QUETTA:
Welcoming a recently tabled bill on Balochistan in the United States’ House of Representatives, Baloch Republican Party’s self-exiled chief Brahamdagh Bugti expressed his support on Wednesday for any and all foreign intervention in the province whether it be by the US, Nato or India.
“America must intervene in Balochistan and stop the ethnic cleansing of Baloch people,” said thirty-year-old Brahamdagh, as reporters listened to his telephonic address at the Quetta Press Club. “We know that foreign countries have their personal interest but we must think of our greater interest.”
A resolution was introduced on February 17 by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and co-sponsored by two other congressmen in the US House of Representatives, calling upon Pakistan to recognise the right to self-determination for the people of Balochistan.
“The American resolution and committee formed for Balochistan is not against the sovereignty of Pakistan. Every country has the right to interfere or intervene [in another’s affairs] if there are state-sponsored human rights violations,” Brahamdagh said.
He went on to highlight how Baloch women, political leaders, activists and students had been subjected to enforced disappearances and tortured for years, and how under such circumstances, any support from any foreign country would be welcomed.
“We have been accused of getting support from India but the Baloch movement does not have any foreign support. However, we will welcome any support for independence.”
Sceptical of mainstream politicians’ and media attention to Balochistan’s affairs, Brahamdagh who now lives in Switzerland said the change of heart was rooted in apprehensions over Punjab’s sovereignty. “Pakistani politicians like Nawaz Sharif are now visiting Balochistan and inquiring about the plight of Baloch people. There are discussions and talks on TV channels and print media in recent days about Balochistan. Because they are now worried about the sovereignty of Punjab and [want] to protect Punjab’s interest.”
‘No negotiations’
When asked about the All Parties Conference (APC) called by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani over the crisis in Balochistan, Brahamdagh said that Baloch nationalist leaders will not join negotiations.
“On the one hand, they are calling an APC, while on the other they continue to brutally kill Baloch people and throw their bullet-riddled, mutilated bodies,” he said.
He went on to call on Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Magsi and Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani to also join the Baloch movement, leaving behind their “temporary” and “personal” interest.
“If they do not want to join the movement, they should resign from office and sit quietly because the Baloch movement is nearing its destination. Efforts are being made to unify the rank of Baloch leaders.”
When asked about the recent killing of his sister and niece in Karachi, Brahamdagh said that such brutalities will not compel him to withdraw or surrender from the struggle to a free Balochistan.
He also lashed out at the ultra-conservative Difa-e-Pakistan Council, which has announced a public gathering on February 27 in solidarity with the Baloch people.
“Where were they when Baloch women, children and youth were being picked up and brutally killed by security forces? There is no influence of Jihadi elements in Balochistan. These religious parties are backed by security agencies.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Balochistan chapter carried out a procession on Wednesday to protest against the US resolution on Balochistan. The rally led by PPP Provincial Minister Ali Madad Jatak culminated outside the Quetta Press Club.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (26)
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How much more foreign intervention do you want bro? Balochistan has been loaded with foreign intervention since quite a long time fueling and funding terrorism and killing the Baloch public and the Pak security forces. It is foreign intervention that Pak army needs to drive out of Balochistan. Pak army should have nipped it in the bud and now this has become quite a project.
@Travian: Listen to Sardar ATaullah Mengals interview to BBC. It will help you in understanding the reality.
@farooq: this is our land and our problem not yours
The only solution to Baloch and Pakistan's wider problems. Dismantle the wadera system. The govt should buy land at fair value and distribute it among the poor, disenfranchised Pakistani people. They have suffered a lot.
Another Libyan script in the making....
Don't Forget that this man met with indian Secrect agencies. It is clear from this meeting that he he is totally backed by india israhell and us they are just using him and balochistan to get enterenc in Pakistan. the only thing that Balochistan need is Education not india or israhell or us. You Idiot Stop using people of Balochistan For foreigh agencies and money. Balochistan is our part we will not let you use it for sake of india, israhell or us. Long live Pakistan if you wants to do something for Balochis provide them schools and hospitals to raise their standerd of living this is the only way of improvment of future of Balochistan
I think Americans has their own interest in Balochistan therefore they are trying to intervene here.Because here from they can easily will catch Iran ...And Nice story Shahzad sir .
" Baloch Republican Party’s self-exiled chief Brahamdagh Bugti " Y r sitting in switzerland ? U should be vid ur ppl is u really r there leader. Yes there r injustices happenings in Pakistan, but y only ppl like ,u who want to exploit the situation and use there own ppl as a shield to become ever more powerful lords with US And India's help, think that the rest of us will be letting ur dream come true.there is another way that is either we fight together for ur baluchi peoples rights (since we r woken up) and our common enemies (which r for the time being u think r ur friends). Or fight u fuedal lords and get ur ppl freedom from u (most of u sardars who talk about freedom spent many years in uk,russia etc) then ur ppl will get their right without any problm. Khas kam jahaan pak.
The feudals have underfed and deeducated their people. The result was that people from from Punjab and other areas migrated to fill in the gaps for professional and business people. Now they want all the migrants out. How are they going to run their independent country when they can't even liberate it and are calling for outside help. They should realize that they are being colonized because they are weak. I wish the baluchis the best, even if it is secession from Pakistan.
No doubt the situation in Baluchistan is getting worse day by day but why this man is not talking about continous killing of non-baloch people (mostly punjabis living there for decades and poor laborers) in baluchistan through his men (BLA/ BRP). If they are giving a tit-for-tat response themselves then how come they be considered as an aggrieved party? Killing of balochis is as terrible as killing of any other person belonging to any other ethnic background.
@ARkhan : if you had seen his photo displayed on press conference he would seem like a fashion model. this is irony these guys change colors quick when in balochistan they are cruel sardars and you cant imagine their cruelty and when out seem polished english.
he belongs to a class who only know how to kill and take and i have observed them and their people while they had free hand in their district.
All Baloch sardars live in absolute luxury with mansions outside Balochistan, in any case the ordinary baloch will die, instead of talking about independence, have they done anything to improve life of common baloch in their land? these guys dont even let schools or roads in their areas.
Come on Mr.Bughti, set up schools in Dera Bughti than speak about human rights.
I am amazed that Mr.Brahamdagh is speaking on the behalf of the Balochistan. If Baluchistan wanna a get independence, why Baluchistan Assembly do not pass the resolution. The truth is these feudasl do not have any say in the people. If they do why do not win elections.
convince your leaders n peoples of baluchistan.....lead them......sit on table for negotiation as per constitution of pakistan.....fight for rights of peoples......do development in ur land....u r precious son of ur land....GOD 'shall help YOU n your PEOPLES of baluchistan
Cool down bro. You need a glass of cold water before you start your say about a new country. You need to have a popular support first, and so far to be honest there are only criminals in balochistan, the public is not coming to the fore-front. Better live in exile and enjoy your time in Switzerland.
In reality this guy at most has control over a handful of bandits because the majority of Balochis do not accept or like his tribal fuedal ways. His father was an Oxford graduate but his own sons have never been given proper access to education. His family has a really bad record of oppressing their own tribe and engaging in brutal warfare with competing tribes like Marri. Hypothetically, even if Baluchistan becomes independent it will be a disaster because every tribe will compete to be the sovereign in charge. There are 27 districts in Baluchistan, and each has it's own different dominant tribes. Should we divide Baluchistan into further pieces of individual districts to make everyone happy??? Lets not forget that 50 percent of population are pashtun and hazaras and they will never agree to being separated from their tribal links in Khyber Pakhtunkwa
nice photo... looking like team caption...
Chieftains crying freedom from the comforts of London and Geneva..They remember how Akber Bugti died...of course we all do. What they have certainly forgotten is how the fallen Nawab opted to die. Honorably, with his people.
Actually people of Balochistan want independence from these feudal lords like bugtis who have done nothing for their people but for themselves. These are the friends of Pakistan's enemies and playing in their hands. Time will tell they are wrong.
State-sponsored human rights violations are not acceptable at any cost. I will request Mr. Brahamdagh Bugti to fight against all kind of human-rights violations in Baluchistan. The whole Pakistan will help and support you.
Calling America, NATO or India for interference will not improve the situation, even if they come to help you. In fact they will kick you out after using you. Please remember the end of all those who worked for these countries in the world.
He is upset and Pakistan feels for him. Best if he cools off. The Baloch do not understand why he is mad at them and conspiring against Balochistan at any cost. He needs to spare the people of Balochistan so they can live in peace and thats all they ask of him. Live and let live!
You have my support brother. The whole of UK, US, China, Israel, India, Russia backs you in your quest for freedom. Victory awaits you. You shall have it. Balochistan will be welcomed with open arms by the International community.