ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to Malik Siraj Akbar’s article of January 12 titled “Balochistan — point of no return?”
Baloch sardars are afraid of the process of evolution in Balochistan that come from education and media beside unprecedented development introduced in the province during the Musharraf regime under the military’s direct monitoring. I was, then, part of the system and witnessed this in the remotest parts of the province. The sardars only want their control back and they want help from the rest of Pakistan to harness the yoke of slavery around the neck of common Baloch people once again. There are several armed struggles being fought from there against Pakistan. Most of these are initiated by the angry sardars and often have help from Indian and Afghan intelligence. However, there are several movements that are fighting back these separatists. I would say many of the recent killings and kidnappings have been done to settle personal scores.
Khalid Masood
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2012.
