Talking to the media at Jamia Naeemia, Shahzain said that the government should bring forward proof against Indian actors before “reiterating India’s involvement again and again like a parrot.”
The JWP leader went on to present an eight-point agenda to eliminate the trust deficit between Islamabad and Balochistan, adding that no All Parties Conference on Balochistan or government package should be discussed before such a move, as the government could regain the trust of the Baloch people within 72 hours.
The eight-point agenda included demands such as the arrest of former president Pervez Musharraf in the Akbar Bugti murder case; an end to the military operation in Balochistan; the abolishment of controversial security posts from Balochistan; an end to the killing of innocent people; tracking down the missing persons of Balochistan; an end to the role of intelligence agencies in Balochistan; immunity for any Baloch being prevented from returning to their homes by intelligence agencies and the arrest of those intelligence agency officials who carried out the attack on Barahmdagh Bugti’s sister and niece on January 31 in Karachi.
Responding to a question, Shahzain said his party had already rejected the ‘so-called’ Balochistan package announced by the federal government, adding that the premier had lied in stating that 80% of the package had been implemented.
He went on to add that no Baloch was involved in the killing of Punjabis in the province, adding that even though an official of the intelligence agencies was arrested for attacking a Punjabi professor, officials of the Frontier Corps had him released.
When asked about elections in Balochistan, Shahzain said that the environment for fair elections did not exist in the province, adding that the role of agencies had to be curtailed before free elections could take place in Balochistan. Jamia Naeemia head Dr Raghib Naeemi welcomed Bugti at his seminary. He said he had invited Bugti to express solidarity with the Baloch in these trying times.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2012.
COMMENTS (86)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Terrorism in Pakistan since the 1980s began primarily with supporting the Soviet-Afghan War, and the subsequent war against Afghan communists that continued for at least a decade. The conflict brought numerous fighters from all over the world to South Asia in the name of jihad. These mujahideen fighters carried out insurgent activities inside the country well after the war officially ended.
The sectarian violence presently plaguing the country is also said to originate in the controversial Islamist policies of General Muhammad Zia ul-Haq initiated during his tenure as president from 1977 to 1988. These gave immense power to religious figures in the country, who in turn spread intolerant religious dogma among the masses, against non-Muslim countries in general and non-Muslims in particular
A Mullah ridden Pakistan will never stand on its feet . It is economy , education , and not religion that binds the nation.
pakistan based on primitive medieval notion of tribalism faith whose hellmark is fight kill and always stop public from innovating ,new idea,it is pity,whole pakistan is sold to america and foreign power, that nation preaching its citizen spirit of respect,to follow religion in state which should for whole citizen irrespective of faith,has been made to follow medieval tenets which are not practical in modern time,basically pakistan have failed state, with disintegration of bangla it should eye opening for military illiterate leadership not to kill national leader bhugti who was representative of masses, general parvez kill him, and even benezir bhutto,how establishment stop baloch seperate nation, if they belief in killing than negotiation,pakistan is bankrupt state ,it should respect and build federal structure where same liguistic,culturalisic,tribe feel proud being part of system coercion on them by power ful outsider is never solution, pakistan is weak state,balochistan is burning now,fie have reached majority of area, islam should be used for peace coexistance and tolerance, life is very precious ,not for killing ,difference always exist within families,so better sort out in amicable way
Looking at so many comments on Balochistan news gives me hope and comfort that Pakistanis are atleat thinking about Balochistan.
But looking at the quality of comments, I tend to think that posting comments from one's cosy home / work place in cities bigger and more developed than Quetta is one thing and commenting after first hand Balochistan experience is another.
Most of the comments are either anti Sardar type or out of fear for Balochistan Indenpendence / Pakistan partition. No body really understands and comments on the genuine grivences of ordinary Baloch and Balochistanis.
Mustafa Moiz : And any one who supports Pakistan on this and scores of many issues ???
@Mustafa Moiz: Not al att different. The shoe always pibches on the others foot!! At the current situation goes, Pakistan will have to stop its support to terrorists, or else the world will isolate it forever, and internally the country will implode. Pakistan is the only country in the world, which is shrill about its neighbours. All other countries are looking inwards to develop and economically uplift their own people. Somehow Pakistan is completely out of synch with the world of 2012. A few more years of this policy, and the country will have reached its expiry/sell by date.
@gulabo: We won't stop our support of Kashmir. And the two situations are completely different.
I would only repeat what Gen. Musharraf said at Agra but replacing 'Kashmiri' by Baloch and India by Pakistan. This is how it turns out.. "Baloch are freedom fighters and India supports them morally."
How does this sound now to my Pakistanis friends. As an Indian I also felt the same way then.. So please if you try to dig grave for yourself, one day you can yourself fall into it.
Keep your hands off Kashmir and then talk about Indian involvement in Balochistan.
Our all weather friend China is conspicously silent about the US congressional hearing on Balochistan.China has an interest in Gadar port.Gadar port is in Balochistan.I agree, I am reading something which is not there!!!
@WB: Wow what a nobel thought on ET?!! U mean shoot the messenger if u cannot handel the truth. The fact pakistan is responsible for the unrest in Balochistan and there is nothing wrong in repoting the facts.
@Ramanujam: No sir, It was Pakistan who created Bangladesh. Militiary Govt (Gen Yahya) conducted the most free and fair elections at the time when the Iron was hot. When Sheikh Mujib got Pardon from Pakistani Jails unconditionally. When Awami leage swept the government was not given to largest party. On Instruction the slogan was raised "Tum uddhar hum iddhar", then their was a war and Pakistan did not fight.
Gen. Musharraf killed Akbar Bugti. Why? Missing person are found killed Why? Indian are around Baluchistan Why? US resolution in favor of Baluchistan young and emotional sons of Sardars. Why? All efforts are to make the conclusion of Harrison Map available on NY Times and now on Net. Baluch are going in the worst hands of enemies, even Pakistan can not save them now, like Egypt, Libya, Syria , Afghanistan and Iraq etc
Lets face the truth. Post partition, Punjabis are the New Lords! Balochis are treated with disdain and are looked down upon, as if tribals are uncouth and like jungalees. Also balochiastan has been looted because innocent tribals dont know their rights nd their prosperity. This can never change as long as 50% of pakistan is punjabi. how can other minorities like sindhis and balochis and pathans gert their due? A further 4 nation theory must be debated. otherwise it will become a reality. Balochis have a right to demand a seperate homeland after all the atrocities and insults heaped on their society for klast 65 years
@Indian: Are you blind and deaf? Don't you what your security forces have done and are doing in Kashmir? It's a shame on humanity!!!!
if you does not get job to the people of the same provinces where there resources are exploring, does not give them due share of resources, does not give royalty of there resources , facing this cruilty from 1947, but when people belongs to land come out to take there rights instead of giving them rights the pakistan military and agencies give them bullet some time riddled in there heads , chest, are some time there boddies found in some unknown place in mutilated condition at the end give them name of traitor wow very nice this is only balochistan but sindh is going to be new balochistan as well if this policy is going on because rights of sindhis are also eat and and still this eating is going on same like in balochistan differnece is only that media highlighted balochistan but never highlights sindh
@umer, you are living in a cuckoo land, common man in India doesn't care a hoot about Pakistan.
is there any cctv footage of Domki family.
Balouches are the real Pakistanis who scarified in post partition. but ever since partition we are under the CIA umbrella who puppets our leaders and creates situation like balochistan. Barhamadag Bugti is an innocent guy whose blood is hot to avenge his grand father now and which veils all the covert activities carried out by CIA and RAW by killing Domki family. I am 110 % sure that recently domki women killing is not carried out by pak security forces. now Most favorite status given to indian will increase and repeat the covert activities within pak as already done by CIA.
Our leaders are the true loyal to the Uncle Sam.they left no stone unturned to destabilize our homeland.
Tribal heads of Bugtis, Marris, Mengals all have remained in power. What good has their rule brought for poor Balochis? They enjoy all the perks and priveleges, no matter they are in power or not. Corruption is their bread and butter. 90% of present provincial assembly members are sardars (or of somewhat equal status) and all are ministers. They move about in Quetta in luxurious Prados. They dont appear to have feelings about the misery of their people. Their claims of Baloch nationalism are just meant to fool their people to get into assemblies. These Sardars are just playing on public sentiments for their selfish interests. They just want money, nothing else. Whatever they say, is not the voice of misery ridden Balochis.
@Jat: Sir, please base your conclusions on facts and not on hearsay!
Is ET published out of India?? I have not seen such anti-Pakistan media outlet. Free media is now out of control media, we need one tough General to "sort" all these civilians. All these Bugtis are can be sorted out
stop blame game
solve balochistan problem
@umer: So r u suggesting that ET should lie and hide the truth in the name of Islam and Pakistan? Think before u speak.
@Faizan Afzal: The three tribes that you mention are the biggest. The only other one left is Mengal.
And what about all the money that the Bugti family has milked from Balochistan. Switzerland can hardly be considered a hardship posting in exile.
As a Pakistani, i firmly believe that the day is not far when this country will eventually break up into more pieces. We as a nation are a headache and threat to the regional as well as world peace. Forget about being at peace with others, we are not even at peace within our own country with each other.
We made up a country shouting the slogan of muslim rights, then we went on to establish a man made definition as to who is muslim and who is not and started to persecute those in disagreement. We persecute anyone who disagrees to one version of religion and politics we believe in.
May God's curse be on a nation like this.
Humm..finally truth came out.
I am Pakistani first and then a balouch. I hate balouch tribal system and the chiefton/family lord like life style. I am overseas and once watched a program where GEO reporter was privileged to tour of Mr. Bugti’s palace obviously the grandeur look was evidence itself of their lavish lifestyle. I urge ordinary balouch to pay attention. I believe balouch need to come out from a ancient tribal loyalty and devote themselves as individual organizing civil society and stop the blame game. Please take not so much pride in some natural resources that our province is blessed with. Remember they were not even discovered by any of us they were discovered by BP and Pakistani govt help develope them. Lets be Pakistani first hope things would smooth out.
Responding to a question, Bugti said his party had already rejected the ‘so called’ Balochistan package announced by the federal government.
pakistan and common baluchs can not be left at the mercy of few sardars supported by India USA Israil
I agree with ProudPakistani. He's a Baluch and I know many Baluchs who do not consider Bugtis, Mengals, Raisanis, Jamalis, Mazarris as their leaders. Many of suthern Baluchistan AKA Makraan Coast and Lasbela side are different from Bugtis, Mengals, Mazaris etc.
Having said this, I believe Baluchistan's problems can be resolved and are two pronged. First, these sardars need to wake up and start cooperate with Federal Government in terms of development.
Secondly Federal government which includes Armed Forces in particular they need to come out of their Punjabi kink head mind set. They need to provide opportunities such as jobs, and investment in Baluchistan and should stop this preferential treatments of their military fraternity.
In other words all parties should work to promote peace and absolute justice. In the country where you have constitutional apartheid based on religion you cannot guarantee justice to others including Baluchis, Pushtoons, Seraikis and Sindhis.
We all should be Pakistanis and should treat everyone equally regardless of ethnicity, religion, or nationality.
@Kulamarva Balakrishna: what exactly are you trying to say?
I fully agree with Shahzain Bugti, we must stop blaming all the unrest that is happening in Baluchistan on India and falsely creating the impression that all Baluch (who are agitating for their rights) are Indian agents, and treacherous enemies of the state of Pakistan, this is like rubbing salt on their wounds, the Baluch are not traitors, they are agitating for their rights.
Our politicians must wake up and smell the coffee, this is not the time for point scoring and useless statements, now is the time for action, they must take the lead in peacefully resolving the Baluchistan issue.
As a Punjabi I fully support the legitimate grievances of our Baluch brothers and sisters.
These Baloch sardar's are not different from feuds from Sindh, Maliks, Laghari's, Chaoudharies etc from other parts of country - the only problem is that these baloch lords they have not been able to make enough money as they did not have enough roots in establishment nor sizeable political clout.
A common Baloch is not much different from a poor in other parts of this country - all are living hand to mouth and under the pressure of local Lords.
No one wants to talks about why Gawader was made a failure when it was bringing investment, business, employment and trade to Baluchistan - who was the biggest looser in-case such a project had turned out a great success? why many mining projects were closed and many could not start ? Why Sardar's who were paid a share of SUI royalty have not invested back in for progress of their people?
Tough I feel we have not focused and given the due share to Baluchistan, the only way to solve Baluchistan issue is to create an environment where educated people are given a chance to represent the province and not these Sardar's - btw the same applies to all parts of Pakistan. We got freedom from British and Hindus in in 1947 and we now need to free our self from there feuds, lords and war lords.
Pakistan Zindabad.
Anything that goes wrong in India is immediately blamed on Pakistan. Anything that goes in Pakistan is immediately blamed on India.
WHY? To cover up our own failures.
DOES IT HELP? NO! NO! NO! ---- It only leads to hatred and further deterioration.
There are human rights violations in Kashmir by Indian security forces. Very true! And responsible Indian citizens have criticized their security forces' high handedness.
There are human rights violations in Balochistan by Pakistani intelligence agencies. Very true!
For people bringing up Bangladesh, they have to understand why the Bengalis wanted independence. The Bengalis were denied their due rights and considered inferiors. Result? Popular discontent demanding autonomy. West Pakistan leaders sent in the Army. What did they do? Killed 3 million and raped 200,000. Result? The Bengalis picked up weapons. Pakistan responds by blaming it on India. Was India responsible for the mayhem in Bangladesh before the 1971 War? ABSOLUTELY NOT! West Pakistan leaders blamed it on India because they were power hungry and corrupt. Result? We lost Bangladesh.
Well, Napolean was so right when he said "there are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit."
@DD: U think India wants to take over Pakistan. Not in this lifetime. India has enough problems as it is, do you think it wants all of Pakistans problems aswell. India didnt take over West Pakistan when it could have. People need to think sensibly instead of passing silly comments like every attack in pakistan is caused by indians and that any person who questions the army and ISI that has lost all wars is a CIA or RAW agent. People need to face the bitter truth that things are falling apart and the security agencies and mullah culture is responsible for it.
@Faizan Afzal:
How many peoples during 1971 was in favor of Separate Country ? if Percentage really matters
Starting is simple, it is a four letter word; Trust Going on is simple, it is a seven word: Federal
@Pro Bono Publico: " ... Who created Bangladesh? India. ... "
West Pakistani elite, with their supremacist notions were responsible.
Good to hear that there is some trust between Punjabis and Baloch. Maybe the youth of Punjab, Sindh and Pakhtunkhwa should unite with the Baloch youth in overthrowing the stupid corrupted government in Islamabad. 95% of the Punjabis who knew about the Balochistan crisis stated they wanted peace and prosperity in Balochistan and it was the establishment that was responsible for the current situation. So, Baloch brothers, please DO NOT paint each and every Punjabi with the same brush.
There is an obsession in the Indian media with these Baluchis, and that it somehow excuses Indian abuses in Kashmir. Wagging your finger at Pakistan doesn't make Kashmiris hate India any less. Two wrongs do not make a right, my friends.
@Indian: Who created Bangladesh? India.
The sardari system should be abolished. The royalty from gas and other resourses should be given to the provincial government not the sardars with an independent audit system to monitor progress.
@salim: I came to this conclusion after listening to the leaders of Pakistan's main political parties. I also came to this conclusion after listening to the threat uttered by Musharruff just before Nawab Bugti was killed.
Please also listen carefully to what Nawaz Shariff's condition were for attending the APC. Please take up this matter with your own leaders.
It is strange to see theese people holding others responsible for their problems without lifting a finger on their own selves/leaders like Nawab Bugti and the lot. These people were, and continue to be, only sincere to the money that flows their way every year. From ealry 50s to early 80s, when Ziaul Haq split the distribution, Bugtis used to get in the ball park of Rs. 500 million (50 crores) every year, in cash and kind, in so called royalty. They still get a huge sum. They did not spend a dime on their own people or the province, they themselves live like kings in Switzerland et all. Mr Bugti throughout his life was supported by India, especially in his last few years all the problems in Pakistan were routed from Afghanistan, sponsored by India, exceuted by his own army. It is time to face facts, the world has changed since the early 1900s - they may still be feudals in their own terms but let's see for how long, for every Pharoah there is a Moses....
@Jat: Please elaborate on how you have arrived at the conclusion that Musharraf actually killed bugti.
@Jat: I by no means intend to justify any killings, but my point was not to overlook his role in leading the current movement of Baluchistan's independence. He was a warlord who had his own militia with members numbering in thousands. He could have used all this manpower, money, and resources for a better Baluchistan, instead of running guerrilla war training centers, militia, and challenging the autonomy of Pakistan.
@well-wisher: and same for BLA and BSO Terrorists.
Dear all my Pakistani brothers and sisters, please be unit to save Pakistan.
@Faizan Afzal: Huh ? Only 3 out of 250 tribes in Balochistan want freedom
no all baloch wnat freedom
btw who is killing innocent army men, and poor workers from punjab. Not used the word punjabi, coz we are just Pakistan. It is not hidden that from the creation of Pakistan, india is behind every unrest in Pakistan, but inshaAllah indian's dream of akhand bharat never come true.
Pakistan Zindabad.
The least which Pakistan govt and military can do is to stop abductions and killings in Balochistan and wait for the positive response from the militants.
@Mustafa Moiz: You have a point. The truth is, every bomb blast anywhere in the world; the police there know Pakistan was behind it directly or indirectly. And strangely they are right 99% of the time.
@gp65: Every bomb blast in India, within ten minutes the police have evidence that Pakistan was behind it. The news of the blast itself is breaking, and the police know the foreign hands behind the bomb blast.
@Madiha R.: So is that good enough reason for the brutal murder of Akbar Bugti ? For your information he was the first Balochi sardar to sign on accession paper. Is that how you repay your loyal people ?
Now when i look back on the way Pakistan has responded to the US initiatives on Balochistan, i have no doubt the Pakistan is responding under panic and in a very hasty manner. I wonder why are they so afraid of any nation even mentioning Balochistan. Why this fear and nervousness.
Stop teaming up with Pakistan's enemy India, and stop the exploitation of the poor masses when indeed the killings and aggression are done by foreign powers - Bugti's partners in crime. There is still time for Bugti to understand that he is being used by foreign powers and to compromise and ask for pardon from Pakistan and the Balochi people for creating so much misery for them in his quest for power at any cost.
@Maryam: I wonder what benefit did Musharraf get by killing Benazir, if he committed the crime at all? He lost the power, is in exile, and facing trial. Aren't benefactors of BB's death (like Zardari and Rehman Malik) be held accountable as well?
@ Shahzain Bugti: Would you care telling what reforms did Akbar Bugti bring to empower people of Baluchistan? It's very easy to pass the blame and play victim. Sigh!
@gp65, excellent comments. Many Pakistanis defend the crimes of the agencies, who have reduced Pakistan to what it's today, by saying 'all agencies do that'. No. All countries, all political systems and all agencies are not the same. India and Pakistan are not the same.
@Organization of Pure Profit: The ammount of weapons shown by the FC were more than what the vehicles in his convoy could carry. We Pakistanis should accept are wrongdoings and pacify the Baloch populace, we did the same in East Pakistan, and repeatedly blame the Indians, while it were we who gave them the strategic opportunity to dismember us. Religion is a force that binds different races, but religion not in name, religion that gives a welfare state can only keep races together, do we really qualify as an Islamic state we need to ponder as we have maligned the name of religion.
Vienna,February 23,2012 Keep repeating WAR-RAWAR no need to call India of 1.2 plus billions. They would not even now what RAWAR ! Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
Fear Allah. Give rights to the people you rule, establish justice. Isn't it what we have been taught since childhood? Isn't it what our religion teaches us? isn't it what our cultural values guide us to do? isn't it what 1973 Constitution says?
Then why we don't? It solves so many problems for Pakistan. What is wrong with our rulers.... After so much innocent blood, we still don't learn :-(
Last night I saw my grandfather crying... and saying, this isn't the Pakistan his parents sacrificed their lives for during migration in 1947.... :-(
is the RAW truth...
Bravo Shazain. And yes we need Musharaf for killing of Benazir as well. Great demands now let all the political leaders should come together and meet the demands which are all genuine.
this is called PREJUDICE.
@Pappu Yaar Tung Na Kar: "Pakistan should stop “repeating India’s name like a parrot” when India stops repeating ISI’s name like a parrot. You give and you take"
Incorrect both factually and logically. Factual Inaccuracy : India does not blame Pak for the Maoist issues or earlier issues in Mizoram/Nagaland. IT has only blamed Pak for fomenting the Khalistan movement in the past and also for creating unrest in Kashmir.
ILogical Inaccuracy: If you simply discredit Baloch leaders by falsely accusing them of being Indian agents - it does not harm India in any shape, way or form. It simply prevents your ability to reach a negotiated settlement in the province. You have done this before with Mujib-Ur-Rahman. If you want to repeat the mistake , fine. The consequences are for Pak not India to bear.
@Zeta: Oh and how did you come to this conclusion that this man is a traitor ? Umm let me guess, because his reading of the situation is not the same as yours ? Or because he has a different opinion on certain matters as compared to yours ? Typical.
So why is your government allowing this so-called 'traitor' to roam around freely in your country ?
pakistan takes indias name as a parrot? i remember watching the news during/right after the mumbai attacks. on being asked about the casualties he responded with a huge roar of IT WAS THE PAKISTANI ISI. now how a local policeman knows that minutes after the attack is rather hilarious. the indian polticans live of anti pakistani propaganda and thats how they get votes.
Pakistan should stop "repeating India’s name like a parrot" when India stops repeating ISI's name like a parrot. You give and you take. For long India/Indians have blamed Pakistan/ISI for all their woes, it is high time they (Indians) stop and then we may reciprocate the gesture. Until then, Pakistan should continue repeating India's name where necessary!
I feel for Baloch people but Mr. Bugti should understand that by definition a state cannot leave its land un-defended and should understand that defense and national security is foremost priority of our army. I am not sure whether we have grounded evidence of which agency is involved, till now it's bunch of accusations and counter accusations over the media without due diligence and introspection. Without crucial evidence of who's behind who, no one can make a cake and poke a finger in my cake.
Mr. Bugti you were arrested with heavy weaponry in your private car. I wonder why your word should have any taste of peace or credibility? You can be a renegade in our democracy but that won't last long because it's time for reasoning and cooperation over a dinner table. Be a man be democratic.
Yes Agree..!! & to be more specific in Pakistan, people like you & other sardars have deteriorated the situation of Balochistan....so don't try to play like our leader anymore... It seems funny when people like Brahamdagh & Harbiyar acts as leader of Balochs...Sorry but such people can't become leaders...atleast I being a Baloch can't b insane to follow them...
"repeating India’s name like a parrot" .. haha good one..
Huh ? Only 3 out of 250 tribes in Balochistan want freedom. And these tribes are Bugti, Muree and Magsi. And ironic thing is that people belonging to these three tribes are enjoying some of the most strategic posts in the country. We love Balochistan. Balochistan loves us. We are one.
havnt seen this news else where. the indians must be jumping with joy. courtesy of the brilliant ET, always putting Islam and Pakistan first.
Our ghairat does not allow us to accept these kind of truth therefore we reject it and we will put the blame on India, Israel and America.
Arrest Musharraf. No biggie, just go get the guy already.