Scheme to Disintegrate Balochistan
By Sajjad Shaukat
After the World War I, Turkish Empire was broken by the imperialist powers, as it was convenient for the latter to control small Muslim states. In one way or the other, the same practice continues by some foreign countries which are acting upon their covert agenda in further weakening the Islamic countries on ethnic and sectarian lines. In this regard, being the lonely nuclear state in the Islamic World, Pakistan has become special target of external elements which have been implementing their scheme to disintegrate the province of Balochistan and the Iranian province of Sistan-Balochistan. While terror-acts still keep on going in Balochistan, but without grasping reality, some politicians, human rights activists, and media persons of Pakistan have been propagating against Pak Army, Frontier Constabulary (FC), country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI). It seems ridiculous when some of them allegedly say that security agencies are behind terrorist activities in Balochistan.
Notably, India, US and Israel have been internationalizing the Balochistan issue in accordance with their secret designs. In this respect, in connivance with the Baloch separatist leaders who have taken refuge in Switzerland, Sweden, US and London, these external elements use media, various NGOs and human rights organizations for false propaganda against Pakistan’s security forces and ISI in relation to extrajudicial killings, mutilated bodies and the missing persons. As regards the deteriorating situation of Balochistan and the missing persons, everyone knows that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and their affiliated outfits including another group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have been fighting for secession of the province gets logistic support from American CIA and Indian RAW—these militants kidnapped and killed many innocent people and the security personnel in the province. They also massacred many persons through suicide attacks, bomb blasts, targeted killings and sectarian violence. Therefore, they are responsible for dumped bodies and extrajudicial killings in the province. On a number of occasions, these insurgent groups claimed responsibility for their subversive acts. A majority of the disappeared individuals are also in the detention centers (Farrari Camps) which are being run by Baloch feudal lords (Sardars) who want to continue old system of feudalism in the province.
Particularly, BLA is also in collusion with some US Congressmen to get foreign support so as to animate the scheme of separatism in Balochistan. For the purpose, BLA and the Baloch feudal lord, Khan of Kalat had planned to take the issue of Balochistan to International Court of Justice (ICJ) and expected that India would pay $2.4 million lawyers’ fee to contest their case in ICJ. As Indian support did not get materialized, BLA and Khan of Kalat went over to US leaders to press forward their case. In February 8, 2012, three Republican Congressmen including Dana Rohrabacher, Louie Gohmert and Steve King tabled a bill before US Congress stating, “Balochistan is currently divided between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan with no sovereign rights of its own. In Pakistani Balochistan the people are subjected to violence and extrajudicial killings.” The bill favoured Baloch rights of self-determination, having a sovereign state—and must be afforded the opportunity to choose their own status.
Earlier, the US subcommittee on ‘Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ convened a hearing on extrajudicial killings and violation of human rights in Baluchistan. Rohrabacher chaired the meeting, while Lt. Col. (R) Ralph Peters testified. Lt. Col. (R) Peters is the architect of infamous 2006—New Middle East map and is an advocator for the disintegration of Muslim states on sectarian and religious lines. His map shows a number of Islamic countries including Pakistan as truncated. While writing in the June 2006 issue of The Armed Forces Journal of the US, he had suggested Washington about the creation of a “Greater Balochistan” which would integrate the Baloch areas of Pakistan with those of Iran—and the Frontier Province (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa) should be incorporated into Afghanistan.”
Although the US Administration quickly distanced itself from Congressional hearing by Rohrabacher and Peters’ testimony, yet US denial does not augur well with ground reality, as American think tanks, NGOs and websites go on instigating the separatist elements in Baluchistan. US State Department which funded National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Voice of Baluchistan (VOB) have been instrumental in fomenting dissension and nationalistic feelings in the province. It has been pressurizing Pakistan to allow opening of a US consulate in Quetta. The aim is to execute US covert designs against Islamabad. It is mentionable that the Tea Party members in US Congress, especially Dana Rohrabacher, Louie Gohmert and Steve King are reportedly working to create an independent Balochistan. Their leaders are angry with Pakistan on the self-created presumption of sheltering Osama-bin-Laden, and intend to teach a lesson to Islamabad by assisting the Baloch separatists. These Tea Party members who currently back the idea of a sovereign Balochistan were in the forefront of Afghan Jihad against the former Russia. They also held meetings with dissidents in London. While in connivance with the US, India has been providing financial assistance to Baloch secessionists who went into the pockets of tribal chiefs, leading the separatism in Balochistan.
It is worth-mentioning that if the republicans come into power in the next presidential elections, violence and bloodshed in Balochistan will have an upsurge, as the militants are likely to get more funds from mischievous members of the US Tea Party, representing so-called conservatives—raising voice for human rights. Some of the Tea Party members are reportedly developing relations with Baloch lobbyists from Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan, with strong links to Jundollah. It is notable that BLA, Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and Baloch Republican Party (BRA) had accelerated their terror-activities by targeting the political leaders, election-sites of Balochistan National Party (BNP) and the National Party (NP) including independent candidates to sabotage the general elections 2013 in the province. But by ignoring boycott-call of the separatist outfits, BNP and NP including several nationalist candidates participated in the polls, while a majority of the Baloch nationalists cast their vote in wake of threats and violent.
As a result of the elections, the government led by a nationalist leader Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has been established. He is progressive and moderate man who announced to hold dialogue with all militant groups operating in the province. By ensuring that socio-economic justice would meet with success, he played a key role in empowering Baloch leaders to manage the affairs of their province and also to participate in Pakistan’s decision-making process. And on December 7, 2013; local bodies elections were largely held in a peaceful manner in Balochistan. However, these elections proved that a majority of the Baloch loyal to the federation, as they have rejected the case of separatists, being projected by Dana Rohrabacher including other entities.
Now, by adopting realistic approach, US Congressmen must not encourage dissidents to advance their own national desires in order to usurp natural resources of the Muslim states, particularly those of Pakistan’s Balochistan by trying to make the province as part of their great game. Nevertheless, Pakistan’s media must denounce the intriguing designs of US members of the Tea Party, who are showing their hypocrisy and double face regarding Balochistan. Media should point out that these hostile members draw sanctified reference from British colonial era of the 18the century when a protest in Boston against absurd taxation on Tea (product) was held by a Tea Party as a measure of raising voice for human rights. The situation in Balochistan presents an internal issue of Pakistan which has mainly been addressed by the political leadership.
While, separatist elements are very few in number, and are not being supported by the masses in Balochistan. A few greedy leaders who have gone abroad to make money and get self-eminence need to be guided to remain loyal to their own country rather than further instigating their flawed emotional make up. US lawmakers must remember that if they believe in frictional politics, they will remain entangled in political conflicts throughout their life.
Especially, our electronic media anchors and other internal entities must indicate that the Baloch people are known for their loyalty and patriotism—love peace, justice and democracy, and will never be deterred by the violent activities, particularly of BLA which is illegal and criminal outfit, and is creating law and order situation in Balochistan. Its subversive acts will be responded with full force and firm resolve.
People of Balochistan also know that these dissident leaders are greedy and corrupt, who get funds from India, USA and some other EU countries in the name of Balochistan. They are enjoying life abroad, but their people are suffering at home. While BLA leaders are not only disloyal to their country, but are also unfaithful to their own people. In this context, the Baloch will frustrate all intriguing designs of the US members of the Tea Party by thwarting any scheme of disintegrating Balochistan.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
