shopping malls and telecommunications. The amount in real estate investment has surpassed US $ 4 billion and in telecommunications sector US $ 3 billion. The ambassador mentioned setting up of Lahore Sports City with special reference and said the Federal Government and Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Illahi have provided admirable assistance in the development projects.

The existing boost in the investment came in March 2004 when Sheikh Hamadan bin Zahid Al-Nahyan, deputy prime minister of UAE visited Pakistan. He is a very keen friend of this country, the ambassador added. He said UAE investors are also waiting to come in a big way to Pakistan for investment in the oil and gas sector.

To a question, Ali Muhammad Al-Shamsi said the most sophisticated two German power plants that were installed in Abu Dhabi would be shifted to Karachi soon. UAE government has gifted to Pakistan the 300 Megawatt capacity plants as a gesture of goodwill and brotherly sentiments.

The governments of Pakistan, the UAE and Wapda have already entered into an agreement for shifting of the plants to Pakistan. The plants would be dismantled first and then reinstalled in Pakistan. Wapda experts are inspecting the plants so that technical expertise for the shifting could be made available, the ambassador said.

To yet another query, Al-Shamsi said his government would provide complete assistance to Trans-Asia for achieving the purpose of investment in the field of oil and gas since the government believes that such strategic projects could greatly help establish stability and harmony in the region.

The proposed gas pipelines from Iran and Turkmenistan would be having the potential to improve the political atmosphere of the area, he asserted.

To a question about Pakistan-Israel contact, the envoy said that his government has always been kept on board by Pakistan in the process of consultations regarding important developments. "It did not come to us as a surprise".

The decision taken by Pakistan is well within the purview of its sovereign rights. Every nation has the right to serve and safeguard its national interests in the best possible manner. The interaction should help the cause of Palestinians and Muslims in realisation of their demands, he viewed.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/

Pipeline blast

LAHORE: A gas pipeline near Kashmore, Sindh blew up on Saturday night, suspending gas supply to Kashmore, Guddu city and some areas of Rahim Yar Khan, the Geo news channel reported. daily times monitor

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.
asp?page=story_4-9-2005_pg1_4

What else is left with us than to wage diplomatic and military battle

2005-09-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

Sunaina Baloch, Phd
Zurich
Contact : sunainabaloch@hushmail.com

The Baloch leadership made it clear to Pak government that balochistan's resources are not "national assets" but belongs to balochistans , Nawab Akbar Bhugti in his recent interview stated "Suie gas is Balochistans produce not a national asset" .

Referring to the development projects ,Senator Sanaullah Baloch secretary information of Balochistan National Party said in an interview to "The News" that "the ownership of the development projects in their area must rest with Baloch. While we are ready to share the benefits of these development projects with others, we do not tolerate someone taking away everything from us and then giving something to us as in charity. The dream of development of Balochistan can only be realized by Baloch themselves. The development of Balochistan should not be dictated by changes in international situation. "

The main irritant to balochis is the presence of large military apparatus in their province and harassment of suspected nationalist activists and leaders . Pakistan has set up 584 check posts , about 33,000 Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel along with 12,000 coast-guards deployed . Analysts say aggressive military operations by Pakistan will only lead to international outcry and more militancy by nationalist forces , the only way out for Pakistan is to give Balochis their share of pie from the revenues of Oil and gas and dialogue

Gwadar occupies strategic waterways that connect energy-rich Central Asia with the rest of the world. Khuzdar, Kohlu, and Dera Bugti sit on the largest chunk of Pakistan’s 24 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas reserves. Dera Bugti is Pakistan’s energy capital, the three gasfields – Sui, Uch, and Pir Koh – together account for almost half of the nation’s total annual production of 0.875 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, which is valued at $3 billion. All four areas are divided among as many major tribes: Gichkis (Gwadar), Mengals (Khuzdar), Marris (Kohlu), and Bugtis (Dera Bugti). They are all united in their resistance to what they claim is colonization of their land and its resources.

Baloch nationalists are liberal and follow secular political philosophy , "So to defeat this philosophy of ours, intelligence agencies with funding from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other countries are setting up madrassas in Balochistan. A particular group which enjoys special privileges is being inducted in the political structure of Balochistan. They are semi-literate, religious extremists. (But) they are a gathering of people without any political acumen." said Senator Sanaullah Baloch

What else is left with balochis than voicing and responding with all our means available , against oppresive punjabis sucking our blood , culture and resources to quench their insatiable satanic appetite eversince a mythical pakistan was formed . Mr.Mengal has rightly pointed out sometime back that balochis will never hesitate to take help from any satanic powers /countries in the world , if pakistan continues it's diabolic acts in balochistan . The reporter questioned whether the power/country could be India , pat came the answer from Mr.Mengal ("Bharat mei insan rehte hi, bharat insanon ke mulk hi") "Humans live in India, India is a land of Human beings" . This is a shocking snub to the pakistani reporter , reminding how cruel pakistani establishment is . I WILL COVER MY DISCUSSIONS WITH HINDUS LATER

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, doing a fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson Centre, said according to a recent survey taken in Balochistan, 65 percent of those polled favoured “armed struggle” for the achievement of their objectives .

Now Baluch nationalists are now far better armed both diplomatically and militarily. For the past two years, Balochis have been dominating the national news. They have rapidly won the masses and classes to their cause of “Justice for Baluchistan”. Their diplomatic and military successes at home have caught the world’s attention as well.

Balochis must bare in mind the strengths and weakness , and strive constantly to convert weakness into strengths . Demography is not in favour , but Geography is. Punjabi forces can't dare to venture into baloch areas . One of the rules of the game is "rule the streets" , never give upper hand to enemy in the streets .In South Waziristan alone, the Punjabi forces has lost almost one soldier for every militant it has killed. To be exact, 251 officers and men died in South Waziristan as compared to 306 Baluchs. REMEMBER THIS QUOTE : "Right lies in might"

Dr.Wahid Baloch , head of BSO-NA Baloch Society of North America , told to IntelliBriefs reporter that "we welcome all kind of help and support from our friends, including our Hindu and Jewish friends, to combat the menace of Pakistani Terrorism against our oppressed people." . President of Baloch Unity http://BalochUnity.org , Dr.Jumma Khan Ramkhani Marri said , "I like Hindu Unity and i'm a strong supporter of all nationalist forces in India" , he is in touch with many hindu leaders and is conducting backdoor diplomacy for forging relationships with hindu organizations . What more , we have to finalize the ties and start engaging in dialog . This reporter who mailed me this piece was from India who is a muslim , who said I'm indian first and then muslim. I was shocked to listen to this statement , beacuse my impression about Indian muslims was something contrary.

Forging relations with our sympathizers and galvanizing their ,support coupled with shrewd Public relations to educate the public in West, Arab and Indians in particular should be paramount in our action items. Don’t forget that all neighboring countries, stretching from south to central to western Asia, are potential allies of the Bloch freedom struggle . Realise the potential and work for greater balochistan.

Interview : Senator Sanaullah Baloch

2005-08-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

Right to self-rule

Sana Baloch

(Note: Senator Sanaullah Baloch is secretary information of Balochistan National Party. Mr. Baloch recently gave an interview to The News. It is an interesting reading. We are pasting the excerpts from the interview with thanks from the News. Interview was made by Raza Khan Muhammadzai)

What is the real problem in Balochistan?

Sana Baloch: The real problem in Balochistan is (a lack of) province's recognition as a federating unit of Pakistan. Balochistan became part of Pakistan as a result of agreements reached on 17th and 27th of March, 1948. In these agreements, Balochistan was ensured by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the (federal) government that if the province became a part of Pakistan, its interests would be given priority. The province was promised a special status within Pakistan. These things are clearly mentioned in a speech that Jinnah made on 4th October, 1947. Otherwise, the upper and lower houses of that time Baloch parliament had virtually refused to join Pakistan. Today the (federal) government says that Sardars are rogues but the agreements that we are talking of were not signed by any middle class Baloch man or political activist. The referendum of the Shahi Jirga of Quetta which had to take place (to decide on the issue) comprised of Sardars and Nawabs.

In the present scenario, Balochistan problems have not been understood, realized or addressed. Just 20 days after Balochistan accession to Pakistan on 27th March, 1948, first military operation was launched in the province on 15th April, 1948. Then came one-unit, making Baloch to demand for the special status they were promised. These demands resulted in the second military operation that started on 6th October, 1958. Many leaders (of the movement for special status) were hanged and scores sent to prison. In 1969, another very aggressive military operation was launched in the Marri area. The fourth military operation in 1973 had no justification because the province was then being run by a democratic coalition government of Sardar Attaullah Mengal, National Awami Party (NAP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI). This government in its short nine month tenure established first university, first medical college, and first board of intermediate and secondary education in Balochistan. All this development was not liked by Iran, (Zulfikar Ali) Bhutto and the United States (because of increasing Soviet influence in neighboring Afghanistan where they wanted to support religious elements as a counter measure). Baloch basically belong to a liberal political culture and there is very little religious extremism among them. So, (after failing to secure Baloch support for the Afghan affairs) the democratic government of Baloch was dissolved and a massive military operation was launched in the province in which 5,000 Baloch were martyred and 3,500 military and paramilitary troops were killed. The operation continued till 1977.

So, this is the real issue. We Baloch in the 21st century demand our just constitutional and legal political rights. For instance, we say that if oil and gas is extracted from the land of our ancestors then we have the right over the revenue it generates. If God has gifted a coastline to Balochistan, then the control of Baloch over it should be recognized. We must have the right to plan (for the promotion of) our culture, language, education and for our identity and (we must have the right) to spend money on these plans. Then we should be allowed to rely on ourselves as far as leadership, politics and planning are concerned.

(But in response to all these demands), the fifth military operation has been launched in Balochistan since July 2004. As part of this operation, 584 check posts have been established and about 33,000 Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel along with 12,000 coast-guards deployed (in the province). Many brigades of army have also been deployed and intelligence network has expended.

Instead of resolving (our) small and legitimate problems, the (federal) government has taken an aggressive attitude. This is the main reason for the mistrust between Balochistan and the federation. In case, attempts are made to maintain status quo (on these problems), the situation will further aggravate.

Do you mean that there is a fully-fledge military operation going on in Balochistan?

Sana Baloch: In fact, military operation has never ended in Balochistan. Since 1977 deployment of military and paramilitary forces has continued. Unfortunately, these forces are working on the same colonial structure which is a legacy of the British Raj. Surprisingly, of the 33,000 FC men (deployed in Balochistan) only 300 belong to the province. Pakistan's 70 per cent coastline falls in Balochistan but only 98 Baloch are part of the 12,000 coast-guards deployed in the province. Even in the British period, exploitation of Balochistan was not so structural as it is now. When we demanded that the FC should comprise of Baloch, we are being bombarded.

In Pakistan, the able leadership of Balochistan as well as other small provinces has never been allowed to govern. They have been treated as suspect characters.

How different is the current situation in Balochistan from the past?

Sana Baloch: As far as (Balochistan) liberal political tradition is concerned, even today nationalist political parties work under a liberal and secular political philosophy. Our's is a democratic and political course which is unacceptable for the undemocratic posture of Islamabad. So to defeat this philosophy of ours, intelligence agencies with funding from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other countries are setting up madrassas in Balochistan. A particular group which enjoys special privileges is being inducted in the political structure of Balochistan. They are semi-literate, religious extremists. (But) they are a gathering of people without any political acumen.

Do you mean that the differences between Baloch nationalists and Islamabad are also philosophical?

Sana Baloch: The issue of Balochistan is simultaneously political, psychological, cultural and geographical. It is either the good luck or the bad luck of Balochistan that its geographical location is of extreme strategic and economic importance.

People of Balochistan are culturally different from other nations of South Asia. Our attitude and traditions are different from the mainstream sub-continental traditions. Above all, people in Islamabad do not believe in the political norms in which we believe. So overall the differences in thinking between them and us have given rise to this tussle. They are unable to understand us and we cannot follow them. They are trying to paint us in their color while we are striving to protect our politics and traditions through the mechanism of self-defense.

As a Baloch, how do you view Pakistan's future?

Sana Baloch: USSR (Union of Socialist Soviet Republics) used to call itself a federation but due to its centralized political structure, it dismembered. Yugoslavia is another recent example. In Indonesia, East Timor could not be kept within the federation. In Iraq, the success that the Kurds had suggests the same trend.

If Pakistan, despite all these instances, does not adopt a loose federal structure and real decentralization of power, its political future will not appear to be very bright. If a country wants to survive in the modern world, then it will have to keep modern political experiences in view. In Pakistan, there are only five major nationalities while there are states excellently working as loose federations even though they contain 35-36 nationalities.

What is the economic future of Balochistan?

Sana Baloch: It has the most prosperous economic future in the region. Balochistan has two of the five largest reserves of gold/copper in the world. The province has 19 billion barrels of off-shore oil and six trillion cubic feet off-shore gas. From our on-shore deposits of gas in the province, Pakistan has been benefiting since 1953. There are a lot of other minerals and metals (in the province). Unfortunately, 2000 people have died due to drought in the area where gold and copper deposits lie. In Balochistan.

What's your view on the allegation that the US is behind nationalist activities in Balochistan?

Sana baloch: In a country which is a victim of internal political instability, where institutions do not function, where there is no room for democracy, where there is no political space for either political or religious minorities, there is no need for the US or some other outsider to interfere. So, I do not think that some foreign power is involved in Balochistan. The deprivations in Balochistan are so profound and massive that people don't need outsiders to know about them. When our children die in front of us, our young people commit suicides due to unemployment and our women have to fetch water from 50 miles afar, then it gives rise to reaction, militancy, hate, violence and mistrust. All responsibility for this situation lies with the rulers of Islamabad. It is due to their wrong policies and d above all due to their strategic intentions that Balochistan is seething in anger. Until 1992, Balochistan was intentionally kept backward due to 'national' strategic ends conceived by the strategic elites of Pakistan. They did not want Balochistan to become economically attractive place. if they have opened up Balochistan a bit since 1992, it is again for their own exploitation. (What they are doing in the province) is not development, its exploitation. Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) is doing exactly what East India Company did.

You have talked about Iranian involvement in Balochistan in 1970s. What is Tehran's role in the present crisis?

Sana Baloch: On one side we have an extremist Shia state which suppress Baloch and on the other there is Islamabad which also suppress them. Both have their own interests which they want to achieve from Balochistan. I may add that if Tehran and Islamabad stick to their policies regarding Balochistan, they will have to face the consequences. Baloch nation has become used to starvation and hunger; it has faced poverty and seen military operations. The dream of pipelines, economic development, prosperity and stability will prove a pipe dream for both Tehran and Islamabad without resolving the Baloch issue. We are annoyed by Islamabad's attitude but we are not happy with the Iranian behavior as well.

Do you believe that the dream of a Baloch state can be realized in the existing international situation?

Sana Baloch: Baloch do not want to establish a big separate state. But at least they can expect from both the countries to give Baloch children the right to speak and write their own language. Baloch should be free in cultural affairs and in planning for development. Above all, the ownership of the development projects in their area must rest with Baloch. While we are ready to share the benefits of these development projects with others, we do not tolerate someone taking away everything from us and then giving something to us as in charity. The dream of development of Balochistan can only be realized by Baloch themselves. The development of Balochistan should not be dictated by changes in international situation. Baloch have the capacity to develop economically by leaps and bounds provided they get a little bit of self-rule.

Do you think that the constitutional package being proposed by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League can rectify the situation?

Sana baloch: Subjects on the Constitution's concurrent list are of social nature. They do not concern geo-political, economic and political questions. Even if Balochistan is given the jurisdiction over subjects in the concurrent list, Islamabad will still remain the centre of power. To make Pakistan a workable federation, a new equitable social contract is urgently required among all the nationalities living in the country. Most importantly, there should be a guarantee against any future military coups. If they happen nevertheless, the nationalities should have the right to decide their destiny themselves.

A Letter to President George W. Bush

2005-08-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

August 25th, 2005

Dear Mr. President,

On the behalf of Baloch Society of North America (BSO-NA), I would like to bring your attention to the deteriorating condition of torture Victim, Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch, Whose life is in great danger in Pakistani custody, in Quetta, Balochistan. According to the reports from Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)and Amnesty International, his half of the body is paralyzed due to torture, electric shocks, and degrading inhuman treatment by Pakistani authorities, and he is unable to speak or recognize his family members or friends, and needs urgent medical treatment to save his life.

Dr. Allah Nazar was picked up along with his seven friends on March 25th, 2005 after they had joined a peaceful protest against the Pakistani Military Operation, on March 17th, 2005, in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, in which 70 Baloch people died and more than 200 were injured, including children and women.

Pakistan’s crime against our people in Balochistan are not new. Balochistan has been a victim of Pakistani terrorism since its occupation in 1947, by Pakistani Army. Thousand people have died and many are behind bars and are being tortured, including Dr. Allah Nazar, Goher Baloch, Akhtar Nadeem, Ali Asgher Bangulzai, Jan Mohammad Marri, Gohram, Saleh Baloch and many others.

Despite the concerns and frequent request from Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Amnesty International and other human right groups, protest and huger strikes in all over Balochistan, demanding the release of Dr. Allah Nazar and his friends, Pakistani authorities continue its human right violations in Balochistan and have arrogantly shut their eyes and closed their ears and are in constant refusal to let Dr. Allah Nazar and his friends go or have access to urgent medical treatment that they desperately needs.

Dear Mr. President,

As you said in your famous historic speech at the State of Union on Jan 2005,

"The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world. All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know that the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you," President Bush, Jan 20th, 2005

The Baloch people are asking," How long Baloch people have to suffer more? How long more we have to be tortured in the hands of Pakistani military dictators? When the human right violations against Baloch people will end? When will the we have our freedom back and when the will the Pakistani tyranny against our people will end?"

Dear Mr. President,

Your urgent attention and immediate intervention can save a life and will be highly appreciated by the people of Balochistan and the Baloch diaspora of allover the world. Please use your influence to ask the Pakistani authorities to let Dr. Allah Nazar go and to let him have access to medical treatment without any delay, which he needs desperately, to save his life. We highly appreciate your kind attention and intervention in this matter. Thank you Mr. President.

Sincerely,

Dr. Wahid Baloch,

President of Baloch Society of North America (BSO-NA), USA.

Realted links:

1) Amnesty International :
http://web.amnesty.org/library/
Index/ENGASA330222005
http://web.amnesty.org/library/index
/ENGASA330142005?open&of=ENG-PAK

http://web.amnesty.org/library/index
/ENGASA330062005?open&of=ENG-PAK

2)HRCP :
http://www.dawn.com/2005/08/16/nat25.htm

3) BSONA : http://www.bso-na.org/

4) Balochistan: http://www.answers.com/
Topics/Balochistan

5) Military Action : http://www.satribune.com/
archives/200503/P1_butt3.htm

6) Hunger Strike: http://www.dawn.net/
2005/08/12/nat7.htm

India should extend moral and diplomatic support to balochis

2005-08-26T13:37:00.000-07:00

-By Sunaina Baloch , Phd
Zurich
email : sunainabaloch@hushmail.com

Balochistan was in world headline news, a couple of months ago occupying two major stories , one the rape of Dr.Shazia Khalid and subsequent upraise of Balochi nationalists , another story is attack of Sui gas installation by BLA militant . Though the later is very common in balochistan , this time balochi fighters were successful to make Pakistani economy bleed for weeks , world saw pictures of hotels in Sindh province cooking food with wood and enormous loss to national exchequer. The government of Pakistan incurred losses of 35 million rupees (about 500,000 dollars) per day in revenue and royalty due to the eight-day suspension of the gas supplies. One has to notice that after rape of Dr.Shazia Khalid , attacks on Sui gas plant increased and came to a halt after Akbar Bugthi’s house was bombed resulting in death of 32 hindus in hindu mohalla .

Sardar Mengal stated to a reporter , on record , while Pakistani forces were bombing baloch areas , that if things continue in the same way, "we will take support from any satanic country in the world " and reporter question whether that power could be India , pat came the answer from Mengal "Bharat mei Insan rahthe hi , Bharat Insano ka mulk hi" (Humans live in india, India is a land of Humans").

Predatory Pakistani Punjabi armed forces is one of the most crudest military in the world is an understatement .

Indians know more about these sexual predators in Military uniform, with a excellent track record of butchery and rape of Bengalis in 1971 . Over 100,000 Bangladeshi women were raped , 90,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to India , bowing their head with shame( i doubt) . Indians have repatriated all of them without any harm ,inspite of such atrocities . Indians could have executed all of them without mercy , but they didn't , not because of Geneva conventions , which is plain non sense . The answer was given to me by a retired army officer " it is because of Hindu ethos , respect for life and common ancestry which Indians value more than perverted Pakistanis" . " Was anybody punished for the rapes in Dhaka? Sheikh Mujib told me that over 100,000 women were raped. Did you catch anybody and put him in jail?" questioned Nawab Akbar Bhugti in an interview recently given to Daily Times. However, in case of Indian POW's , Pakistan still hold many of them in their jails, treat them like animals .

Cruel torture of BSO leader Dr. Allah Nazar and paralysing whole body is another example barbarism of pakistani punjabis . 4 year old girl, asking the world community to help and recover her dad, who was kidnapped 4 years ago by Pakistani agencies and is still in Pakistani custody . " I have not seen my father since I was born, because soon after I was born, my dad was kidnapped by Pakistani agencies and now I am 4 years old and they don’t let me to see my Papa and I don’t know if he is alive or dead? I miss my Papa a so much and I want to see him now." Said the 4 year girl Mah Gul Baloch. These have become common in Balochistan .

All that balochis fear is a 1971 situation , which is emerging in balochistan , with mullah-Military in uniform ,fired with Saudi Wahabi ideology ,money and sophisticated US arms , a poisonous recipe for unleashing 1971 bestiality on balochis .India should not delay in coming to our succor to protect and safeguard baloch , if the situation on the ground culminate to 1971 .

On people to people front , it is beneficial and important to form an alliance of India-baloch friendship forum and start a dialog , without wasting time . Sindhi community in pakistan and abroad has been successful in building strong ties with sindhi counterpart in India. Unfortunately ,Balochis are handicapped , there are not many balochis in India to help them .

Historians would probably cry by looking at the situation in South Asia , who share common ancestry , animosity running deep in the blood , each taking sides based on religion , culture . India is a big brother in south Asia and many have recognized her as emerging world power .Balochis trust India and Indians only, for balochis it's a Hobson choice, in this context , Indians must recognize that it is in the interest of India and balochis to extend moral and diplomatic support for balochi cause .

URGENT APPEAL : Contribute to “Dr. Allah Nazar Fund”

2005-08-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

Write to your representatives in USA

Write to your European Parliament members

“Dr. Allah Nazar Fund”

Aug 24, 2005

Dear Friends,

On the behalf of BSO-NA, I’m going to create and establish a fund In the name of our Hero Dr. Allah Nazar, as “Dr. Allah Nazar Fund”. The monies donated and collected in this fund will solely be used for his treatment rehabilitation and full recovery, to save his life. The following Friends will volunteer to collect the donations from their respective areas and eventually all the monies will be pooled to use for his treatment. Please donate generously as much as you can and ask your friends and the well off brothers to spare some for this great cause, to save Dr. Allah Nazar's life before it is too late. I hope every body will participate in this important humanitarian cause. If anybody wants to volunteer please let me know and I will add his or her names in the list. Thank you all for your support. Again, lets not forget about Goher Jaan Baloch, Akhtar Nadeem Baloch, Jan Mohammad Marri , Ali Asghar Baloch (Who's Kids are on Hunger Strike for many days in front of Quetta press Club, for the release of their Dad) and many other detainees, who are still behind bars and are being tortured in Pakistani Jails. We will continue our struggle for their release. Thank you and best regards. Dr. Wahid Baloch, BSO-NA, USA.
http://www.bso-na.org/

Please Contact following Volunteers to Donate for "Dr. Allah Nazar Fund".

In Balochistan:
1. Senator Sana Baloch balochbnp@yahoo.com
2. Dr_Imdad Baloch imdadbalochbso@yahoo.com
3. Shahid Baloch bizenjoufoundation@yahoo.com
4.Zafar Bashir bachkand@yahoo.com
In Gulf States:
1. Waja Ameeri Jaan Baloch, ameerism@yahoo.co.uk
2. Iqbal Wali iqbalwali@yahoo.com
3.Nissar hoath nhoath@gulfnews.com
4.juma'h khan baloch balochjk@yahoo.com,
In Sweden:
1. Waja Masoud Jaan Baloch, radiobalochi@hotmail.com
2.Nasser Boladai nboladai@yahoo.se
In London:
1. Samad Baloch samadbaloch@haotmail.com
2. Dr. Naseer dashti Dashtinaseerdashti@yahoo.com
3. Walid Garboni wgarboni@yahoo.co.uk
4. Shabir Baloch" asmaaan208@yahoo.co.uk
In Moscow:
1. Dr.jumma Marri drmarri@hotmail.com
In Switzerland:
1. Shaukat Baloch blochch@yahoo.com
2. Ms. Sunaina Baloch, PhD sunaniabaloch@hushmail.com

In USA
1. Dr. Malek Towghi drmalektowghi@yahoo.com
2. Dr. Wahid Baloch dr_Wahid_Baloch@yahoo.com
3. Nabi Baloch nboladai@yahoo.com
4. Rashid Baloch arbaloch@hotmail.com
5. Kamber Baloch kamberbaloch@yahoo.com
6. Lal Gehi lalhgehi@yahoo.com
In Canada
1.Aziz Baloch makkuran@yahoo.ca
2. Sheh Mureed sahemureed@yahoo.ca
3. Nazir Ahmed Baloch Canada ndarwesh@hotmail.com

RE: Urgent Appeal to save Allah Nazar's Life.

Dear Friends,

Dr. Allah Nazar's life is most important than anything else right now and before it is too late, we must do Some thing about it to save his life. I ask all our Baloch friends in Balochistan to do whatever is Possible to get him out of Jail and then someone Please bring him to me in United States for full Treatment and recovery. I'll bear all the expenses of his treatment including the plane tickets, logging and boarding. If anybody wants to help me out in this regard, they are most welcome to do so and it will be greatly appreciated. They can donate to " Dr. Allah Nazar’s Fund". by contacting me (in North America), Dr. Imdad Baloch (In Pakistan), Br. Ameeri (in Gulf States), And Br. Shabir or Garboni or Br. Samad Baloch (in Uk, Europe). We must act now before it is too late. Please !!!. Thank you. Shome kaster, Dr. Wahid Baloch, BSO-NA, USA.

Dr Allah Nazar body paralyzed , we demand his release

2005-08-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

Fate of Baloch nationalist leader Dr Allah Nazar hanging in suspense

The fate of Baloch nationalist leader Dr Allah Nazar hanging in suspense , as whether he is completely paralysed or given proper treatment by the pakistani authorities .His followers in Pakistan and abroad are eager to know about his condition . Intellibriefs have learnt that Dr Allah Nazar has been admitted in jail ward in Quetta ,but administration is not allowing anyone to to meet him as per BSO sources . He is not being given proper treatment , "doctors told that if he is not given proper treatment in coming 2 or 3 days, thing can happen as most of his body has been paralyzed." BSO said in its statement.

Many baloch and sindhi members are frustrated about the lack of strong protest from organizations abroad , " I want to ask, what are our Sindhis and Balochs doing in London and Washington? They represent many organisations in the name of Sindh and Balochistan, they must organise protests and make representation to Parliamentarians in UK and Congressmen in Washington. " questioned Mr.Taj Bugti . " Not just the life of Dr Allah Nazar's and other Balochs who are being tortured. So, in the name of humanity we appeal to the world to save humanity in Balochistan from certain death. " said Mr.Taj Bugti .

BSO urged it's Baloch fraternity abroad to write appeals to amnesty international, presidents of democratic countries and protest in the countries they are living and educate the people and leaders about the plight of balochis in in Balochistan .
Meanwhile , BSO-NA http://www.bso-na.org/ leader Dr.Wahid Baloch wanted to get Dr Allah Nazar out of pakistan for treatment and he wish to bear the expenses " do whatever is possible to get him out of Jail and then someone please bring him to me in United States for full treatment and recovery. I'll bear all the expenses of his treatment including the plane tickets, logging and boarding. If anybody wants to help me out in this regard, they are most welcome to do so and it will be greatly appreciated." . He wish to form a " Dr. Allah Nazar's Fund" and urged members to contact him . "We must act now before it is too late" , said Dr.Wahid Baloch

We have learnt that Sindhi and Baloch organizations WSI, WSC, SANA,BSO-NA are planning to jointly approach MPs, senators and Congressmen, as well as Amnesty International and other human rights organizations. "The tyrants, murderers and rapists should not be allowed to continue their terror and despotism with impunity, arrogance and treachery. The oppressed must rise against oppressors, the good must rise against evil" said a member .

Rocket attack rocks Kohlu on CM’s visit

2005-08-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Rocket attack rocks Kohlu on CM’s visit

By Azizullah Khan

QUETTA: Four rockets were fired in Kohlu district on Monday, coinciding with the arrival of Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf.

FC troops retaliated by firing rockets at the assailants in Kohlu, some 350 kilometres east of Quetta. A Frontier Corp (FC) spokesman underplayed the attack as a ‘routine matter’, and dismissed claims they were related to the chief minister’s visit. Unconfirmed reports alleged that the rockets landed near the helipad where the chief minister’s helicopter was scheduled to land.

Meanwhile, a man, calling himself Azad Baloch, claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of the Balochistan Liberation Army and the Baloch People’s Liberation Front

Azad Baloch said that the rockets had been fired specifically in view of the chief minister’s visit. Meanwhile in separate incidents, three rockets were fired and two bombs exploded in Kohlu early Monday morning. The bombs went off near a doctor’s clinic. Local government elections are scheduled to be held in Kohlu on August 25. Baloch nationalist forces accuse the chief minister of conducting the election campaign for Pakistan Muslim League (PML) candidates in violation of Election Commission regulations. Observers believe that the chief minister’s visit to Kohlu was aimed for the PML-backed candidates’ election campaign.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/

3 rockets fired at FC post near Loralai

LORALAI: At least three rockets were fired at a Frontier Corps (FC) check post near the Lora Lai-Bar Khan area on Monday.

Unidentified assailants fired at least three 107 mm rockets of foreign make at the FC check post in Hostry, but missed the target.

The assailants fled the scene when the FC responded with fire. No loss of life was reported.

The local administration has initiated an investigation. online

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_23-8-2005_pg7_4

Jam Yusuf unhurt in attack on FC camp

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yusuf escaped unhurt after seven rockets were fired at the camp of Frontier Constabulary (FC) near Kohlu, which he was visiting on Monday.

Earlier, two homemade bombs exploded in the town and in a separate attack four rockets were fired at a paramilitary post but no one was hurt, officials said. A local police officer Muhammad Riaz said, "Seven rockets were fired on the camp when the chief minister was in the building for a briefing on law and order situation ahead of Thursday’s municipal elections. The rockets fell 400 metres away from the camp."

Spokesman for the FC Lt-Col Rizwan Malik said the troops retaliated and fired 14 rockets towards the mountains overlooking the camp. "Rocket attacks on our camp are routine and the incident was unrelated to the chief minister’s visit," he added.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack and its spokesman, Azad Baloch, making phone calls to local newspapers said, "Our target was the provincial chief minister."

Earlier, a bomb explosion did slight damage to a clinic and shattered windows at several shops in the main bazaar in Kohlu, local police officer Mohammed Khan said. About three hours later, a second bomb went off in a garbage bin in the same street, shattering shop windows but injuring no one, Khan said.

Assailants also fired four rockets at the FC post on the outskirts of the town, but they missed the target and landed in a field, Khan said. The troops are in the area to keep the peace and guard government installations. Local tribesmen often resent the force’s presence in their area. Khan said four local Marri tribesmen have been arrested in a probe into Monday’s bomb explosion. Balochistan has been the scene of small-scale bombings and rocket attacks in recent years. Authorities blame local tribesmen for the violence.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

Rockets rock Kohlu after arrival of CM

By Saleem Shahid

QUETTA, Aug 22: The township of Kohlu came under a rocket attack on Monday soon after the arrival there of Chief Minister Jam Yousuf. Sources said that the chief minister visited he area to review arrangements for the second phase of the local body elections.

The sources said that four rockets were fired at around 3.30pm from Jandran mountains in the north of the township about 10 minutes after the arrival of the chief minister by a helicopter. Mr Yousuf was attending a briefing on security arrangements when the rockets exploded.

“No rocket hit the Kohlu township,” a senior police officer told Dawn on telephone from Kohlu and said that rocket attacks had become a routine matter in the remote district headquarters.

He said that the rockets landed in open places without causing any damage to life or property.

FC personnel deployed at checkpoints in the area opened fire on positions of the assailants who, he said, escaped.

Security arrangements were beefed up and additional personnel of the Frontier Corps and other law-enforcement agencies were deployed in and around the township.

Earlier in the morning, two bomb explosions were reported from township. The first damaged windowpanes of a clinic and some nearby structures. The other explosion, near a mosque, did not cause any damage or casualty.

In another incident, three rockets fired at an FC checkpoint landed in open places.

Release BSO members or face the music

2005-08-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release

Date: 21st August 2005

BFM is concerned about the safety and security of BSO leaders and members in the wake of recent torture of senior BSO leaders by Pakistani establishment . We demand Pakistani authorities to members concerted

Dr Allah Nazar and his two other members need urgent medical treatment , we demand authorities to release him for treatment abroad , as we no longer trust Pakistani hospitals due to threat to his life from some sections of authorities as we have learned from our well wishers .

We request international community to take cognizant to these developments in Pakistan where ethnic minority members and leaders are frequently harassed and tortured . We balochis have no choice than to resist by all means if such gory incidents continue , and ignore basic Human rights are violated . The safety and security of baloch leaders is Pakistans responsibility , in the event of any untoward events happen during this process we will respond accordingly .

Beware baloch people are losing patience and will no longer accept these barbarism of Punjab . We demand Pakistan to relese BSO members or face the resistance .

For BFM

Vice President
Ms.Sunaina Baloch , Phd

Contact:
sunaniabaloch@yahoo.com
Zurich

Concern over detention of BSO activists

2005-08-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

16.08.2005

LAHORE, Aug 15: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) says the reports regarding the
health and welfare of three members of the Baloch Students Organization (BSO) currently being detained
by law enforcement agencies are deeply worrying.

A commission statement said that it had been informed that the three men — Dr Allah Nazar, Mr Nadim
Akhtar and Mr Gohar — were in precarious mental and physical health.

“The condition of Dr Allah Nazar is said to be especially grave. This is indeed hardly surprising given the
long and apparently illegal detention of the men, and the physical and mental torture inflicted on them
during this period.

“The three young men were among seven members of the BSO taken into custody in Karachi in March.
Four of them who were released in May reported torture, degrading treatment and detention in isolation
for periods extending to a month. BSO leaders in Quetta have also stated that while these three men have
been produced before a court on Aug 13th and remanded in custody, other political activists including all
Asghar Bungulzai, Gohram and Saleh, picked up on various occasions this year, remain in unexplained
and unauthorised detention.

“It is also obvious that the illegal detentions and torture in custody are one part of a broader strategy of
intimidation and harassment being pursued across the country. During the first seven months of the year,
political activists, journalists and other citizens expressing dissent have all been picked up and subjected
to similar intimidation. It also seems personnel of agencies and police are acting with growing impunity
in carrying out such illegal acts.

“HRCP demands all illegally detained people held in the country be produced before courts, and charged
if they are guilty of any unlawful act. It also calls for civil society groups to be given access to detained
persons. The tactic of illegally arresting people can do nothing to dampen dissent, but will only add to the
anger and frustration growing in the country, adding to the already existing threat of further violence and
mayhem. ”—PR
http://www.dawn.com/2005/08/16/nat25.htm

Balochis De-celebrating Pakistani Independence day in Washington

2005-08-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

De-celebrating the Aug 14th , 2005
Dr. Wahid Baloch, BSO-NA, USA

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On the behalf of Baloch Society of North America, I welcome you here. Baloch Society Of North America
Joins hands with his Sindhi Brothers and Sisters, here in Washington, Dc, Today, to de-celebrate the 58th
Birth-day of this country Called Pakistan.
Today we are gathered here at the gates of Pakistani embassy, to expose Pakistan’s crime against
Baloch and Sindhi people in Pakistan.
Today we are gathered here to expose Pakistani crime against Pashtuns and Seraiki people.
Today we are gathered here to expose the Pakistani crime against the women and children in Pakistan.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As you all know that the Pakistan was created by its Masters on August 14th, 1947, on the Basis of the so
called “Two Nations” theory, (the Muslim Nation and the Hindu Nation), which resulted deaths, destructions
and displacements of thousand people in allover India and that was not enough. After 58 years, the people are
still suffering from the effects of that tragedy. Let me ask you this, if we accept that “two Nation” extremist and
fanatic theory, then we should also Accept Mr. Bin Laden’s and his terrorist Gang’s theory to divide the world on
religious line into a Muslim state and a non-Muslim state.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Off course, the civilized world will not accept this crazy idea, But why the civilized world
accepted this two “Nation Theory” 58 years ago to create Pakistan, which caused so much death and
destruction and suffering and still causing suffering to millions people in Pakistan.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This country, Pakistan, has never learned for 58 years to be civilized.
This country, for 58 years, has not shown respect for democratic principles.
This country has not shown respect for human rights.
This country has not shown respect for women and children.
And most importantly, this country has not shown respect for the rights of smaller Nation, the Baloch and
Sindhi, Pashtun and Seraiki Nations in Pakistan.
This country is in constant denial of Baloch, Sindhi, Pashtun and Seraiki Nation’s rights.
Ladies and gentlemen, from the day one until today, this country has been run by Military dictators, one after the
others. There is no Law in Pakistan. The only law that exists is the law of Military men and the law of jungle,
where Pakistani Military, Thugs and Terrorist, Rapists and Killers all have joined hands together, making their
own laws, terrorizing, killing and torturing thousand people every day in Pakistan.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
What kind of Freedom is this? Where Baloch and Sindhi Brothers spend their life behind bars, and are
being tortured every day?
What kind of Freedom is this where a 4year old kid along with his young brothers and sister go on
hunger strike in front of Quetta press club, for his dad to be released from Pakistani jail?
What kind of freedom is this where Baloch women and children are protesting for the release of their
love one in allover Balochistan?
What kind of freedom is this where Dr. Allah Nazar, Ali Nawaz Goher, Akhtar Nadeem, Tariq Baloch, Jan
Mohammad Marri and many other Baloch students and political workers are behind bars and are being
tortured without any trial?
Brothers and sisters, as we speak, there are hunger strikes and protest going on in every city in
Balochistan, for the release of these young students and all other political activists, but Pakistani dictators
have given a deaf ear and a blind eye to the just demands of Baloch and sindhi people.
Pakistan continues its crimes against Baloch people.
Pakistan continue its arrogant anti-Baloch and anti Sindhi policies.
Pakistan continues its Military operation against the defenseless Baloch and Sindhi Nation.
Pakistan continues its human right violations in Balochistan and in Sindh.
Baloch Society of North America denounces the arrogant policies of Pakistan against Baloch and Sindhi,
against Pashtun and Seraiki people and Baloch Society of North America demands that these atrocities must
ends. Dr. Allah Nazar, Ali Asghar, Ali Nawaz, and all other Baloch students and political activists must be
released, immediately and unconditionally, and all the human right violations must stop.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Let me bring your attention to Pakistani terrorism. Since the creation of Pakistan, this country has been
engaged and involved in promoting extremism, fundamentalism and training, and sponsoring terrorism.
Thousands of terrorist camps and more than 20,000 madrassas are established in allover Pakistan,
producing thousand extremist, fanatics, terrorist, Jehadi’s and suicide bombers every day. Thousands of
terrorist groups, like Lashker janguvi, Jaish Mohammad, Lashker Taiba, MMA, Islami Jamait, Tableegi Jamait
and many more in different names are openly and actively working within Pakistan. Every Mosque is turned into
a training camp of extremist and fundamentalist teaching and breeding grounds for Terrorist production. It is
like a Terrorist factory and the terrorist and suicide bombers on sale, buy one get one free.
Let me mention some facts here ladies and gentlemen.
1. All the Terrorists of 9/11 were trained by al-Qaeda in Pakistan.
2. Recent London bombers got their training and instruction from Pakistan.
3. The killers of Denial Pearl were from Pakistan.
4. The Attackers on Indian parliament came from Pakistan and the hijacker of Indian Airline were from
Pakistan and members of Terrorist group Jaish Muhammad who is operating openly in Pakistan with full
Pakistani Government’s support.
5. Recently Pakistan sent three Terrorist Taliban members into Afghanistan to kill US ambassador Zalmey
Khalilzad in Kabul, before he left to Iraq for his new job.
6. Pakistan is sending terrorist to Kashmir for long time to destabilize India.
7. Pakistan is sending terrorist and ex-Taliban’s to destabilize Afghanistan and to kill Americans and
International peacekeepers.
8. World most wanted terrorist Mr. Bin Laden and his gang along with Taliban’s leader Mullah Omar are all
hiding in Pakistan and enjoying full Pakistani Government’s support and protection. As you all know Pakistan
created Taliban and brought them into power too.
9. Pakistan tells the US Government and the world community that he is an alloy in the war against terror,
but the fact is he is playing a double game and has a two-face policy. He is cashing in Millions of Dollars and
technical help from US to fight terrorists, but on the other hand he is secretly and even openly supporting and
training the terrorist groups in allover Pakistan.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
You all know about Pakistan’s nuclear terrorist Mr. Kadir khan and how he tried to fool the world. No one sell
tomato and potato’s in the flea markets as freely as he sold the nuclear technology to terrorist and rough state
like Iran, Korea, and Libya in the international black markets and all this was done with full knowledge and
help of Pakistani dictators.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Let me mention here the nuclear test that was carried out by Pakistani criminals in our homeland Balochistan
without the will of our people.
Pakistan carried out its nuclear test even the Baloch people said “NO” to nuclear testing.

Baloch Society Of North America Condemn that Pakistani crime against Baloch people and asks the United
Nation, the International Community and the International court of Justice to investigate the effects of that
nuclear test and the Baloch losses including homelessness and dislocation must be compensated.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Balochistan was a free state when Pakistan was created. After its creation, it attacked Balochistan and
forcefully annexed it into Pakistan. Since then Pakistan’s crime against Baloch people are continuing. Baloch
people have fought and are still fighting for their freedom. Today Balochistan has been turned into an Occupied
Military Zone. More that 600 Military check posts have been established in allover Balochistan to control the
lives of Baloch people in their own homeland. Sixty thousand troops are stationed in all over Balochistan and
more are on the way. The Military, police and security forces are given tasks to arrest, kidnap and kill every
Baloch who thinks or talks about freedom. The Baloch people are living in fear and in hopelessness and are
desperately looking to the world community for their rescue from the tyranny of the Pakistani dictators.

They are saying, “ Enough is enough”.
They are saying, “ Enough is enough”.
They are saying, “ Enough is Enough”.

It is the time that the Baloch suffering must end. It is the time that the Pakistani hostage of our land must end.
It is the time that all the ongoing Military operations must end and all the student and political activist must be
freed. It is time that the civilized world must take Notice of Pakistani human rights violations against Smaller
Nations of Pakistan.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you.

BFM supports Protest rally in US , at Pakistani Embassy

2005-08-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release

Baloch Freedom Movement extends best wishes and full support BSO-NA , which has been formed to lobby in USA and educate the leaders of the world about the plight of Balochistan. We have communicated to out members in USA to assist the efforts of all Balochi nationalist oganizations with all available resources at their disposal to accomplish our noble mission to free our land from oppressive punjabis . It's a matter of shame and disgusting to see that punjabis want to eliminate Balochis by all means . Pilferage of Oil /Gas and other precious natural resources , which are rightfully belong to balochis where by neglecting our development , a hallmark of mean wicked Punjabis .

We urge all Balochis to come together and join hands to fight the mean enemy masquerading as champion of Islam . Punjabis have abused Islam to further their crude economic intrest , the problem is neither Islamic Pakistan nor Mujahirs , it is GREEDY PUNJABIS who are using Islam as a cover to steal our resources . Our balochi culture is rich , which is under attack , please defend and pray that our next generation will live in a independent nation called Balochistan with peace and harmony .

We will support protest rally to be held in Washington , USA

At the Gates of the Embassy of Pakistan
Sunday, August 14, 2005 11:00am – 12:30pm

We request BFM members in US to attend the protest rally .

Best wishes ,

Long live Balochistan !

Republic of Balochistan , for the sake of for our kids !

for Baloch Freedom Movement

Omar Baloushi , Phd
Oman

12th August , 2005

Balochistan is not a signatory to the Constitution

2005-07-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

HARDtalk; “The talk about development is a diversion” —Akbar Bugti, chief of Jamhoori Watan Party: Part two, concluded

* Balochistan is not a signatory to the Constitution
* [BLA] struggle is for Baloch rights
* [Gas] is Balochistan’s produce, not ‘national’ asset
* Pakistan is a product of the law of necessity

Daily Times: You say you were the target?

Mr. Akbar Khan Bugti: Yes. Look, there were seven points from where intense fire came that day. From four of these, they were firing at my house, my bethak, my kutchery. Over 600 shells were fired, plus hundreds of thousands of machinegun bullets... large caliber, small caliber, everything. Over 600 mortar, cannon and RR shells. They also shot at us from helicopters.

DT: All that, according to the government, happened after your people created a serious law and order problem. Sui was attacked and supply of gas was disrupted for several days.

NABK: That is standard procedure for them (army). As they say, ulta chor kotwal ko dantay. Dr Goebbels said bigger the lie, the better chance of its being believed.

DT: The clashes must have been followed by arrest of your people.

NABK: Arrests are a routine thing...

DT: Have they released some or all of them? As a goodwill gesture?

NABK: No. There’s no goodwill. Or any other will.

DT: One assumed that release of your men must have been the first thing the government did as a result of the visits by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain Syed to Dera Bugti to reach an understanding with you.

NABK: Not me, with people of Balochistan. They thought they could do that through me. I told them I had no mandate. That was their main concern... their Parliamentary Committee report or their recommendations... that I also should go along with it. I told them: “Sorry. That doesn’t concern me.”

DT: President Pervez Musharraf says that you, Mr. Mengal and Mr. Marri are the three Sardars opposing him; that the rest of the Balochistan is with him.

NABK: Quite right actually. Absolutely, 100 percent right. He said 70 Sardars were “sarkari” Sardars. They were with him. Then he amended that, saying it was 76 sardars. He can claim 200 and we will not object. But those who want their rights; those who are fighting for their rights; naturally, the government will call them the enemy.

DT: But there is a perception that the Sardars are responsible for the backwardness and poverty of the Baloch people.

NABK: Are we? Quite right. We are struggling for their rights all we get from the government is bullets and the shells. The plight of the people is borne out by government actions.

DT: Why don’t you seek a solution for your problems within the parameters of the Constitution?

NABK: Which Constitution?

DT: The 1973 Constitution.

NABK: According to international law, the 1973 Constitution does not apply to Balochistan. Why? Because Balochistan then had five elected members in parliament and three of them did not sign it. Two did. The majority did not sign the Constitution. The Constitution does not apply to Balochistan because Balochistan is not a signatory to it. Whatever they have been doing all along is unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.

DT: Do support the demand for a constituent assembly to frame a new Constitution?

NABK: No. We had a Constitution Amendment Bill pending in the Senate for four or five years. We told Chaudhry Shujaat and Mushahid Husain there would be no need for a new constitution if they support the amendment. But they want to make some superficial changes and demand its acceptance at gunpoint. The Mushahid sub-committee report has come, but the Constitution sub-committee report is still awaited. They said certain changes could be made to the Concurrent List. We said Concurrent List was obsolete. It was finished 20 years ago. They wanted to give us some rubbish we don’t need but would not concede what we asked for. You will notice that when the Constitution sub-committee report comes out.

DT: The principal criticism of the Parliamentary Committee Report by Baloch leaders has been that it took over 270 days instead of the stipulated 90 days.

NABK: That doesn’t matter much. If you can’t do it in two months, you can take 10 months as long as something beneficial, something cogent comes out.

DT: Dr Abdul Hayee has said the committee took longer than the stipulated time.

NABK: That is Dr Hayee. He’s stressing the time factor. I am stressing the substance of the matter. The report lacks substance.

DT: President Musharraf says the government is focusing Balochistan. It has allocated Rs 10 billion in projects like
Mekran Highway
, Gwadar Port and Mirani Dam.

NABK: His focus is on Balochistan. But to destroy Balochistan and its people. To destroy those raising a voice for their rights, for what they produce. The focus is on destroying all this. That is true.

DT: Don’t you see the Baloch benefiting from the development plans for Balochistan?

NABK: What development plans? The talk about development plans is meant to divert people’s attention. We want them to agree to what our needs are. If you concede that, then you can say here are 20, 10 or five billion rupees. If you continue to deny the fundamental rights, and offer a few rupees “ham tumhari hathely par bhikarion kee tarhaan rakhtay hain” then nobody is interested in it.

DT: What about the BLA and the BLF?

NABK: (Smiling) Go out [anywhere in Balochistan] and you will find them.

DT: Meaning?

NABK: Hold a placard inscribed with a message that you are looking for the Baloch Liberation Army; that you want to meet them; they will meet you. Yes, they will (sarcastically).

DT: I don’t understand.

NABK: If Jam Sahib [Chief Minister Jam Yusuf] can find them, why can’t you.

DT: Do you support them and their activities?

NABK: They are Baloch. They are my brothers. Every Baloch has sympathy for them. Their struggle is for Baloch rights. They are sacrificing their lives... What foolish Baloch will deny them and say: “Ham tumharay dushman hain.” Woh ya tau bohot bara gadha hoga ya ghaddar hoga.

DT: Even when they are destroying national assets and installations...

NABK: What installations?

DT: Sui installations, for example.

NABK: Sui installations are ours. Assuming, we destroy our own wealth, what business of yours is that? You are giving it a false name. We call it ‘national’ because it is ours. This is our produce. You have been stealing it. You are taking it [gas] by force. It is ours. Whatever name you give it — national installations, national asset, national museebat, national bala — doesn’t concern us. It is mine. It is ours.

DT: Are the proceeds from the sale of natural gas the real bone of contention between you and Islamabad?

NAKB: Payment of royalty is a constitutional requirement. Besides this, there are two other heads — development surcharge and excise duty. The proceeds from these come to five to six billion rupees. The largest amount is generated by development surcharge, followed by royalty and excise duty. These all go to the province or the provincial government. There is no question of these going to anybody else – me, for instance. We have never demanded any part of these three revenue heads. Our claim is that we, the Baloch, own the gas.

DT: Some Baloch leaders have said the government is trying to pitch the Baloch against the Pushtoon.

NABK: I don’t know. Ask them. Put this question to Mengal, Dr Abdul Hayee and Mahmood Khan Achakzai. They are the major parties [in PONM].

DT: Is there a Baloch versus Pushtoon conflict in Balochistan?

NABK: These are small things. Nothing in particular. But government is trying to.... unki koshish hay. Look, we believe the Baloch are living on their land, the Pakhtoon are living on theirs. There’s hardly any dispute until you come to Quetta and its surroundings. Beyond that go to the east or the west, everybody has been on the same land for hundred of centuries... there’s no dispute. The dispute is about Quetta and around it. That is the bone of contention.

DT: And it is going to be resolved?

NABK: I can’t say. Who is going to resolve it?

DT: The Pushtoon and the Baloch themselves.

NABK: Resolve what?

DT: The differences...

NABK: There are others who are there to make sure that there is no resolution. The government and government agencies, which are very powerful; they want to make sure that it is not resolved. The dispute remains and its intensity increases... That is their strategy.

DT: What about your opposition to government plans to set up cantonments in Balochistan? There have been reports that the government has reviewed its decision of delaying the construction of cantonments in Sui, Kohlu and Gwadar.

NABK: They have started preliminary work in Sui. There are reports that they are erecting pillars and putting barbed wire to isolate 200 to 300 acres.

DT: Does this violate the understanding resulting from your talks with Chaudhry Shujaat and Mushahid Hussain? Didn’t they assure you the construction of cantonments was being delayed?

NABK: Which month or year are you referring to?

DT: Last year.

NABK: Chaudhry Shujaat and Mushahid Hussain didn’t say it. It was Tariq Aziz [the National Security Council secretary]. He had said: “we are for the moment deferring the construction of the cantonment”. That was last year. Since then they have started the preliminary work.

DT: How have you reacted to that work?

NABK: People don’t accept it. They don’t like it. This is [being done] by force of arms. Not by people’s consent. Not by dam, dalasa. Like Dr Shazia Khalid. She was raped. She did not consent to it.

DT: in her case, you wanted an army captain to be arrested and punished?

NABK: He should have been. I heard what she told BBC the other day. When she talked to a meeting in Houston, she wept. She was crying, saying she didn’t get justice. She was thrown out of the country while the rapist is in the country enjoying his life. She has confirmed what I have been saying. That he is the rapist. She couldn’t say this here. She was too frightened. Here, there was nobody out there for her. Any woman would be afraid of military goons. And she was sent packing. General Musharraf said the man was 100 percent innocent. We said he was 2,000 per cent guilty. But he was in uniform, a “paity bhai”... Now Mukhtar Mai, she was also raped; gang-raped by a number of men. They were arrested and sentenced. Because they are ordinary people. She’s from the Punjab and they, too, are from the Punjab. But here this woman is from Karachi, Sindh, a Memon. And the rapist is from the holy land of Punjab, the holy of holies of armed forces, a “paity bhai”. That is the reason. Was anybody punished for the rapes in Dhaka? Sheikh Mujib told me that over 100,000 women were raped. Did you catch anybody and put him in jail?

DT: in his recent interview to Daily Times, President Musharraf accused you of gross human rights violations, particularly against Bundhlanis, a sub-tribe of Kalpars. He said you have forced them to live in tents in inhuman conditions subsisting on a few hundred rupees a month the government doles out. He holds you responsible for their plight.

NABK: Has he said that?

DT: Yes. He said it on record in an interview with the DT Editor.

NABK: Generals are known for lying. Every general, particularly the Pakistani generals. They tell the baray say bara jhoot. They don’t even blink their eyes while leveling false allegations against people. This is their preserve. There is nothing new about it. You can go there and see. They are living in houses. May be rented ones, may be purchased ones. Some in better houses; some in bungalows. And they are getting their allowances.

DT: But the allowances are paltry.

NABK: In the days of Gen Babar — another general — they got about 60 to 70 million rupees from the Baitul Maal. It’s on record. We have got the photocopies. We produced these documents in the assembly where they hushed up the matter. Certain Baitul Maal officials had provided us the photocopies of cheques and other documents. They are also provided funds from the ISI budget. They are living comfortably. They are to be used when needed. Twice before, they have tried to use them. They are their weapon. These people are under death sentence from superior courts. They are proclaimed offenders. The government is providing shelter and paying allowances to those sought by the higher courts. Where is the rule of law? Where’s the General’s own rule of law? For one thing, he lies claiming they are in distress. They are not in distress.

DT: in your view, what is the future of this country?

NABK: The country has no future. Pakistan came into being under the law of necessity. Then in the ‘70s it broke up under the law of necessity. Today, it is struggling along under the law of necessity. It finally will come to an end under the law of necessity.

This is the second and concluding part of Nawab Bugti’s interview that he gave to Sarfaraz Ahmed, resident editor of Daily Times in Karachi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_15-7-2005_pg3_5

Baloch Society Of North America formally Launched , trouble for Pakistan

2005-07-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

15.07.2005

As we said in that Balochis in North America are forming a new organization called "Baloch Society of North America», a Non-profit Organization, now it is officially launched. At tits website http://www.BSO-NA.org , it states the organization is «working to unite and Organize all Baloch in North America, to expose the Occupation and Oppressive policies of Pakistani and Iranian Governments against Baloch people and our Baloch land (Balochistan), and to bring their Human Rights Violations in Balochistan into the world’s Notice. «. The website has picture of all Baloch leaders and interviews of BSO leader Dr. Imdad.

Dr. Wahid Baloch, the principle promoter of BSO-NA wrote to Baloch unity , that general body meeting will be held on December 16th-18th, 2005 "after talking to many friends in US, Canada and overseas, based on their suggestions, we have decided to extend that date of our First General Body meeting Of BSO-NA from Aug 13-14 to December 16th-18th, 2005, so that we can finish the membership campaign and have enough time to prepare ourselves better for the meeting "

This meeting will be attended by guests from all over world by delaying " Also this will give enough time to our overseas guests to apply for the US visa and make travel arrangements. The invitation letters are ready and will be sent out soon to the participants. «Said Dr. Wahid Baloch

Further the website stated that «July 15th is the "Shuada-e-Balochistan Day". Please don't forget the sacrifices made by our Heroes for our great Nation. Let’s follow their footsteps and be resolute and determined in our fight against our enemies to save our Baloch Nation. Long live Balochistan and Long live Baloch Struggle for Freedom. "

In it's open letter to President of US, it accused Pakistan of occupying their lands and committed Human rights Violation. »From 1977-2005, Pakistan continues its crime against Baloch people. Thousand Baloch political activists and students have been arrested since then and are being tortured in secret jails. Many are missing, including Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch, Goher Baloch and Akther Nadeem Baloch. Pakistani military, paramilitary and security forces are given tasks to arrest, kidnap or kill any Baloch who talks or think about freedom. More than 600 military check post have been established all over Balochistan to control the activities and movements of Baloch people. " .

Iranian government «has distorted political, economical and cultural development of Balochistan and insulted the human dignity of Baloch people. Religion is manifestly being used as a mean to assimilate Baloch nationality into Persian national identity. These basic realities have reinforced the Baloch’s general feeling of frustration and determination of having their own independent State. «, stated in that letter.

This organization is first of its kind which is aimed to educate leaders in North America about "Pakistani and Iranian oppression». Dr Wahid himself as member in Baloch unity Organisation said that Pakistan's commercial/strategic ties with China , particularly strategic Gwadar project and US aversion to Chinese presence in that Strategic location , will enhance Baloch ties with US ,adding voice to their struggle. One possible move by Pakistan to suppress Baloch activism may be , to ask Chinese to quit from the project and invite US and UK to build the Gwadar , as US and UK mentioned their interest to participate in that project . It should be noted that recently many Baloch leaders have met US ambassador privately and officially and the discussions are not revealed in public. Pakistani authorities and intelligence has produced a report to Musharraf on the nature of communication between Baloch Leaders and US representatives.

The current Balochi Nationalists , younger generation in particular ,are educated around the world and in particular western capitals ,are smart enough to lobby , and were successful earlier to being their struggle to the world stage .

With Washington’s Oil interests in Central Asia, Balochistan will be the next focus point in the world theater, as many of the oil pipelines have to cross Balochistan to cater energy hungry India and south East Asia. Baloch have stated openly that any pipeline to India via Balochistan will be at the "good will" of Baloch only, so India - US - Baloch nationalist’s nexus will play a major role in future.

Professor wounded in Quetta shooting

2005-07-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

Professor wounded in Quetta shooting

QUETTA: Two unidentified motorcyclists opened fire at Professor Dr Nadir Khan, a professor of medicine at Bolan Medical Complex, and injured him when he was on his way to a hospital on Friday morning.

He was rushed to Karachi after initial treatment at Quetta Civil Hospital. Police said that the professor had no personal enmity with anyone and sectarian violence could not be ruled out.

Police said Dr Nadir belonged to a Shia sect and had a clinic in a private hospital. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_16-7-2005_pg7_45

Balochistan’s inclusion in pipeline talks urged

By Our Correspondent

QUETTA, July 15: Leader of the Opposition in Balochistan Assembly Kachkol Ali Baloch has called upon India to ensure that the province was represented in the tripartite dialogue between Pakistan, Iran and India on a gas pipeline project. Representation at such a forum would allow Balochistan to stake its claim to gas royalty, according to Mr Kachkol.

“If Pakistan can ask India to include Kashmiri leaders in the negotiations on the Kashmir issue, then why cannot the Baloch have representation in the tripartite meeting on the gas pipeline?” the opposition leader asked during a press conference in the assembly secretariat on Thursday.

Mr Kachkol insisted that the Baloch people must be allowed to participate in any agreement on passing the gas pipeline through Balochistan from Iran to India.

Mr Kachkol warned the tripartite states that the Baloch people would not permit them to make the pipeline project viable if the Baloch leadership was not taken into confidence. “The tripartite states should invite the present provincial government to represent Balochistan,” he said.

He said that the Afghans had taken a courageous stand on the gas/oil pipeline issue with international companies and maintained that the Baloch people should also express unity like the Afghans to protect their motherland.

Pointing out that Pakistan was a “multi-national state comprising four nationalities that have different cultures, languages and history,” Mr Kachkol said that in a true federation, all federating units had control over their resources.

The opposition leader said that the federal government had always committed excesses against the Baloch people and alleged that it had looted the resources of the province through use of military force. According to him, the Baloch people had been deprived of political and constitutional rights.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/07/16/nat39.htm

Closure of coalmines deplored

By Our Correspondent

QUETTA, July 15: Pakistan Mines Security Services Chairman Azam Khan Yousufzai has claimed that the closure of Chamalang coalmine in Loralai causes Rs2.5 billion revenue loss to the government annually and demanded deployment of Frontier Corps to reopen the mine. He told a press conference on Friday that withdrawal of security forces from Chamalang, Marwar, Mirgat and Aabegum coalmines had encouraged occupiers of the mines on the one hand and caused ethnic tension in Balochistan on the other.

He said that owners of the mines would continue to face financial hardships if the government did not establish its writ by providing security to help them continue the work.

He claimed that those who were behind rocket firing and bomb blasts in the province had demanded huge amounts from the mine owners and on their refusal had occupied the coal mines.

Mr Yousufzai said that either the government should play its due role by protecting the miners or allow the Kakar tribesmen to arrange a security system at the mines.

He said that they had reached an agreement with the Bijrani, Lohari and another branch of the Mari tribe of Kohlu, according to which the mine owners would pay them Rs20 million every month to ensure safe passage of coal trucks from the Mari area.

He said that according to an estimate, daily supply of coal from Chamalang mines to industries in Punjab used to be 8,000 tons.

He regretted that the matter had been brought to the notice of the governor, chief minister and corps commander but no step had been taken to solve the problem.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/07/16/nat30.htm

KARACHI: SHC allows Akhtar Mengal’s petition

KARACHI, July 15: The Sindh High Court on Friday, allowing a petition filed by Balochistan National Party leader, Mohammad Akhtar Mengal, against ban on his travel abroad, ordered the interior ministry to delete his name from the ECL. The petitioner, an ex-chief minister of Balochistan, said he was denied a visit abroad as his name was placed on the ECL by FIA.

The BNP leader, who is also critical to government’s polices, said there was no ground to restrain him from travelling abroad and deprive him of a journey relating to business and health.

His counsel Raja Qureshi and Syed Ghulam Shah sought deletion of his name from the ECL.

Federal law officer Tariq Ali told the court that the interior ministry had placed the name of the petitioner in the ECL on the recommendations of the NAB and produced a copy of the letter.

The court expressed annoyance that there were no any reference or case mentioned in the letter on which the petitioner be restrained from travelling abroad besides no comments have been filed by the respondents.

SHC’s division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice Zia Pervaiz, observed that no citizen could be restrained from moving freely without any specific reason and allowed the petition. It also ordered the respondents to remove the name of the petitioner from the ECL and issue him a passport.

—PPI

http://www.dawn.com/2005/07/16/local6.htm

Iran likely to supply power, gas to Gwadar

By Ihtasham ul Haque

ISLAMABAD, July 15: Pakistan has approached Iran to supply electricity and gas to the Gwadar seaport city, it is learnt. Official sources told Dawn here on Friday that the government had decided to urgently overcome electricity and gas shortage in Gwadar, was discussing the issue with the government of Iran.

Iran has tentatively agreed to meet the energy requirements of Balochistan province. However, the sources said, the Iranian government was being asked to help meet necessary electricity and gas requirements of District Gwadar, which included Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara and Jiwani.

The Gwadar port authorities, the sources said, had asked the federal government to manage gas and electricity requirements especially for the proposed hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other development projects in the area.

The sources said while the construction of coastal highway had boosted the life of the people of Gwadar, infrastructure facilities to the investors were vital for the development of the new port city in Balochistan.

Since the development of next phase of Gwadar port has been offered to the private sector/ international investors on Build Operate and Ownership (BOO) and Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, the sources said, energy requirements of the area needed to be appropriately met.

The government was also requested by the port authorities to help improve the standard of living of the people of the area by providing basic necessities.

The health facility lacks equipment to deal with serious cases of illness to the Gwadar population which is around 80,000, majority of whom are fishermen.

The literacy rate in the area is extremely low being less than 20 per cent for male and less than 7 per cent for female. One of the long term programmes for Balochistan development is the development of Gwadar port with the technical and financial assistance of Chinese government.

Under the programme, the sources said, many industries have been envisaged to be established in the province in general and around Gwadar in particular for which skilled manpower would be needed for the operation of the port and the allied industries.

In this behalf, the sources said, that the ministry of education had decided to establish Gwadar Institute of Technology in line with the government policy to effectively develop Gwadar port under the 9th five-year plan.

The government would provide Rs200 million to set up the new institute that aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship by establishing strong linkages between the institute and the industries of Gwadar port.

Gwadar Institute of Technology would be established under the supervision of Director General, Gwadar Development Authority who would be responsible for day to day activities.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/07/16/ebr1.htm

Centre grants Rs 170m for NCHD project in Balochistan

By our correspondent

QUETTA: The federal government has provided an additional grant of Rs 170 million for implementing projects of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) in Balochistan during last two years.

An amount of Rs 275 million has been earmarked for the current financial year and Rs 400 million would be spent on the NCHD projects during the next fiscal, said NCHD Chairman Dr Naseem Ashraf.

During a briefing to Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousuf here on Friday, Dr Ashraf said the funds would be utilised for the development of education, health and adult literacy sectors.

The NCHD was established on the special directives of President Pervez Musharraf in 2002 and had been working in nine districts of Balochistan. Dr Ashraf said the remaining districts of the province would be covered in the NCHD programme by 2007.

"It is a big achievement of the programme to include the community in the implementation of the projects. Over 6,000 volunteers have so far been prepared, who are helping the commission," he said.

The governor and the chief minister appreciated the NCHD projects and assured Dr Ashraf of the provincial government’s full cooperation.

They stressed the need for building close liaison between the commission and the provincial government so as to move ahead with the programme.

Provincial Minister for Education Maulana Abdul Wahid Siddiqui, Local Bodies Minister Maulana Hussain Ahmed Sharodi, Chief Secretary KB Rind and other officials also attended the meeting.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

Hunting, carrying weapons banned in Pishin

QUETTA: The district coordination officer (DCO) Pishin has imposed a ban under Section 144 CrPC on carrying all sorts of weapons for a period of one month. A notification issued here on Friday said the ban shall remain enforced with immediate effect for one month throughout the district but it would not apply on personnel of law-enforcement agencies. According to another notification, the DCO Pishin has imposed a ban under Section 144 CrPC on hunting all sorts of birds for a period of one month in the entire district.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

Cantonment being made in Sui, says Akbar Bugti

2005-07-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

By Sarfaraz Ahmed

KARACHI: Nawab Akbar Bugti said on Saturday that despite Gen Pervez Musharraf’s close aide Tariq Aziz telling him that the government had delayed the plan to set up cantonments in Balochistan, work had begun on the construction of a cantonment in Sui.

He also reiterated his opposition to the government’s reported plans to set up three cantonments in Sui, Kohlu and Gwadar.

“They have started initial work by barbed wiring land they have selected to set up the cantonment on,” Nawab Bugti told Daily Times in an interview at his Dera Bugti residence.

Disputing the government’s contention that February’s army action was in response to an attack by Bugti tribesmen on security personnel and Sui gas installations, Nawab Bugti said he was the actual target and that the army had used heavy weapons including attack helicopters against them.

According to him, there was firing from seven points and that he was being fired upon from four of these points. “The army’s objective was to kill me, but I am alive,” he added.

He claimed that the army action against his tribesmen had so far claimed 34 lives with a tribeswoman dying of her wounds two days ago.

Supporting the Baloch Liberation Army and Baloch Liberation Front and the activities carried out be them, he said any Baloch who would not be supporting them would either be an ass or a traitor.

About his prolonged talks with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain, he said they (the talks) had yielded no result. He also said the four-party Baloch nationalist alliance had rejected the parliamentary committee’s report “because there is no substance in it”.

He ruled out the possibility of resolving the Balochistan issue through the constitution, saying the 1973 Constitution had no legitimacy because three of the five members from Balochistan in parliament did not sign it.

He again accused the government of robbing Balochistan’s resources, which solely belonged to the Baloch.

He also denied charges levelled by Gen Musharraf in an interview to Daily Times that the Nawab was responsible for the plight of the Kalpars. Nawab Bugti said the government was using Kalpar tribesmen against him.

Comparing the Mukhtar Mai case and that of Dr Shazia Khalid, Nawab Bugti alleged that rape victim Dr Khalid did not get justice because she came from Sindh and the alleged rapist happened to be the “holiest of the holies”, a Punjabi and an army officer.

Full text of interview will be published in Daily Times HARDtalk column shortly.

The Dynamics of Baloch Resistance in Pakistan

2005-07-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

12.07.2005

By: Dr. Naseer Dashti

The time comes in the life of any nation when there remain only two choices - submit or fight. For a majority of conscious Baloch that time has now come to Baloch people. A growing fear of cultural, economic and political domination has prompted an extensive discussion among Baloch nationalists in Pakistan for formulating a viable and feasible strategy for countering the ever-dominating maneuvers of the state. The discussion regarding participation in the legal and constitutional bodies of the state is a hot topic of discussion especially among youth and students. Baloch political elite are also conscious of far-reaching repercussions of recent political and strategic changes in the world polity in general and the region in particular. The nationalist leadership and groups in Balochistan are increasingly under pressure from different quarters to forge a united front of patriotic forces on a common minimum program of national salvation. The recent proposal by one of prominent Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akber Bugti regarding the formation of a single Baloch political party is heatedly being debated throughout Balochistan and abroad. Whether a single party or a united front, it is a widely shared view among Baloch that there is a need to develop a common, united platform of all sections of the nationalist movement. This article is a brief discussion on the dynamics of the present phase of Baloch national struggle in Pakistan.

The Baloch National Question in Pakistan

The National Question concerns the oppression of one or a number of other people/s by a dominant colonial power. Consequently, the right to self-determination or to national independence exclusively can be claimed by the oppressed. Balochistan was conquered by force and is today ruled by force. At moments when the occupier feels itself threatened, it does not hesitate to use the gun. When the gun is not in use other devices are brought into play in an attempt to crush the Baloch people’s genuine political and economical aspirations and to mutilate the cultural and traditional values of Baloch people. These include legal and administrative terror, fear, social and economic pressures. Deliberate confusions are being generated by the propaganda of state machinery and the education system highlighting the grandeur of a non existing Islamic Umma and the “holy” Pakistani culture. Whether in reserve or in actual employment, brutal force is ever present and this has been so since the incorporation of Balochistan in to Pakistan in 1948.

Massive military crack downs of atrocious proportion waged against Baloch people in 1948, 1958, 1973 and the present military operation in Marri, Bugti, Jhalawan and Southern Balochistan is the latest in this series.
Attempts to the eradication of Baloch culture by denying education in mother tongue and superimposition of north Indian language and culture on Baloch people and non-acknowledgement of a Baloch existence as a separate national entity within Pakistan. The Pakistani national state has been adopting an approach of induced assimilation to the dominant nationality. National integration that is the creation to a novel Islamic nation from several ethnic nationalities as part of their nation-building efforts.
Gaining hold of the Baloch land by encouraging settlers from majority nationality to move to northern Balochistan, for example, in Quetta and Sibi in the past and the recent allotment and occupation of the thousands of acres of lands in the coastal belt and the planned settlement of 2.5 million people in Gwadar.
Subjugation tactics by the use of armed violence, state terror against Baloch, such as with the use of torture, selective killing of Baloch elite by fomenting intertribal and intra-tribal conflicts by various state agencies.
A ‘state of siege’ has been imposed on Balochistan through police, paramilitary and coast guard repressions.
Electing or selecting government functionaries have imposed an indirect or internal colonial rule by manipulating and under hand tactics of government agencies.
Keeping Balochistan intentionally backward while ruthlessly exploiting its natural resources for the benefit of majority nationality.
Encouraging fundamentalist religious elements allied with state establishment and funded and patronized by it to take over, in the long run the very fabric of a secular Baloch society.
In all the institutions of Pakistan, the Baloch are practically and statutorily excluded from the political, economical and cultural processes of the state. Political power, except for some marginally delegated powers to provinces, is explicitly the monopoly of the central government dominated by Punjabis. The Baloch people are being ruled as a conquered and colonized people. All of this is being rationalized on the basis of ideology of Pakistan, the core of this ideology is the conquest and domination of the minority nationalities of Pakistan, Baloch among those is the most exploited and oppressed.

Balochistan has been ruled in a manner of indirect colonial rule. Conquest and domination by an alien people, a system of discrimination and exploitation based on ethnicity, technique of indirect rule; are the traditional trappings of the classical colonial framework. From the very beginning Non-entities were duly crowned as “chiefs", of the different Baloch tribes by the state establishment in order to corner the genuine Baloch leadership. Parties were created in Balochistan to fragmentize Baloch society among middle, lower and upper classes. In the name of elections, agents of state security agencies were “elected or projected” as the representatives of Baloch masses. These "representative and leaders of Baloch masses" were and are being encouraged to enrich themselves by all means provided they are prepared to do the bidding of the state establishment. The so-called incorporation in the provincial power structure of some "Baloch" leaders is a thorough corruption of colonial traditions and merely an extension of majority domination by proxy. The system of proxy or indirect rule has been favored by many colonial powers throughout history. In the Pakistani context its purpose is creating a class of relatively privileged Balochs who would thus acquire a direct material interest in the preservation of the institutions of national domination at the expense of their own people. The fact that some of these collaborator tribal chiefs and leaders of so-called Baloch middle class could trace descent from those heads of tribes and other notables who sided with the Pakistani establishment from the very beginning is quite interesting. The state is also fostering and propagating non existing intertribal and intra-tribal rivalries among those Baloch tribes whose chiefs are leading the Baloch national struggle. This is to combat, not only the nationalist tribal chiefs with the help of their own people, but more importantly to crush, an inclusive, Baloch Nationalism.

The national question of Baloch is an old sociological reality historically constituted. Baloch never accepted the partition of their homeland Balochistan, in the aftermath of the unjust decisions of the boundary commissions reached between British Empire, Persia and Afghanistan during 19th century and annexation of Kalat State by Pakistan in 1948. The Baloch demand for self-rule constitutes a democratic pursuit that is incompatible with the despotism and religious-based nationalism of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The Baloch resistance movements in Iran and Pakistan had all the same background - the will of national liberation. In the contemporary world many politically unstable African and Asian countries include disparate ethnic nationalities, frequently embattled because of national boundaries that were artificially drawn by European colonialists. In spite of the diversity of struggle in the 20th century, the Baloch struggle was for a purely nationalist agenda aiming to replace foreign rule by a native rule.

The Baloch Options

Baloch masses firmly believe that Baloch identity is more at peril than ever before. Baloch have suffered more than just national humiliation. Baloch people are deprived of their due in the country's wealth; their skills have been suppressed and poverty and starvation has been their life experience. The so-called democratic institutions such as district governments, provincial assemblies and federal bodies are a gross insult to Baloch national inspiration and mockery of federalism in Pakistan. These have proved in practice to be blind alleys serving mainly as a delaying tactic to ensure the prolongation of the period of Punjabi domination over Baloch and other nationalities. There is disillusionment among the majority of Baloch with the prospect of achieving national salvation by traditional peaceful processes. All lawful modes of expressing opposition to the domination and cultural and economical exploitation had been closed by the state, and Baloch are placed in a position in which they had either to accept a permanent state of inferiority, or to defy the state. Many politically active groups are in firm belief that under the highly sophisticated police state of Pakistan it is questionable whether a movement can succeed in a program of mass political organization beyond a certain point without starting a new type of action. And the only option left for them is to answer the state violence with armed resistance of the oppressed masses. But are the conditions favorable for an all out struggle including armed resistance by Baloch masses?

In the typical colonial-type situation armed resistance becomes feasible only if:

There is readiness to respond to the strategy of armed struggle with all the enormous sacrifices which this involves;
There is in existence a political leadership capable of gaining the organized allegiance of the people for armed struggle and which has both the experience and the ability to carry out the painstaking process of planning, preparation and overall conduct of the operations.
There exist favorable objective conditions in the international and regional polity.
From the time alien rule was imposed on Baloch people there has been - historically speaking - unbroken resistance to the domination. It has taken different forms at different times but it has never been abandoned. There were regular armed clashes, and battles. The superior material resources of the enemy, the divided and often fragmented nature of the resistance, the unchallenged ascendancy of imperialism as a world system, the historically understandable absence of political cohesion and leadership in the Baloch camp; these and other factors combined to end the past phases of Baloch resistance against foreign domination in defeat and confusion.

Regarding the support of the world community to their cause they believe that on international level a polarization of forces has occurred. There are forces of fundamentalism, and terrorism creating chaos and instability. There are forces which would like the world to be a safe place for all humanity acknowledging the birth right of different nations, nationalities and ethnic groups to be governed by the representatives of their own selection, in their own cultural and traditional ways. On the face of it major western powers such as Britain, Germany, France and the United States and Japan who have an enormous stake in the ongoing war against terrorism constitute a formidable support for the rogue state. Already they have done much to develop the economy and armament program of the state. But there is the wide spread belief among the political observers on international affairs that the support of western alliance to states like Pakistan with a fundamentalist establishment and nuclear potentials is a temporary one and a major strike by western powers is on card against such rogue states.

In one sense conditions are connected and interdependent. They are not created by subjective and ideological activity only. These conditions are brought about not only by developing political, economic and social conditions but also by the long hard grind of resistance movement. They depend on such factors as the response of the enemy, the strength and weaknesses of the enemy and the experience gained by the people themselves not in academic seminars but in actual political struggle. The new and apparently the final phase of struggle of Baloch people is taking place in the context of a new world political milieu, in which the fundamentalist and religious and rogue states are increasingly under pressure from world community to reform their social, economic and political systems. Baloch are part of the zone in which international pressure is highest on the countries where Baloch are being subjugated as a nationality.

Majority of the Baloch intellectuals and writers and conscious leadership believe this a deceitful excuse that the Baloch landmass is not capable of sustaining a protracted resistance. It is also not convincing for them that actual phase for the struggle for national rights is put off because they have not achieved an adequate level of preparation and organization. They also dispute the argument that the international situation is not favorable for a Baloch uprising. Many elements in nationalist circles believe that in the present world scenario what the Baloch as a nation must now do is to develop a program to be put into effect in the event of certain expectable and inevitable geo-political upheavals in the region. They believe in carrying out the struggle on the basis of an authentic Baloch identity and on the basis of right of self-determination.

The enemy is not invincible

The decades of indoctrination of state armed forces and the masses and deeply felt theoretical rationalization which centre on survival of the state on brute force will make enemy, the Baloch face, a ferocious and formidable foe. There is the reinforced feeling of confidence among Pakistani ruling elite that their fortress is impregnable and unassailable considering the state’s immense military power and nuclear capability. For the moment apparently, the Baloch face what is by and large a united and confident enemy and all significant sections of the dominant nationality are in broad agreement on the question of defeating Baloch struggle for national emancipation. Although it looks that the state is in stable command and can afford an enormous military budget. But if there is one lesson that the history of national liberation struggles has taught, it is that the material strength and resources of the enemy is by no means a decisive factor. Armed resistance by a suppressed people almost by definition presents a situation in which there is a vast imbalance of material and military resources between the opposing sides. It is designed to cope with the situation in which the enemy is infinitely superior in relation to every conventional factor of warfare. Protracted guerilla warfare is par excellence the weapon of the materially weak against the materially strong. Given its popular character and given a population which increasingly sides with and shields the armed insurgents whilst at the same time opposing and exposing the enemy, the survival and growth of an armed resistance is assured by the skilful exercise of tactics. Superior forces can thus be harassed, weakened and, in the end, destroyed. The absence of an orthodox front, of fighting lines; the need to protect the widely scattered installations on which the state economy is dependent; these are among the factors which serve in the long run to compensate in favor of the armed resistance for the disparity in the starting strength of the adversaries.

The mobilization of a large force in the course of a protracted struggle will place a further burden on the workings of the economy of the state. The most favorable factor concerning the confrontation of Baloch and state is that the enemy resources are all situated within the reach of Baloch resistance forces and theatre of war can easily be extended to the heartland of Punjab and there will remain no secure asset safe from sabotage, and armed action.

Physical environment which conforms to a special pattern is indispensable regarding arm resistance- thick jungle, inaccessible mountain areas, swamps, and a friendly border and so on. But guerrilla warfare can be, and has been, waged in every conceived type of terrain, in deserts, in farm fields, in built-up areas, in plains, in the bush and in countries without friendly borders or islands surrounded by the sea. This whole question is one of adjusting survival tactics to the sort of terrain in which operations have to be carried out. There might not appear to be a single impregnable mountain or impenetrable jungle but Baloch land abounds in terrain which in general is certainly no less favorable for guerrilla operations than some of the terrains in which other armed resistance movements operated successfully in Asia and Africa. Balochistan tremendous size will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the occupational forces to keep the whole of it under armed surveillance in strength and in depth. It is necessary to stress these factors not only because they give balance to the efforts of Baloch nationalist forces but because - properly assessed - they help destroy the myth of the enemy's invincibility.

Political Control over Armed Resistance

To ignore the real situation and to play about with imaginary forces, concepts and ideals is to invite failure. The revolutionary-sounding phrase does not always reflect revolutionary policy, and revolutionary-sounding policy is not always the spring-board for revolutionary advance. Indeed what appears to be "militant" and "revolutionary" can often be counter-revolutionary. Untimely, ill planned or premature manifestations of violence impede and do not advance the prospect for the achievement of ultimate aim and are clearly counter-productive. It is obvious therefore that policy and organizational structures must grow out of the real situation if they are not to become meaningless clichés. The new phase of Baloch national struggle is occurring in a new situation. It is taking place in a different era and in a different context from those which characterized the early struggles. It is happening in a new kind of world - a world which is no longer bipolar.

The armed struggle is the political struggle by means which include the use of military force even though once force as a tactic is introduced it has the most far-reaching consequences on every aspect of a society or a movement. The riot, the street fight, the outburst of unorganized violence, individual terrorism; these are symptoms of the militant spirit but are not being appreciated in today’s international political milieu. The winning of freedom for a nation by armed struggle demands more than passion. It demands an understanding and an implementation of theory and techniques in the actual conditions facing the nation. It demands a sober assessment of the obstacles and an appreciation that such a struggle is bitter and protracted. It demands, too, the dominance in the general thinking among resistance cadres of achievement over drama.

Many experts on liberation struggle reject the approach which sees only the short-cut of isolated confrontations and the creation of armed resistance centers as the catalyst for revolutionary transformation of the oppressed masses. Also, it is not easy to determine the point at which sufficient concrete political and organizational preparations have been carried out to give the armed resistance pockets the maximum chances of survival and growth within any given area. There is no instrument for measuring this. But the importance of the subjective factors must not be overdone and before embarking upon a path which is in one sense tragic, although historically inevitable and necessary, certain of the basic minimum conditions already mentioned must be present and certain minimum preparations must have been made. It is important to emphasize this because national liberation movement must reject all manifestations of militarism which separates armed people's struggle from its political context.

Perhaps in today’s realities the dangers of the obsolete doctrines of 1950s and 1960s regarding the creation of armed resistance areas (foci) as the generator of mass resistance should be analyzed properly. One of the vital problems connected with this bears on the important question of the relationship between the political and military. There should be no ambiguity concerning this. The primacy of the political leadership should be unchallenged and supreme and all militant units should be subordinate to political leadership. This approach is borne out by the experience of the overwhelming majority of national liberation movements which have engaged in such struggle. With the historical background and traditions of Baloch resistance in Pakistan and Iran, within the memory of many people and the special developments of the immediate past, the involvement of the masses is unlikely to be the result of a sudden natural and automatic consequence of military clashes. It has to be won in all-round political mobilization accompanied with armed activities. This includes extensive counter propaganda and agitation throughout Baloch land and internationally to cope with the sophisticated torrent of misleading propaganda and disinformation of the enemy which will become more intense as the struggle sharpens. The masses have to be activated in a multitude of ways not only to ensure a growing stream of recruits for the fighting units but to harass the enemy politically so that his forces are dispersed and therefore weakened. This calls for the exercise of all-round political leadership.

The national liberation struggle is neither static nor does it take place in a vacuum. To believe that the course of struggle is determined solely by the fighting units involves the fallacious assumption that the masses are rock like and incorruptible and they will join the struggle automatically. The adversary is aware that the side wins the allegiance of the people, wins the struggle. In fact history proves that without the most intensive all-round political activity this is the more likely that the result may not be positive. It is therefore all the more vital that the leadership of the national liberation movement is nation-wide and has its roots both inside and outside the actual areas of combat. The confidence in final victory rests not on the wish or the dream but on the understanding of the prevailing conditions and the historical processes. This understanding must be deepened and must spread to every level of our society.

The Quest for a Baloch National Front

Politics of any kind is successful but only when backed by firm resoluteness, clear ideology and robust leadership. In the course of active defence who will lead the Baloch masses through this struggle? It is the most decisive issue. Policy could be realistic when it is based on the actual conditions of the people concerned and their enemy, and the world in general. It is, therefore, not the matter of one’s choice but that necessity that leadership should have correct assessment of any situation through close investigations. The leaders who are unable to adjust to the new mood of Baloch masses fell by the wayside. It is imperative that Baloch leadership and intelligentsia must recognise this hard fact that anyone who proposes to serve his people must not expect people to roll stones out of his way, but must accept his lot calmly if they even roll a few more upon it.

The solidarity of Baloch masses and leadership is necessary in the given circumstances. Political leadership must reason and act. In order to do so intelligently, they need to deal with and reason about this challenging situation. The intelligentsia and leadership will have to shed their scepticism; they will have to abandon grumbling and wavering on important national issues. They should be clear and loud and unambiguous on the question of our national identity and our right to rule. They have to reach the people and speak a language that the Baloch masses can appreciate and international community can understand.

How should the common enemy be confronted? What is the solution, and who should mount the charge? The historical responsibility rests on every patriot to call for a Baloch National Front - involving the total mobilization of all nationalist forces. Such a coalition would attract huge popular support. The cohesion and unity of action between the various national and social groupings comprising the National Front will reach new heights. All this will constitute not only moral justifications for a move towards a comprehensive and all out resistance movement, but, what is more important, conditions will be created making a departure in correct direction.

The program of this front must be reflective of the genuine needs and aspirations of Baloch masses. There should be no wavering between provincial autonomy and 1940 resolution etc. any more. The National Front should be of the conviction that both political and economic powers are inalienable rights of the people of Balochistan. Its mission therefore should be to contribute to the task of total political and economic emancipation of Baloch masses.
Keeping into account the skepticism of some leaders and groups regarding the “individuality syndrome” among Baloch leadership, the present initiative should not be an attempt to unify various factions into a single political party. However, the partners in the front should be prepared to address the question of unification and to promote ongoing debate and discussion on it and should keep the issue under review. Maintaining their separateness as political organizations, the various factions should develop collaboration politically and socially in order to bring the people of Balochistan closer together politically, to promote common understanding and ultimate unity.
The National Front should be committed to the development of democracy and freedom and the maintenance and protection of the right of the people of Balochistan to self-determination.
In the present circumstance the United Front of nationalists should not strive to win over the support of the established collaborators and opportunist leadership, rather it should concern the unity of the genuine nationalists themselves.
The National Front must not be a marriage of convenience but should be a political alliance based on a common, genuine regard for the achievement of the final aim of Baloch masses.
The National Front should have as its central issue the struggle against the opportunist ideology, which justifies capitulation.
It is also imperative to co-ordinate the activity of nationalist forces on the both side of Goldsmith Line.
The Baloch National Front should firmly believe in the organised power of the people as the motive force critical to the radical transformation of society and in our particular circumstances in the reconstruction of a new Baloch polity. It is only an organised people who can liberate themselves from political suppression and economic exploitation. It should be the embryo of a coalition of nationalists whose task should be to create conducive atmosphere under which all people are encouraged to participate in the struggle for their salvation.
The ideological creed of the Baloch National Front should be the creed of Baloch Nationalism. The Nationalism for which the national front should stands is the concept of freedom and prosperity for the Baloch people in their own land. It should be a struggle of the Baloch people, inspired by their own suffering and their own experience.

Baloch National Front should be the most consistent advocate of an inclusive Baloch nationhood rooted in the Baloch history and cultural traditions with an outlook of modernity and keeping in to account the realities and imperatives of 21st century world polity. Therefore, not only the substance but the form of structural creations must be in a way which the people can see - give expression to the main emphasis of the present stage of our struggle. This national front will definitely withstood the onslaught of state action and propaganda which sadly enough very often is carried out by or through some “Baloch leaders”, through ignorance and fear but worse through selfishness, assist the oppressors directly or indirectly and thus tend to sabotage, though ineffectively, the efforts of Baloch masses to realize freedom in their lifetime.

The history of the liberation of people from the domination of another nation has always been through a terrific struggle involving much sacrifice and suffering on the part of the oppressed and that, therefore, the oppressed can have no cause to believe that they can attain freedom otherwise. All over the world and through all ages, liberation has come that way. Experiences of past Pakistani actions and taking into account of mindset of majority nationality in Pakistan it is convincing to believe that an armed resistance movement would offer the state of Pakistan limitless opportunities for the indiscriminate slaughter of Baloch people. But many in Baloch circles are in the opinion that as Baloch land is already drenched with the blood of innocent Baloch that it is the duty of every Baloch, to make preparations as a long-term undertaking, to use force in order to defend them against force. The ideal of liberation of one’s people and land is cherish-able and worth fighting for and if needs be it is an ideal for which one should be prepared to die.

Statements of Baloch nationslists on the arrest of Durfishan Baloch

2005-06-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Baloch unity strongly condemns the arrests of BSO activists.

We all are deeply shocked and concerned with the news of the arrests of Durfishan Baloch and many other BSO activists in Quetta by Pakistani state agencies. We strongly condemn these arrests. And request the world community to condemn these illegal arrests and demand their immediate and unconditional release. We assure our BSO (united) that you are not alone in this long struggle and that we are all with you. Baloch unity and Baloch community from around the world demand unconditional and immediate release of all BSO leaders and political activists, who are being held illegally in secret locations By Pakistani Government agencies and are being tortured.

Dr Jumma Khan Marri
Baloch Unity
http://balochunity.org

We all are deeply shocked and concerend with the news of
the arrest of Durfishan Baloch and other BSO activits in Quetta by Paki police. we condemn these arrests in the strongest terms possibl. Please let the BSO(united) know that you all are not alone in this struggle and that we are all with you . Baloch Society Of North America (BSO-NA) demands unconditional and immediate release all BSO leaders and political activists, who are being held illegally in secret locations By Paki Govt and are being tortured. Dr. Wahid Baloch, (BSO_NA), USA.

Allah Nazar wrote:
joint Secretary durufshan baloch and other many workers of BSO(united) arrested
According to the Central press release of BSO united today in the shatter down strike of BSO (united) Pakistani police arrested the joint Secretary of BSO and many other members of the Baloch Students Organization from SHALL(Quetta) , BSO strongly can dams the arrest of BSO leadership it is the chain of arresting BSO leadership just on 24march Central leadership was kidnapped and still 3 central leaders of BSO are missing these arrest cant stop Baloch Students Organization from the struggle for the right of self determination of Baluchistan

Baloch Students Organization

PAKISTAN - The Social Meltdown

2005-06-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

The Social Meltdown

By: Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur

The Dayaks of Borneo are famous for their head-hunting and shrinking the head which they used to display as coveted trophies. Considered primitive and uncivilized for their head hunting their violence was not the wanton violence that we today witness on the streets of Karachi and other Pakistani cities where worshipping places, shrines, Ulemas, political leaders and innocent people all become the victims of violence perpetrated by deranged minds who are certainly exhorted on to that sort of violence by even more remarkably warped ideologies and minds.

A Dayak head hunter considered it immoral to kill someone he didn’t know or didn’t have a score to settle with. The Dayaks were baffled when they learnt how the supposedly civilized people used bombs and other weaponry to kill and maim each other, killing of strangers and consequently the innocents with whom they had no feud with was something reprehensible and revolting to them because the wanton violence as practiced by the supposedly civilized societies had no place even in their primitive society. The so called uncivilized Dayaks were a lot more civil and refined in their violence than the people residing within the boundaries of this Islamic Republic. Here the violence is as wanton as it is senseless and immoral. We need to learn from the Dayaks.

What we are witnessing and experiencing in the this country is a sign of the deep rooted social malady afflicting this country, in fact it is the Social Meltdown that we are undergoing. Things are going to get a lot more worse before they start getting better, that is, if they ever start getting better here considering the shortsightedness of the ruling elite and their desire to cling to the power at any cost, compounded by the connivance and complicity of the political parties blinded by their urge and desire to be a party to the loot and plunder unleashed upon this blighted country. Politicians of easy virtue are a bane for any country and here we have them in excess. Unfortunately it also seems that the people having become disenchanted with their political and religious leaders have abdicated their right to resist the injustices and excesses perpetrated by the governments or the religious or political outfits. It wouldn’t be farfetched if someone were to assert that these regions have been in social regression since the times of Mohen Jo Daro and Harrapa civilizations.

Acts of indiscriminate violence do take place in other countries of this region but as exceptions and not the rule. Apart from the destruction of peace and unnecessary loss of life and property here it gives Islam and the Muslims a very bad image the world over because most if not all of the violence here is motivated by religious hatred and bigotry. The suicide bombing of Bari Imam Shrine or the Madinataul Ilm Mosque, which incidentally came after the qualified condemnation of suicide bombing by some Ulemas, and the resulting violence in Karachi which saw the death of six innocent employees of a restaurant and the torching of petrol pumps and numerous vehicles were a part of the pattern that has seen considerable increase in the recent years and becomes increasingly vicious with each passing incident. Recent years have seen an increase in the sectarian violence and its back lash, neither sect can be absolved of the crimes and outrages committed in the name of religion.

This kind of violence will certainly not be the last here because as long as there people here who not only have warped belief systems but also have the opportunity to preach and propagate their views to people who are disenchanted with life due to the miseries of economic and social hardships and are forced to seek salvation in the other world. The government has not only failed in providing a peaceful environment to its citizens but has also been guilty of willfully promoting violence due to its outdated laws and flawed policing system. It will be interesting to note that there has been not a single case of prosecution of those who are involved in acts of violence or of those who exhort them to violence. The breeding grounds of this wanton violence continue to prosper and flourish. Such violence gains impetus and momentum when the government of Enlightened Moderation backtracks on issues like Hudood Ordinances and the president calls people demanding rights for the people a ‘liberal minority’.

The Government and its various agencies preach and practice violence. In front of me is the Metropolitan section of the Dawn newspaper of 2nd June 2005 and in it is a picture under the news “22 held in Malir disturbances”. The image is reminiscent of the Israeli occupation of Al Quds, some eight blindfolded half stripped youth are sprawled on the road one of the Ranger is stomping on a youth , the scowling and sneering Rangers personnel in no way seem to be of the same country or the nation as of the youth sprawled on the road. This image vividly portrays the attitude of the government towards its people. Violence begets violence, when these youth will get a chance to get even they’ll try to destroy, maim or kill anyone without any compunction and discrimination because they themselves were victims of indiscriminate violence. The journalists and the Human Rights activists recently were victims of governmental violence just because someone thought they were getting too big for their boots and needed to be cut down to size lest they became over enthusiastic in their demands for rights for the people and too blatant in their criticism of the government.

A sense of total alienation prevails among the people who think that they do not have a stake in this country or that the assets of the community are their own, so it is little wonder that whenever there are opportunities the people go on a rampage destroying and vandalizing without discrimination. It will be of interest to note that the violence is always at its worst in the areas which were slums not very long ago. It seems the physical appearance of these areas has changed but the social environment remains the same. People who are economically insecure carry a grudge and resentment against the society as they have nothing to lose. Population living below the poverty line in this country has risen considerably in spite of the claims to the contrary by the government and the more the poverty grinds the people the more violence there will be. Poverty reduction programmes are taking us nowhere as the sums earmarked are parceled out between different quarters and very little trickles down to the intended level. The ground realities belie the growth figures that the government occasionally state in favour of their contentions.

The unbridled urbanization has led to a social vacuum and aggravated the problems of poverty. This urbanization has seen the disappearance of all social checks and balances which are needed to keep the social fabric intact. The basic social unit, the family has suffered the most and that is the reason for the mayhem that we see and experience in our daily life here. Where the writ of the government ends the writ of the family or the social system takes over but here in present day Pakistan neither there is the governmental writ nor there is the writ of social system or the family and this has led to the breakdown of the social order. The existing systems have been condemned and put into disuse with nothing to replace them with the consequence that there is no check on the activity of the members of society who then readily adopt belief systems which stand contrary to once accepted norms and basis of civil society . Moral condemnation of acts violence and dishonesty by the family and the community had an effective deterrent value but of late it has vanished as a factor. This has led to social and moral meltdown the consequences of which we are witnessing today in form of this senseless violence and brazenly glorified corruption prevalent here.

The rural communities too have seen a breakdown of the society and its checks and balances but not to the extent that we see it in urban areas and there is still a spirit of tolerance prevailing in those communities due to which there has hardly been any violence that has come to be identified with the urban centres here. Gradually the foundations of the existing norms and conventions which have helped maintain peace there are crumbling away diminishing the hopes of everlasting peace there. The erosion of the conventions is being speeded up by the increasing economic difficulties and the aggressive thrust of preachers and propagators of religious bigotry there. Once mayhem and violence takes a foothold in the peaceful rural communities of this country the social meltdown will be complete and that will spell doom for this blighted country.

For this country to survive as a socially, politically and economically viable state it is imperative that the rulers awaken from their somnambulant state and give back the people their right to live a dignified life without fear of police or LEAs repression and the fear of destitution. The people need to given a sense of participation and involvement in well being of this country to ensure that warped belief systems do not become the norm. But then I maybe asking too much of the pampered, protected and self-righteous rulers who consider themselves as God given gifts to the people, those who spend millions of scarce and hard earned money on their junkets, on their favourite toys like bullet proof Mercedes and the near obsolete and strategically worthless F16s to have any feelings or compassion for the wretched masses of this blighted country.

Mr. Jamali woke up at last he needs a cup of tea to keep him fresh as we noticed these people wake up only when they are out of power, we expect similar awakening from our Baloch leady Zubaida Jalal, but only when she is out of her ministerial job.

Not bad but could be more batter.

Have your say about these awakenings

Baloch Unity

Jamali blasts govt on privatisation, NFC, imports

From UMAR CHEEMA
ISLAMABAD - In a rare display of independence, former PM Mir Zafarullah Jamali Saturday disregarded party line as he criticised the government over NFC Award delay, privatisation of profit-earning departments, and import of food items from India in National Assembly Saturday.
Jamali, who took intermittent sips of water during his speech, said the budget his government had presented last year with Shaukat as then Finance Minister, has not been fully implemented. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who was in the house during Jamali’s outburst, listened with his head down - busy taking notes or sometimes murmuring with the lawmakers sitting beside him.
After having made his forthright comments, Jamali said it was his right to criticise the government but he also extends his cooperation to Shaukat Aziz if he needs any advice from him.
About his resignation from the PM office, he said he did it in the best interest of parliament and democracy. “There would have been neither the present Parliament nor the Prime Minister had I refused to quit as PM,” he said.
Jamali also talked about Balochistan crisis as well as political rights and warned the champions of democracy sitting in the government against political victimisation of the opponents.
As soon Jamali ended his speech, State Minister Ishaq Khakwani questioned consumption of Rs 1.5 billion funds by Jamali in his Naseerabad constituency.
In response to Khakwani’s objections, Jamali asked him to change the habit of opposition for the sake of opposition.
When Khakwani said that the former PM should be punished for this injustice, Jamali said that he is ready to explain if government holds an inquiry into the matter.
However, Health Minister Naseer Khan and MNA Riaz Pirzada rescued Jamali when they asked Khakwani not to be arrogant, saying he (Jamali) is a senior parliamentarian and PML leader hence he must be given due respect.
The PPP-P lawmaker Aitzaz Ahsan during his composed and articulate speech on budget questioned the huge allocation for defence and stressed the need for balancing the budgetary grants for defence and social welfare.
He rejected the justification that the past governments have made defence allocations in same fashion, adding that the same army threw out all those democratic rulers who made such allocations.
He said that his party has great respect for army, but its interest should not be in clash with the interest of the country. He said only those countries survived, which have social welfare system while those with strong defence but poor social indicators have vanished from the world scene.
Taking part in the budget debate Jamali, who resigned soon after his government present the budget, expressed his displeasure over the small allocation for agriculture sector that has played crucial role in GDP growth during this fiscal year. About the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, he called for early consensus over it and asked the government to give due share in the award to Balochistan and NWFP for poverty alleviation and development projects.
He criticised the government policy of privatising the profit-oriented institutions and said the relevant ministers are being pushed to do this for reasons not known to them.
“I questioned a minister the reason for privatisation of an institution under his jurisdiction,” Jamali told the house while talking about privatisation of the PTCL that has prompted countrywide protests by the company’s workers.
“I am being compelled to do so,” was his reply, Jamali added.
Jamli also criticised the government’s decision to import food items including onion, meat, and wheat from India. Though, he said, efforts for easing Indo-Pak relations, for which he while in PM office had been part of this process, are commendable, he opposed the government decision to import food items from India.
Instead of giving incentives to growers here, the government is planning to import foodstuff from India, he maintained.
Jamali urged the Opposition Leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman to play his due political role and remove differences within Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal.
About his ouster from the PM office, he said that he was not forced to quit but he had himself resigned. He termed President Musharraf as his benefactor, who approved his ascendancy to the PM office, and thanked the PML leadership and allied components, which had elected him as Leader of the House.
“One should not complain against the benefactors,” he said while lauding Musharraf’s efforts for steering the country out of crisis.
Jamali talked about the political victimisation that has been a practice of every government against its opponents and urged the champions of democracy in the government to stop punishing the opposition members.
Rai Mansab, State Minister Amin Aslam, Maulana Abdul Malik, Maulana Ghafoor Haideri, Abid Omang, Maulana Amanullah, Shagufta Jumani, Anwar Bhutto, Akbar Chitrali, Hizbullah Bhuggio, and others also spoke on the occasion.
National Assembly Speaker adjourned the session in the evening after allowing scores of parliamentarians to speak on the proposed budget for 2005-06. The House will resume its proceeding on Monday afternoon.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/june-2005/12/index4.php

Iran, India upbeat on gas pipeline project

TEHRAN: Energy ministers from Iran and India voiced hope on Saturday that negotiations would be wrapped up soon on a proposed multi-billion dollar pipeline between the two countries that will run across Pakistan.

Iran’s Bijan Namdar Zanghaneh and his Indian counterpart Mani Shankar Aiyar also discussed a deal for Tehran to deliver gas to India and plans for an Indian role in developing oil and gas fields in Iran, news agencies reported.

"Negotiations are progressing well on developing oil cooperation between the two countries," Zanganeh was quoted as saying by the ISNA student news agency.

"The two ministers voiced hope that these negotiations (on the Iran-India pipeline) will be finalised in the near future," the agency added.

The 2,600-kilometre overland gas pipeline project with an estimated cost of about $4.5 billion has been strongly opposed by the United States because of its concern about Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Negotiations for the pipeline began in 1994 but made little headway because of tensions between Pakistan and India. But since January 2004, the two countries have been engaged in a peace process and relations are at their best for years. The pipeline will supply gas from the massive South Pars offshore fields in the Gulf.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

These border posts are only built only to harass and harm our Baloch people who live in both sides of dived Balochistan. We know these posts are officially called to enhance business between two countries but we know their purpose and know the realities they are meant to control and register the movements of our people and spy on us.

Baloch are already tired from these nets of army posts but these are in further violation against our rights.

Now having these posts we will have more hungry Punjabis or Muhajirs to feed as they will search out every belonging you carry between our eastern and western borders, they will not allow any objects to pass until you pay them bribes.

Baloch have bitter experiences in the past when they stop people who were carrying flours for cooking they called these flours as heroin but if you pay bribes then quickly these flours bags were renamed as simple flour bags, we remember recent out brakes of demonstrations through out Balochistan against these types of posts.

They are built to collect more illegal taxes from already poor people but Baloch must reject them and continue their life as before let them tax the caravan of ANTS.

We know Baloch know how to avoid these posts and Baloch shall carry on their daily retinues without fearing these posts.

Baloch Unity.

More border posts to boost Pak-Iran trade: Owais

By our correspondent

QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani has said that besides Taftan, the bordering posts of Radek, Chadgai and Gabad in Mekran area would be opened to boost trade between Pakistan and Iran.

These posts to be opened in Mand, Punjgur and Gwadar areas and all possible facilities, including those related to Customs, would also be provided at the posts, said the governor while talking to people during his visit to Pak-Iran bordering areas of Radek and Chadgai on Saturday.

An Iranian delegation, led by Tamandar of Iranian City Sarawan, Engineer Ali Ahmed Mujtaba, was also present in Chadgai.

The governor said the Pakistan government was keen to eliminate smuggling.

Owais said he had discussed the matter in detail during the visit of Governor of Seistan-Balochistan of Iran Hussain Amini and later during the visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Iran in this regard.

Owais also said it was decided to establish Customs House at three new bordering places and provide all possible trade facilities there. In order to promote legal border trade, the Pakistan government has reduced taxes and duties on various goods, he said, adding that taxes and duties would be reduced further and other facilities were also being provided.

The governor urged the people to extend cooperation to the government and play their role in eliminating smuggling. He warned that no relaxation would be given to any smuggler and they would be dealt with sternly.

The governor thanked Iran for providing 30 megawatt electricity for various bordering areas of Mekran. He said the governor of Seistan-Balochistan had also made assurance to provide 20 mega watt more electricity to the border areas. Power supply lines are being laid for the purpose, he added. Owais said the two countries enjoyed traditional, historical, cultural and religious relations and these friendly ties would be strengthened further.

Addressing on the occasion, the Iranian representative, Engineer Ahmed Ali Mujtaba, said the traders of both the countries would benefit from the legal trade facilities. "It will also help prevent illegal trade," he added. The area people also apprised the governor of the problems they are facing. Owais assured them to resolve the problems. He also inspected the border areas.

In civilized countries kids go to schools but not sweeping generals and autocrats houses but in Pakistan the life is different because the rulers are different they only think of their own welfare not that of poor people, had they spent the money which they spend on weapons and building new one, the life of these kids would be different.

Baloch unity.

Every fourth house in Pakistan plagued with child labour: ILO

By Waqar Gillani

LAHORE: A rapid assessment (RA) on child domestic workers (CDWs) shows that about 26 percent of the households in Pakistan have at least one CDW (between the ages of 6 to 14). The RA has been conducted by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) with technical assistance from the International Labour Organisation (ILO)-International Programme on the Elimination of Child labour (IPEC).

The employment rate of CDWs is highest in Karachi where almost every third house has a CDW, followed by Lahore with 28.4 percent, Islamabad 26.3 percent, Quetta 22.0 percent and Peshawar 21.7 percent.

The majority of the children in the survey came from poor families who worked in houses to assist their low-salaried parents to meet the family’s living expenses. The study has recommended four legislative controls; compulsory education, skills enhancement opportunities, awareness raising and poverty alleviation

The results also show that these children were also subjected to abusive and discriminatory attitude of employers. According to the assessment, 55 percent of the male CDWs reported verbal abuse and eight percent reported physical punishment. About 1.3 percent female CDWs said that they were violently thrashed. About 41.8 percent of the CDWs were between 11–14 years of age while 27.2 percent were between 6-10 years of age. It was found that every fourth house in Pakistan employed a child domestic worker.

The study showed that the majority of CDWs were girls (between 6 to 14 years age group) who were from poor rural families who had migrated to urban areas in search of livelihood. When families migrate, the pressure of urban life compels them to send their children to work in order to supplement household incomes. Girls who are already at a disadvantage with little or no education and hardly any skills end up as cheap labour in urban homes. The rural areas lack adequate education, health, development infrastructure and employment opportunities for economic advancement so the provincial capital city becomes a major destination point for rural migrants.

The survey reveals that the majority of child domestic workers (CDWs) in Peshawar and Quetta were males, i.e., 13.3 percent and 12.3 percent respectively versus 9.4 percent and 8.7 percent females. The picture is completely opposite in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad/Rawalpindi which have a very high incidence of girls as CDWs. This difference can be attributed to the strong cultural and tribal traditions in the NWFP and Balochistan provinces that place high value on family honour which is inextricably connected to the female family members. Therefore families from these two provinces restrict females from working outside their homes.

However, in this context the paradox arises that on one hand girls are protected from exploitative situations and on the other their access to education and economic empowerment is restricted. Interventions designed to change the
situation of domestic child workers

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_12-6-2005_pg7_23

Mr. Altaf is right in his words but his demands are not for Sindhis but for his Muhajirs

Pakistan existence is due to Sindh, says Altaf Hussain

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder and leader Altaf Hussain claimed on Saturday that the existence of Pakistan was because of Sindh. He said that Sindh contributes 70 percent of the total revenue received by the national exchequer and demanded of the president and prime minister to do justice with Sindh by providing the province its due share through the National Finance Commission Award (NFC) and to refrain from implementing projects about which the people of Sindh had apprehensions and concerns. ppi

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_12-6-2005_pg7_31

Mr. Musharraf got 10 huge plots in Gwadar

2005-06-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Mr. Musharraf got 10 huge plots inside the residential area of Gwadar so he in his personal bases is also in hurry, but the main ideology is that, to bring in more biharies and Muhajirs and Punjabies in Balochistan for their permanent over taking Baloch lands, as their bacterial multiplication in Punjab and Sindh reduces their space they need more space and resources for their bacterial multiplication.

President for completing Gwadar port by June 2006

Warns against obstruction to Balochistan projects

ISLAMABAD: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said the government is committed to develop Balochistan, however, it would not tolerate moves opposed to progress and welfare of the province.

Chairing a high-level meeting called to review progress on Gwadar development project at Army House in Rawalpindi on Friday, the president said Gwadar was the biggest developmental project in country’s history and it would contribute to ongoing endeavours meant for strengthening economy and elevating common man’s living standards.

He directed the authorities concerned to make available all required infrastructure facilities at Gwadar port before June 2006. The president said with the completion of Gwadar port project, Pakistan would become hub of economic activities in the entire region.

He asked the authorities concerned to expedite work on linking Gwadar with the country’s other main highways and providing water, power, housing and communication facilities there at the earliest. He also directed them to accelerate work on plan meant for linking Gwadar with Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asian states and China by road.

The president said the completion of Gwadar project would usher in the new era of development and prosperity in Pakistan and would generate enormous economic activity. This would also create immense employment opportunities, reduce poverty and attract huge investments both from within the country and abroad, he said. Musharraf said Gwadar port completion would also increase Pakistan’s trade with Central Asian states, adding progress of the project would be reviewed after every three months.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, on the occasion, said the centre would make available every possible financial resources for the timely completion of Gwadar port. He, however, made it clear that no compromise over the quality work on the project would be made.

Chairman Gwadar Port Implementation Authority Akbar Ali Pesnani informed the guests that highest standards are being observed in dredging of the port, which would enable it to harbour larger ships. He said the deepening of the channel to 14.5 m started in January 2005 and would be completed by June 2006. He also updated the participants about the state of civil work at the port, including administrative block, residences, access road etc.

Director-General Gwadar Development Authority, Ahmed Bakhsh Lehri, said that the authority aims at developing a modern city, furnished with state-of-the-art facilities and utilities.

Chairman National Highway Authority Maj-Gen Farrukh Javed informed the participants that a strict check is in place to ensure high quality of roads. He apprised the participants of the progress on linking Gwadar through road infrastructure with the rest of the country.

Later, Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousuf told newsmen that the completion of the Gwadar seaport and introduction of modern facilities would usher in massive socio-economic development in Balochistan. He said a large hospital has already started serving the people and technical training institutes are being set up to groom local youth into skilled professionals. Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri and Communications Minister Muhammad Shamim Siddiqui said they would strive to meet the targets and complete the projects in time.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

‘Arrest of would-be suicide bombers removed major threat’

ISLAMABAD: The arrest of two sisters, who allegedly trained to become suicide bombers, has removed a major threat to the country, amid a renewed wave of sectarian bloodshed, officials said on Friday.

Police had spent a year hunting for the female militants, who were named as Arifa and Habiba and said by officials to be the well-educated daughters of a wealthy bank executive. Security officials said that, while on the run, the pair had each married a top member of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group.

"It removes a major threat because such an unusual attack using female suicide bombers would have caused a lot of damage," said a senior official, involved in the fight against sectarian terrorism. "It would have set an example for others to follow."

However, the women’s mother insisted her daughters, the first women ever to be arrested on charges of being suicide bombers in Pakistan, were innocent. "My daughters are educated and religious," she told AFP by telephone from the family home in Karachi. "They have performed Hajj. But they are not suicide bombers."

She would not give her name, but her husband Sher Baloch Muhammad is a senior officer at a bank in Karachi. "They went to a relative’s house last year and have been missing since," the mother added. "We searched and searched but only today we came to know that they have been arrested.

"How can I accept this? Now we can only pray for their release. Everybody is pointing fingers towards our family, and we can only pray that peace returns to our family and our innocent daughters get released."

Investigators said the sisters were brainwashed by their uncle, Gul Hasan, who was sentenced to death last week for killing 45 people in two suicide attacks on Imambargahs in Karachi in 2004.

Police sources said they suspected the two girls had stayed away from the family after Hasan was arrested in June last year, fearing their own arrest. The women were arrested as they walked along a road near Swat along with one of Lashkar’s most wanted militants, identified as Saifullah Bilal, security officials said.

Bilal, said to be the head of the group’s operations in the North West Frontier Province, near the Afghan border, was married to one of the sisters, but it was not clear which one, they said.

The other militant said to have wedded one of the women, identified as alleged key suicide attack planner Asif Choto, was still at large, police said. Police say they suspect the group was behind a suicide bombing on a shrine in Islamabad on May 27, which killed 21 people, and an attack on a mosque in Karachi three days later in which five died. Police first drew attention to the two women in July 2004 when security forces were placed on high alert and told to look out for the pair.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

Six hurt in Quetta bazaar blaze

By our correspondent

QUETTA: At least six persons sustained burn injuries in a fire that erupted in Segi Bazaar Gulistan, some 75km away from the provincial capital on Friday. According to reports reaching here, 12 shops were gutted when an explosive material went off in a shop of the Segi Bazaar. The nearby shops also caught fire and it could not be extinguished because of non-availability of fire brigade there. Residents put out the fire in four hours on self-help basis. Some six persons received burns injuries in their bid to douse the fire. The injured were shifted to a local hospital where their condition is stated to be stable.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

Two killed over Karo-Kari

By our correspondent

JACOBABAD: Two people were killed on the pretext of Karo- Kari near Naseerabad in Balochistan on Friday. The District Police Officer, Naseerabad, Ghulam Mahmood Dogar, said one Noor Ahmed gunned down his wife, Ladoo Khatoon, and Azad Khan at village Mukhtiar Khan Buledi in the jurisdiction of Manjhoo Shoree police station of the Naseerabad district.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

The American must be convinced that the money they provide to Pakistan for social and economical uplifts are being used for wrong purposes and no relief to ordinary people.

They are being used to buy more weapons and development and tests for these weapons.

Such aid should directed directly to poop peoples uplifts etc.

Baloch unity.

US to give $200m budget support

By Our Reporter

ISLAMABAD, June 10: The United States will provide Pakistan an additional $200 million to support the social and economic investments envisaged in the budget.

An agreement to this effect was signed by US Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Director Lisa Chiles, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Economic Affairs Secretary Khalid Saeed here on Friday.

US officials said the additional funding was the first instalment of budget support from the $3 billion five-year assistance package that President George Bush pledged to Pakistan during his June 2003 meeting with President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

It brings US grant, budget support and reimbursements to Pakistan during the current fiscal year to more than $1 billion, according to the officials.

The funds would expand health care coverage, increase access to quality education, improve water supply and sanitation and expand farm-to-market roads, they said.

Ambassador Crocker said: “Pakistan is amongst only a handful of countries in the world selected to receive this type of flexible budget.”

“These funds respond to priorities identified by the Pakistani government in response to the expressed needs of the Pakistani people,” he said.

The funding is in addition to the $147.6 million in development assistance provided by USAID for similar purpose last month. It brings total USAID support to the country during the current fiscal year to $347.6 million.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/06/11/nat2.htm

Call for release of BSO leaders

By Our Correspondent

QUETTA, Jan 10: Baloch Students Organization leaders Dr Allah Nazar Baloch, Ali Nawaz Gohar and Akhtar Nadeem Baloch have called upon the government to release their members arrested in Karachi on March 24.

Speaking at a press conference, they said that if the arrested persons were alive then they should be produced before a court of law and if killed then their bodies should be handed over to them.

They said a Sindh High Court bench had on June 4 directed the home secretary of the Sindh government to produce the detainees in the court and demanded compliance with the court’s directive.

Those who spoke at the press conference included the elder brother of Dr Nazar and Mr Gohar, Safar Khan Baloch, and father of Mr Nadeem, Lal Bakhsh Baloch.

They said they would never bow before rulers to beg for release of their children and added that they only wanted that the government should tell them the truth. They stated that seven members of the BSO were arrested in Karachi on March 24 but four of them were released after two months.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/06/11/nat9.htm

Postponement of interviews criticized

By Our Correspondent

QUETTA, June 10: The Balochistan Unemployed Agriculture Graduates Association on Friday criticized the postponement of interviews for appointments in the water management project.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club, the association’s representatives claimed that 1,400 candidates from different areas in the province had arrived here for the interviews scheduled for Friday but the selection committee refused to take interviews on the pretext its members were busy.

They said posts of grades 16 and 17 were advertised in newspapers and it was notified that the interviews would be held on Friday.

They said the candidates occupied the building in protest when the selection committee’s members refused to hold the interviews.

They said representatives of the protesting candidates were invited by committee to resolve the issue after the occupation but the talks remained fruitless because of after they termed irresponsible behaviour of Balochistan Health Minister Hafiz Hamadullah.

They said the association would react strongly if the laid down procedure was violated during the selection.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/06/11/nat10.htm

We were always afraid from Punjabi, Muhajirs tabligi groups activities in Baloch communities, we agree that Punjabis want to make money on their lose war on terrorism we must be very careful from these people,

They want to link Baloch freedom fighters to al qaudia and want to destroy our freedom movement.

Take care.

Long live Baloch freedom fighters.

Baloch unity.

Brainwashed sisters

IT is horrifying to know that two sisters, both college students, were preparing to become suicide bombers. If they had succeeded in carrying out their fiendish deed, they would have been Pakistan’s first females to kill and maim people in the name of religion. Aged 18 and 20, the sisters were trained in this killing art by their uncle, who himself has been sentenced to death for his involvement in suicide attacks. The uncle belonged to the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi. The ban seems to have had no chastening effect on the Lashkar members, for it was this Lashkar which struck at Madinatul Ilm mosque in Karachi late last month. Driven underground, it has managed to survive and continue with its activities. However, the most pernicious of its activities is the way it is able to indoctrinate young people with its murderous philosophy.

Those who poison young minds may not necessarily be suicide-bombers or terrorist themselves; they are “ideologues” quietly working for various sectarian outfits. It is they who are far more lethal than the terrorists in the field. Activists and commandos are born because they are won over to the cause by these preachers, who impart a perverted concept of religion to the people. The fact that two college girls should have fallen into their trap shows their power over youth. The two girls are not the only ones infected with a dose of a perverted philosophy being pedalled as Islam; there are a large number of others who are regularly brainwashed into becoming blind followers of the preachers of hatred. They do not think for themselves and are utterly devoid of any human values that any civilized society cherishes. The only concept they have of religion is a totalitarian ideology which believes in the physical elimination of those who disagree with them. Governmental measures have evidently failed to curb the activities of the Lashkar and other sectarian outfits. Basically, it is for the ulema and the enlightened sections of society to counter this challenge to the very foundations of our society. Religious extremism has done enormous harm to Pakistan. It has not only given a bad image to the country; it stands in the way of the country’s development on liberal, democratic lines.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/06/11/ed.htm#2

US vigorously opposed to Iran, Pak, India gas pipe line,

Every body is welcome to have their say on this issue.

Baloch unity.

NFC allocations hit Balochistan badly

2005-06-07T06:15:00.000-07:00

NFC allocations hit Balochistan badly

By Rauf Klasra

ISLAMABAD: The population-based old controversial formula of National Finance Commission (NFC) allocation has once again badly hit both the backward provinces — Balochistan and NWFP — who will jointly get only Rs 54 billion against Rs 229 billion by the Punjab and Sindh in 2005-06 budget.

In the new budget, an amount of Rs 284 billion would be given to the four provinces under the NFC award with the Punjab getting lion’s share of Rs 143 billion, followed by Sindh Rs 86 billion, Rs 34 billion by NWFP and Rs 20 billion by Balochistan.

This is the third national budget of present parliament that is being laid before the House without announcing the new NFC. The new NFC award was due in 2002 but till date it is being delayed as the provinces do not agree on the formula of resource distribution.

The major hurdle in the way of the new NFC award is the central government’s refusal to reduce its share from the divisible pool. Provinces, too, have certain basic differences on the distribution of resources. The Punjab is insisting on continuation of the old formula based on population, Sindh demands distribution on the basis of revenue generation, Balochistan seeks a new formula on the basis of backwardness and area, while NWFP demands consideration of backwardness and natural resources.

Despite several efforts during the last three years, the government has failed to develop a consensus among the provinces, which are not ready to show any sign of compromise on the vital issue of distribution of funds.

Balochistan was also widely ignored in the allocation of additional amount of Rs 6 billion to the provinces in 2004-05 as the province got only Rs 200 million. A meagre raise in the share of Balochistan in the NFC is likely to touch the raw nerve of Baloch nationalists, who are already raising a hue and cry over the issue of lack of resources.

NWFP and Balochistan suffered yet another loss on account of fresh raise given to the provinces against their last year’s allocations under the NFC award. In the new fiscal year, NWFP has been given a raise of Rs 5 billion. A province producing hydropower will get Rs 34 billion in 2005-06 against Rs 29 billion in 2004-05. Balochistan has got a minimum raise of Rs 3 billion in the new budget as it will receive Rs 20 billion against last year’s Rs 17 billion.

However, the Punjab once again will get a big raise of Rs 21 billion — Rs143 billion in 2005-06 against Rs 122 billion of 2004-05. Sindh, too, has got a reasonable raise of Rs 11 billion in the new budget under the NFC as the province will get Rs 86 billion in 2005-06 against Rs 75 billion last year.

The budget document also showed that the provinces got Rs 6 billion in addition to their actual allocation in 2004-05. A total of Rs 239 billion was envisaged to be given to the provinces under the NFC. But, revised figures of actual releases of the amounts in last year showed that a total of Rs 245 billion were actually paid to the four provinces.

Out of Rs 6 billion given to the provinces over and above their allocation under NFC last year, the Punjab got an additional amount of Rs 2 billion, Sindh Rs 3 billion, NWFP Rs 2 billion and Balochistan Rs 200 million.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

We are proud for our brave and courageous Senator Sanaullah Baloch.

Whose budget is it anyway?

Sharp reaction to missing NFC award

By Rauf Klasra

ISLAMABAD: Ugly scenes were witnessed in the Senate on Monday when budget for 2005-06 was tabled in the House, as senators from Balochistan threw the budget documents on the floor of the house after tearing it into pieces and terming it a "Punjab budget."

Many verbal clashes between Baloch and Pakhtoon nationalist senators and treasury benches followed the tearing of the budget documents. The situation got so tense in the Upper House that, at one stage, all the opposition members walked out of the House chanting slogans against the government for its failure to announce the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, and fiscal bill was presented when the opposition benches were empty.

As Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan rose to table the bill in the Upper House after being referred from the Lower House, the opposition walked out.

The senators from Balochistan also accused General Pervez Musharraf of deliberately protecting interests of Punjab, and claimed: "General is only returning favours to the mighty province for giving him votes during his presidential referendum."

However, they claimed, Balochistan and NWFP are being punished by General Musharraf for not giving him votes. However, Chairman Senate Mohammadmian Soomro exercised patience in the face of provocative speeches by the Baloch and Pakhtoon senators. Instead of taking some drastic steps as demanded by the treasury benches, he remained calm and averted any major showdown in the House.

The treasury benches and Dr Sher Afgan praised the chairman for showing democratic spirit.

Earlier, leader of opposition in the Senate Raza Rabbani delivered a hard-hitting speech and accused the government of violating the constitution. He questioned tabling of the budget in the House without formally announcing the new NFC award as required under the law. Secondly, he said, the president’s refusal to address the joint sitting of the parliament was also a violation of the constitution.

Senator Ishaq Dar also lashed out at the government for not announcing the NFC award, and pointed out "many serious constitutional violations" by the government. Pakhtoon Senator Raza Khan Raza, too, was very critical of the government, and alleged that Balochistan was being exploited by Punjab. He claimed that the "depressed nationalities" were being exploited by the Centre, and provinces were not being given their due rights. He lamented that the Balochistan government lacked funds for payment of salaries to employees, and the chief minister had to beg from the centre or borrow from the provinces. He also branded it a "Punjab budget."

Senator Sanaullah Baloch was also very harsh in his speech, as he not only tore the budget documents during his speech but also threw them on floor of the House that led to strong uproar from treasury benches. Even the Senate chairman remarked that act of Sanaullah amounted to "insult of Upper House."

However, Senator Baloch lashed out at Punjab, and alleged that it was bent upon "naked exploitation and aggression" against the smaller provinces. He alleged that Balochistan was being "plundered" by Punjab and "President Musharraf was only helping the bigger province to exploit resources of Balochistan."

Senator Kamil Ali protested against attitude of Sanaullah Baloch, and said he was dishonouring the House. Senator Nighat Agha also objected to Senator Baloch’s act of throwing the budget documents. The chairman remarked that Baloch had hurt feelings of the members of the House.

Senator Mohim Khan Baloch from the treasury benches also protested against non-announcement of the NFC award, and said it would badly hit the poverty-stricken Balochistan. At this stage, opposition walked out of the House.

Senator Pari Gul Agha condemned the act of Sanaullah Baloch, and said he had actually shown disrespect to the names of God written on the documents. Her views were also shared by other woman senators who too criticised Sanaullah Baloch for throwing the documents on floor of the House.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

LG Ordinance amended

QUETTA: The Local Government Ordinance was amended after the approval by the competent authority, the Balochistan Local Government Board announced here on Monday. The amended ordinance came into force with immediate effect. According to the department, amendments were aimed at increasing the writ of the provincial government, increase supervision, powers to issue direction to Nazims and improve working relations between provincial government and DCO. The care-taker Nazims would be appointed by the chief secretary soon after the announcement of election schedule, the announcement said.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

Balochistan Bar Council polls results announced

QUETTA: Ali Ahmed Kurd, Kamran Mumtaz, Malik Mumtaz Mehfooz and Muhammad Hashim Kakar were elected from four seats of group I of Baclochistan Bar Council here Sunday. The group 1 comprised Quetta, Chagai, Nushki, Pishin and Qilla Abdullah Divisions. According to results of the Bar council,Abdullah Khan Kakar won from group II comprising Zhob, Loralai, Killa Saifullah, Ziarat, Musa Khail and Barckhan. Muhammad Noor Miskanzai was declared elected in Group III comprising Kech, Panjgur, Gawadar and Lasbella while Sardar Ahmed Nawaz was elected from group IV comprising Kalat, Khuzdar, Mustung, Kharan and Awaran. Amanullah Kanrani, Senator was elected from Group V comprising Sibi, Nasirabad Division.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/

BUDGET ALLOCATIONS: Health budget up by 26.9%, Rs 4.13b allocated

ISLAMABAD: A sum of Rs 4.13 billion has been allocated to health for 2005-2006, which is up 26.9 percent compared to last year’s allocation. The government has allocated Rs 40 million for medical products, appliances and equipments compared to Rs 32 million last year. It also allocated Rs 3.36 billion to be spent on hospital services compared to Rs 2.65 billion last year. Similarly, the government will spend Rs 283 million on public health services in 2005-2006 compared to Rs 227 million last year. The government has also reduced budgetary allocations for research and development in health from Rs 3 million to Rs 2 million in the present budget. The government has allocated Rs 447 million for health administration compared to Rs 371 million last year. In the budget announced on Monday by Shaukat Aziz’s government, allocations for all health sector categories except research and development have been increased in the budget 2005-06 compared to the budget 2004-05. mohammad kamran

BUDGET REACTIONS: Increased defence budget will harm peace process: Lawyers

LAHORE: The increase in the defence spending of nuclear neighbours India and Pakistan are enough to deflate the balloon of friendship, said lawyers while expressing their disappointment on the budget speech on Monday. “On one hand, we say that the borders are being made secure with our foreign policy, but on the other, more money is being allocated to acquire weapons. This act belies our claim. The money would have been better spent solving people’s woes and making their lives easier,” they said. “The roots of the government have weakened immensely and in order to prevent a violent reaction from the public, it has played around with statistics to disguise the erosion of Pakistan’s economy.” The legal fraternity said that ten percent inflation because of the federal budget of 2005-06 was “bound to multiply the miseries of the downtrodden masses” and called the budget a packing of words and figures to cover up the government’s economic failure. “It (the budget) is a document to deceive the masses,” they said. “Event though there is no increase in the electricity tariff or petroleum prices, it will not remain so for a whole year. Mini budgets will follow this budget, and increase the sufferings of the people. The government is calling it a tax-free budget, but the promises made in the budget will create frustration, not relief for the masses. “Budgets are not annual allocations of funds in Pakistan, they are a necessary evil for June. The real changes and adjustments are implemented the following year. The government is bound to increase utility tariffs because it has made firm commitments to international donors to pay back their loans.” “In the face of Pakistan’s gigantic inflation rate, a fifteen percent increase in the salaries of government employees is an eyewash. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_7-6-2005_pg7_19

India must know that this gas pipe line will have to cross All over Balochistan and then Sindh, Until the real problems of Baloch and Sindhi are not addressed in their satisfaction all Punjab and Muhajirs give security promises are nothing more then dreams, and ploy to trap India into another battle field this time not J&K but Balochistan and Sindh.

There for all Paki given security guarantees are irrelevant and unlawful; our hands are free to protect our National interests the same way as any other proud nation does.

Baloch unity.

Pakistan, India form joint group to help launch pipeline plan

By Our Reporter

ISLAMABAD, June 6: Islamabad and New Delhi on Monday formed a joint working group to get the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project “off the ground” early next year.

Indian Oil Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said at a press conference after a meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that the group would initiate interaction between officials and technical, financial and legal experts of the two countries to take the project to the implementation stage by early next year.

In reply to a question, he said the three sides would think over the formation of a trilateral steering committee.

There was no difference in the strategies of Pakistan, India and Iran regarding the pipeline, he said.

He said the India-Iran joint group had held six technical and three ministerial meetings over the past six months and the Pakistan-India group would also organize as many meetings in the next six months. He said the Pakistan-India group would start functioning next month.

Mr Aiyar said he had invited his Pakistani counterpart Amanullah Khan Jadoon to visit India by the end of August and he would return here in October or November to take the dialogue process forward.

He said Pakistan had also invited Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

In reply to a question, he said Pakistan had not taken up the matter of including China in the project but there were no technical hurdles in this regard. He said any country could become part of any project in the process of contacts of South Asia with West, East and Central Asia in the hydrocarbon sector.

He said the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan pipeline could be expanded to include India and Uzbekistan.

He said he had requested Pakistan to invite him through the Asian Development Bank in the next meeting of the steering committee on the project in Turkmenistan.

He rejected an impression that the United States was pressing Pakistan and India to focus on the Turkmenistan pipeline instead of the one from Iran because of its deteriorated diplomatic relations with Tehran.

He said there was no pressure and both the countries would take a decision which was in their best interests and in accordance with their future energy requirements.

He said the available technical information showed that both the projects were feasible but there was need to know whether there were enough reserves in the Turkmenistan gas fields.

He said Pakistan had assured India of providing best security to the pipeline and New Delhi trusted Islamabad’s sincerity on the issue.

Mr Aiyar said there would be no hurdles in getting financial assistance for the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline. He said Pakistan and India were economically sound now and international donors would never hesitate in investing in projects from which they could get returns.

He said both the countries needed to meet their future energy demands to sustain their current growth rates.

Terming his meeting with Mr Aziz ‘historic’, Mr Aiyar said he shared the view of the prime minister that the project should be implemented according to the best international practices.

Jawed Naqvi adds from New Delhi: The official Indian account of Petroleum Minister Aiyar’s talks in Pakistan indicated that the various proposed sources of piped gas to India through Pakistan were additions rather than alternatives to the Iranian project.

An official Indian statement quoted Mr Aiyar as saying that India was keen that the pipeline project got off the ground by the end of the current year.

The two petroleum ministers are expected to exchange visits in the next six months to review the progress made by the joint working group.

The statement quoted Mr Aiyar as saying in Islamabad that the group would “intensify interaction between the two countries regarding the technical, commercial, legal and other related aspects with regard to the proposed gas pipeline project from Iran through Pakistan to India.” A joint communique on the talks is expected on Tuesday.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/06/07/top7.htm

We know that the health care centers in Pakistan kill more people then any other battle fields, those who proposed this budget does not live in Pakistan, their children attend foreign schools and universities, they go abroad for their medical check ups so why should not they pass such hate full budgets.

If they care for the nation they should have done things rather differently, that is defence budget for education and health, the present education budget for defence then we would feel their love for country.

Pakistan spends 80 % of national budget on defence and on their secret agencies and mandling in the internal affairs of her neighbours

Baloch Unity.

Rs9.4 billion earmarked for health projects

By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, June 6: The government has earmarked Rs9.4 billion for the development of health sector in the budget for 2005-06, a 68 per cent increase over the allocation of Rs5.5 billion in the outgoing year. Of the budget for the sector under the Public Sector Development Programme, Rs8.4 billion will be met from domestic resources and Rs1 billion will be foreign assistance.

“Priority will be given to health programmes like prevention and control of blindness and hepatitis and women’s health at the lowest level,” said Minister of State for Finance Omar Ayub Khan in his budget speech.

The estimated cost of the 66 projects under the PSDP for the sector, including 27 new plans, is Rs57.2 billion, on which Rs8.9 billion has been spent and Rs4.8 billion carried forward.

The government has earmarked Rs4 billion for the National Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care. The estimated cost of the programme is Rs21.5 billion and Rs5.8 billion have been spent on it.

An amount of Rs1.1 billion has been earmarked for the Expanded Programme of Immunization. The cost of the project is Rs1.14 billion.

The allocation for the Enhanced HIV/Aids Control Programme is Rs253 million. The cost of the project is Rs2.8 billion, of which Rs220 million has been spent.

The total cost of the 27 new schemes is Rs13.243 billion and Rs1.9 billion has been earmarked for those in 2005-06.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has already announced that Rs2.5 billion will be spent on prevention and control of hepatitis, including Rs300 million during 2005-06.

The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Blindness will receive Rs310 million. The cost of the project is Rs2.77 billion.

Allocations for new projects under the PSDP include: Rs297 million for 400-bed women’s and chest diseases hospital in Rawalpindi with a total cost of Rs1.3 billion; Rs250 million for establishment of an accident, emergency and ancillary services complex at Civil Hospital, Karachi, with total cost of Rs1.43 billion; Rs100 million to provide MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) scanner for Civil Hospital, Karachi, Chandka Medical College, Larkana, People’s Medical College, Nawabshah, and Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad/Jamshoro, with total cost of Rs564 million; Rs100 million for strengthening of Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences with total cost of Rs587.4 million; and Rs50 million each for construction of buildings for Gomal Medical College, Dera Ismail Khan, improvement and standardization of district headquarters hospital, Nowshera, and Institute of Cardiology, Peshawar.

An amount of Rs32 million would be spend under the PSDP 2005-06 for the purchase of an MRI machine for the National Institute if Child Health, Karachi, and Rs50 million each to buy the machines for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, and the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College (JPMC), Karachi. An amount of Rs10 million has been earmarked for modernization of diagnostic and therapeutic services at the JPMC.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/06/07/nat1.htm

Presidency’s expenses increase by 179pc

By Arshad Sharif

ISLAMABAD, June 6: The financial allocations for the presidency increased by 179 per cent to Rs261.61 million in the budget for 2005-06 as compared to Rs93.5 million in 1999-2000. During the year 2005-06, the government allocated Rs261.61 million for “staff household and allowances of the President” as charged expenditure. In the 1999-2000 budget, Rs93.56 million was allocated under the same head.

The documents showed that presidency’s budget shot up by Rs15 million during 2004-05 from an estimated Rs212.14 million to revised estimates of Rs227.17 million. For the year 2005-06, Rs107 million was allocated for employee-related expenditure of the presidency as compared to Rs86 million during 2004-05.

PRIME MINISTER’S SECRETARIAT: In the budget 2005-06, Rs234 million was allocated for the prime minister’s secretariat, showing an increase of 44 per cent as compared to 1999-2000. In 1999-2000, Rs162 million was allocated for the prime minister’s office.

For the financial year 2004-05, Rs226.5 million was allocated for the prime minister’s secretariat. However, the revised estimates showed that the expenses of the PM’s secretariat increased by Rs40 million in 2004-05 to Rs266.1 million.

The budgetary allocations for the PM’s secretariat were decreased by 13.7 per cent in 2005-06 to Rs234 million from the revised estimates of Rs266 million in 2004-05.

NAB: For the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the government allocated Rs752 million in 2005-06. The budget allocation for NAB in 2005-06 showed an increase of 37 per cent as compared to the original allocation of Rs467 million. In 2004-05, the NAB’s budget was revised upwards to Rs691 million.

The major increase in NAB’s budget was for employee related expenses of Rs284 million and operating expenses of Rs425 million, besides other expenses. In the previous financial year (2004-05) the employee related expenses were estimated to be Rs172 million and later revised upwards to Rs215 million. Similarly, the operating expenses of NAB increased from estimated Rs279 million to Rs409 million in 2004-05.

NRB: The National Reconstruction Bureau had its budget revised upwards to Rs79.5 million in 2005-06 from the Rs74 million allocations in 2004-05.

PM INSPECTION COMMISSION: The budget for the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission was decreased to Rs17 million in 2005-06 as compared to allocations of Rs25.8 million in 2004-05.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/06/07/nat5.htm

Recovered child jockey still in govt custody

By Tariq Saeed Birmani

DERA GHAZI KHAN, June 6: A child jockey recovered from Abu Dhabi, whose brother had died during a camel race there, is still in the government custody despite passage of six months. The parents of the recovered boy, Murtaza, have approached Mr Ansar Burni, a rights activist, to seek his help for the recovery of their son on Monday.

Murtaza’s brother Kaleem had died during a camel race in Abu Dhabi, whose body was brought back to Pakistan on October 13, 2004

Soon after, Murtaza was also brought back by the Pakistan government and Federal Minister Tariq Azeem claimed credit for his safe return appearing on state television, but even after passing of six months the boy could not be handed over to his parents in Dera Ghazi Khan.

Mr Burni assured the couple that the boy would be soon recovered from the government’s custody or he would move the court for the purpose.

Talking to Dawn Mr Burni claimed that his welfare trust had helped recover at least 250 Pakistani children from Abu Dhabi from the custody of Sheikhs, who used them in camel races as jockeys. Now these children were living at a rehabilitation centre of the ABWTI in Dubai and would start arriving here from June 16, he added.

He claimed that at least 6,000 children were being used as jockeys in Abu Dhabi, most of whom belonged to Pakistan and Bangladesh.

http://www.dawn.com/2005/06/07/nat33.htm