Demise of Nawab Marri, who could've played key role in resolving Balochistan crisis, closed another door of dialogue.
QUETTA: Nawab Khair Bukhsh Marri was one of the great ideological leaders of Balochistan. He started his political career in the 1970s with the National Awami Party. In his initial political career, he, along with his companions Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Nawab Bugti, Ghaus Bukhsh Bizenjo and Babo Abdur Rehman Kurd, tried to achieve provincial autonomy for Balochistan. Unfortunately, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, under the pressure of the establishment, thwarted their endeavour, labelled them as traitors and sent them into a jail in Hyderabad. Thus, Nawab Marri became one of the founders of the insurgency which is still going on in many areas of Balochistan.
The establishment tried its best to curtail nationalist sentiments in Balochistan, but to little effect. Moreover, the demise of Nawab Marri, who could have played a key role in resolving the crisis of Balochistan, has closed another door of dialogue and so his death is not just a tragedy for Balochistan but also a tragedy for Pakistan. Those at the helm, must realise that the agitation in Balochistan is a political issue and that it is the responsibility of both the provincial and federal governments to address the issue as per the provisions of the Constitution.
Shoaib Yousaf
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2014.
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