Balochistan unrest: Shahzain turned away from Dera Bugti

Says his convoy was forced to return after his refusal to register names of those accompanying him.

SUKKUR: The grandson of Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti, Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti was denied access on Saturday evening to Dera Bugti by the Frontier Constabulary at the Doli check post.

According to reports, the President of Jamhoori Watan Party Balochistan chapter Shahzain Bugti along with his family members and other clansmen was on his way to his native town Dera Bugti from Jaferabad when his convoy was stopped by FC at Sindh-Balochistan border check post.

Shahzain was asked to register the names of all those accompanying him and on his refusal, he was forced to return back, the reports said, adding that he then had an overnight stay at the residence of PPPP leader Abdul Rauf Khoso, leaving for Jaferabad Sunday afternoon.

Talking to The Express Tribune Shahzain condemned what he termed the negative attitude of the FC.



“Thousands of people came to receive us at the check post and dozens were taken into custody by the Frontier Constabulary.”

The Balochistan government has literally ceased to exist, he said. “Being a Pakistani I can go anywhere in the country, but going to Dera Bugti seems like crossing the border of India or Israel.”

He said that besides his mother and family members, Bugti clansmen and persons belonging to the Hindu community, were accompanying him on his way to his native land.

Shahzain alleged that the district coordination officers, deputy commissioners, police and levy personnel act like puppets in the hands of FC.

“When security personnel start challenging the writ of the government, then what good can you expect? I did not registering their names because I know that tomorrow these people will be picked up by the FC and then their bullet riddled bodies will be found.”

Referring to the SC hearing at Quetta registry, Shahzain quoted the Chief Justice as questioning FC about why Bugtis were not allowed to enter Dera Bugti to which FC had replied that it was due to the law and order situation.

Discussing the elections, he expressed fears that without allowing the native people to enter Dera Bugti it was almost impossible to hold transparent polls. He demanded the Chief Election Commissioner to postpone the elections for NA-265 and PB-24 Dera Bugti.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2013.