It can only happen in the Land of the Pure; the Islamic Republic of Bananaistan. The very day it is reported in the national press that a former chief minister of Balochistan appeared in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and demanded the disbandment of the MI/ISI ‘death squads’, it is also reported that Zaid Hamid, the laal topi wallah, who is impendingly going to mount his white charger and gallop off to conquer Delhi’s Red Fort, has ‘hired’ Raja Irshad, the ISI/MI/Pak Army’s favourite lawyer.
Zaid Hamid’s plea is that the SC should form a commission to probe the fact that Nawab Akbar Bugti committed suicide and murdered five army officers too, and was not killed by the army. We are also told that the petition was submitted in the SC a full week before the news was curiously published on the day that it was. Let us also quickly note that Nawab Akbar Bugti, himself a former interior minister of Pakistan and chief minister and governor of Balochistan, was killed on August 26, 2006, almost exactly five years and one month before Zaid Hamid suddenly realised that the Nawab had committed suicide and also murder. In the petition’s words: “In reality he had committed a rebellion, waged a war against the state and his own tribe and when cornered, he committed suicide while also murdered (sic) five army personnel, but these facts have never been reported by the media, never taken up by the courts and the separatists are fully exploiting lies, deceptions and propaganda in the environment (sic) to wage a war (sic) against the state of Pakistan, against the army and against the former members of the government in dangerous times.”
May I remind Zaid Hamid and friends, of reports in the press that Nawab Bugti was killed. Here is just one, published on November 10, 2010 in The News: “In the case of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti’s killing, the source said, General (retd) Pervez Musharraf involved the then-Military Intelligence chief Major General Nadeem Ejaz and the top command of 12 Corps”. There are other reports detailing how he was killed, which constraints of space do not allow me to repeat here but let me turn this accusation on its head: what if the Nawab did indeed press the button bringing the cave down onto himself, his personal bodyguard made up of several hundred Bugti fighters and the army officers? Hadn’t this octogenarian, who could hardly walk, been chased into his cave complex by Musharraf’s army? Was he not surrounded completely at the fag end of his life with no rations getting through to him? Far more critically, did Musharraf not say in his brash bully-boy manner that ‘they won’t know what hit them (Bugti)’?
Indeed, it was reported at the time that “Security officials said forces on Friday launched air strikes against a cave complex in the mountains on the border of Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts where the chieftain was hiding”. Musharraf’s then-information minister, now champion democrat, Mohammad Ali Durrani, also said at the time that his death was the result of a ground-cum-air assault. Musharraf himself termed Bugti’s death a ‘victory’ for Pakistanis. What sort of victory was it when the Nawab himself triggered the explosives and killed five SSG officers too? Aren’t they ashamed of rewriting such recent history?
Indeed, the petition uses these words for Nawab Bugti: “... and when cornered ...’. Cornered? Cornered? Is this the language that the Deep State’s adjuncts use for political leaders of this country; for a former interior minister, a governor and a chief minister; a Baloch Sardar who believed in Pakistan? Shame on them. And the pauper’s funeral they gave him, his body packed into a rude, locked box, none of his close family there to pay their last respects? Shame on them.
And the denouement: a day after Akhtar Mengal’s explosive statement in the SC and the SC’s harsh admonishment to the ‘death squads’, the pathetic federal and Balochistan governments have gone scurrying into the arms of the Deep State denying there are any death squads at all! So, who is kidnapping and torturing and killing Baloch, Hazara and Settlers?
Djinns in green? Bugs Bunny? Why, Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo actually said on live TV so many years ago that they even knew the number plates of the double-cabins that belonged to the MI and which carried the thugs who kidnap. Shame on all of us!
Finally, kudos to Nawaz Sharif who has proved he is a statesman by meeting with and empathising with Sardar Mengal.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (37)
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@ Lalagee...I hope you have the interest and energy to visit Gujarat or Bombay, trust me, you will be surprised.
@Lala Gee
I guess the world media is stuck in 2002 wrt Gujarat... To enlighten you or any media person who wants to know the truth... Please visit Gujarat, any part of gujarat, Urban or rural... Just find out what Muslims there think about their state and their standard of living... You will be astonished to know that Gujarati Muslims are the most prosperous of all the muslims in India... Literacy rate among muslims is the highest in Gujarat, .... Rather than spreading hatred, i suggest, try to look for the truth... Now dont tell me about riots... it was and I am not denying it... They suffered... Our esteemed Judiciary is making sure that all the ppl involving in killiing, hindu or muslims, get punished and no body can escape... You may say, why Modi is not punished.... I appreciate Modi, but if he was involved, he should not be left... Law should be equal to each and every citizen... When it comes to living stadnards and development, Gujarati muslims and their community is far far better than even the hindu community of other states... Thats all i wanted to say, cause i am tired of gujarat painted as killing ground for Gujarati Muslims, which it is not.
@observer: @David Salmon: @Basit: Source? Laal Topi. He is a ‘Defence, Military and Strategy Expert’ and knows all about RPGs and blowbacks. And of course he was there as an eye witness.
And also an "Ideologue" who alone has understood Iqbal's ideas. And ofcourse subsequently copyrighted the same.
@Author:
"Land of the Pure; the Islamic Republic of Bananaistan."
Haven't read past your first sentences yet, but I am so much compelled to write this comment. Perhaps you don't realize that hate is not the sole prerogative of yours only but others can also exhibit the same towards you as much as you hate them and their beloved country along with her armed forces. Criticizing in a positive manner the social evils of the society or the excess of few Generals is very different than plainly insulting the whole nation and the country using deeply hateful derogatory expressions. I have requested you a couple of months ago to seek some professional help for your own good, but, I guess, you ignored it and now your disorder has severely regressed even further. If you hate this "Land of the Pure; the Islamic Republic of Bananaistan" so much, and instead of trying to accomplish an impossible task of changing the majority using your novel methodology, why not to migrate which is historically a preferred way to avoid sufferings. I am sure India would welcome you with open arms, but be warned not to settle in Kashmir, or Gujrat, or Bombay, unless you wish to end up in some mass grave or be slaughtered in an anti-Muslim riot.
Whatever.....it is true that at some points, not all, of time our men in power also lose courage in order to support contemporary regime and then any thing can occur. But to paint whole institution with same colour is not fair.....if in case it is so, then it can only be a small body of people who unfortunately got power to this extent in the past. Whatever is happened, it should be compensated because there is no other way to go forward. We hope to see any courageous powerful people in those upper most positions of our country in future.....!
The word Shame has been permanently deleted from the dictionaries kept by all state establishments in Pakistan since many decades back.
@author Honest Salutations from the deep of my heart..
Great piece by the esteemed Kamaran Shafi on this significant topic. There is ample proof to establish that Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed by Army and this was the stance of Army a few years back. Suddenly now they have realized that He committed suicide. As far as Zaid Hamid is concerned, he is a master of disinformation, king of propaganda and a joker at best, no one takes him seriously anymore. His crimes are not restricted t lying only. Its mandatory that any word that He utters from his mouth is not true. The most disturbing thing is that akhtar Mengal's visit and his 6 points are the last chances to solve Balochistan issue peacefully and Zaid Hamid likes are not allowing it to happen. In fact this petition will damage the the Balochistan issue irreparably and thus weaken Pakistan and I am sure no one will allow Zaid Hamid to do this.
@ author...Sir, I am an Indian and follow your columns regularly.Frankly speaking, I dont know much about Pakistan.... Could you please be kind enough to educate me as to what does Palistan want to be? this question is meant only for Mr Shafi...others pls excuse.
Zaid Hamid's petition has weight. Why an independent judicial commission should not be formed? Let truth come out whatever the truth is. The propagandists should then also be brought to justice.
Bravo! Salute to KS. You are my hero for writing the truth. God bless & protect you.
Excellent piece - Kudos for having the heart to criticize the Army for their actions in Balochistan.
It was long before predicted that Nawab Bughti's murder will make him martyr/legend and this will haunt Pakistan Army for generations to come. It is almost becoming a reality!!
@David Salmon:
@Basit: Source?
Laal Topi.
He is a 'Defence, Military and Strategy Expert' and knows all about RPGs and blowbacks. And of course he was there as an eye witness.
Islamic Republic of Bananaistan. It never sounded more funny than this..... LOL..... Islamic Republic of Bananaistan!!
Fraught as it is with enormous challenges, a possible way forward is to form a fiercely independent commission which ought to have representation from all provinces but must be headed by a credible Baluch leader. At issue is not only the killing of Sardar Akbar Bugti or that of the Hazaras and members of other ethnic and religious minorities, it also entails intra-provincial division of power and the role of the tribal system which is allegedly a big part of the problem.
@Rizwan: Loved the comment...Great reply to this writer..
I don't understand. If somebody wants a matter to be probed, whats the fuss about. Isn't it his right to approach the court??? So much for our democratic thought. Pathetic.
Completely agree with KS. The fact that thousands of Hazaras and Balochs have been brutally killed without a single conviction is the biggest proof of agency involvement. On the contrary, if they want to convict somebody, they can do it even on an unsigned piece of paper.
To those who didn't understand: Mirza was being sarcastic. Army has had its hand in every bad thing that has happened to Pakistan.
It is a widely held belief in Balochistan that many of the settlers killed in Quetta were murdered simply to further demonise the insurgents. Frankly having some knowledge of the base mentality of these 'super patriots', they could easily have justified these deaths as necessary 'collateral damage' for a greater national 'ideological' cause.
A very well written article based on undeniable facts. This article not only establishes the truth but also the role played by the DEEP STATE. It also exposes their mouth piece LAL TOPI WALLA. But the point is that by denying the tragedy of Nawab Bugti's killing and its consequences who we are trying to deceive? The world at large or ourselves.
@Basit: Source?
@ Kamran Shafi
great article. Why is Zahid Hamid given so much importance in Pakistan? He looks like a lunatic to me.
Kamran Shafi sb - stop blaming the army all the time. Enough is enough. The reality is that civilians are the sole cause of our problems. If they were in the right, no army would take power. Your venom spewed against the army reeks of personal vendetta.
From the killing of Liaquat Ali Khan to ZAB to Sardar Bugti, to BB, there has never been army's hand. They all died themselves or Zardari from his childhood was responsible for each of these deaths. The army has never committed any atrocity in any part of Pakistan including old E. Pakistan. If the SC judges are sincere they must announce their verdict without a delay and not keep making populist political statements. In addition, anybody including the red cap can file a petition in the courts. It is up to the independent judiciary to accept or not accept it for hearing or even send it to a lower court. When the writer and a common man like me can see through this fabricated case I am sure the judges can see it too and not even accept it for hearing.
How about you look up the facts Uncle Mickey?
Bugti fired an RPG inside a cave, not realizing that firing such a weapon inside a confined space would create enough of a blow back and kill everyone inside. This is called unintentional suicide which was even admitted to by those who were with him nearby.
Finally, kudos to Nawaz Sharif who has proved he is a statesman by meeting with and empathising with Sardar Mengal..............
even here shafi sb won't give credit to imran khan for meeting up with akhtar mengal may be shafi sb can't get over the fact that imran khan meeting with akhtar mengal has squashed all the claims of establishment support
still a very good piece
i agree with the title but limited only to you
I do not wish to sound too facetious, but this report sound as if it has all the qualifications for a rollicking "Boys Own" adventure novel/film similair to those from the days of the Raj.
It is suppose to be venom with renewed wisdom by this writer when its about Army or Agencies.
Salute to you for continuously raising the truth. Some day it will rise above all. God never changes the state of affairs unless nation strives itself to bring the change in it. After all how long truth will be hidden. It is just matter of time which is known to be very cruel and never pardons any one.
Strong stuff and I must appreciate your commitment to saying what you believe must be said. On the Zaid Hamid issue, this just reflects poorly on his mentors abilities to think for themselves.
Zaid hamid wants himself in the news no matter how. Remember he claimed that lone mumbai attacker caughter alive was actually AMAR SINGH.(KASAB)... He said this on same day when Ajmal Kasab was caught. How come he know his name is Amar Singh.. Was he dreaming or he was the one who sent Ajmal Kasab across the ocean... Kudos to your brave column Mr. Shafi...
wow, amzing, really shame on them. utter reality , red hat freak!!!!!
Zaid Hamid followers will now trott out their emotive nationalistic one liners that start with "I have tears in my eyes...."...They only have tears for victims of foreign agression, but are curiously dry when the Taliban behead Pakistani soldiers.