So-called Baloch Independence Day
By Sajjad Shaukat
Every year, 11th Aug is celebrated by the Baloch Sub Nationalists (BSNs) as the so-called Baloch Independence Day to pollute the minds of the patriot people of the Baluchistan province against the federation of Pakistan.
During this day, shutter down strikes on small scale in the far-flung areas of Balochistan and demonstrations of small attendance by exiled BSNs take place, including active social media campaign.
The anti-Pakistan section of Baloch people propagate that Balochistan got independence from British on 11th August 1947. The Khan of Kalat (KoK) rejected the idea of joining Pakistan. Pakistan invaded Balochistan and took control by imprisoning Khan of Kalat and his family members within the palace.
It is notable that the insurgency of 1948 which started by Shehzada Abdul Karim of Kakat on small scale continued, because it was not supported by other realist Baloch leaders, and it was based on misguided thoughts suggested by few Indian Congress leaders. The aim was to destabilize Pakistan by creating militancy in Balochistan.
As these hostile elements, while following the foreign agenda of the anti-Pakistan countries distort the historical facts; the Baloch must need to know the actual perspective about accession of Kallat state with Pakistan.
No doubt, Baloch leaders and people of Balochistan played a vital role in creation of Pakistan, and ultimately succeeded under the leadership and guidance of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in achieving Pakistan as an independent state. In fact, Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan with a history of supporting Resolution of Pakistan-1940, which envisaged creation of a separate homeland for Muslim majority areas of the Sub-continent, as the Baloch had strongly opposed plan of the united India.
Unfortunately, there are still certain dissident elements which not only opposed the idea of Two Nation Theory—the fundamental ideological base for creation of Pakistan, but also left no stone unturned in misguiding the Baloch regarding Balochistan’s accession to Pakistan. In reality, before the independence of Pakistan, the territories which are now consolidated into the province of Balochistan did not constitute a settled province. Apart from Quetta District that was administrated under civil law, the rest of the territory was under Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR). The then government of British India constituted a special body of tribal elders known as “SHAHI JIRGA” for consultation by Assistant Governor General (AGG) on local issues relating to British Balochistan. On June 29, 1947, “SHAHI JIRGA” of the British Balochistan as representative body of AGG along with elected members of Quetta Municipal Body unanimously passed a resolution of forming part of Pakistan. The State of Kalat had customary over lordship on the princely states of Kharan, Makran and Lasbela. As these three states decided to join Pakistan in March 1948, the Khan of Kalat also acceded with Pakistan on March 27, 1948. The brother of KoK Shehzada Abdul Karim of Kakat having mustered 130 tribesmen started insurgency in 1948 which never took off ground and the matter was brought under control.
Regretfully, Baloch Sub Nationalists (BSNs) distort history of accession of Kalat with Pakistan and give reference of the so-called insurgency of 1948 by brother of KoK, whereas the document of accession of State of Kalat with Pakistan was signed by KoK himself as legitimate ruler of State of Kalat.
Notably, as a result of the general elections 2013, the government led by the nationalist leader Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch was established in Balochistan, while on December 7, 2013; local bodies elections were largely held in a peaceful manner in the province. However, these elections proved that majority of the Baloch are loyal to the federation, and do not favour separation of the Balachistan, as they have rejected the case of separatists, being projected by anti-Pakistan powers.
Even a Gallup survey of the UK official body, DFID, conducted on July 20, 212, had disclosed that the vast majority of the Baloch people oppose the idea of an independent Balochistan. This survey has also proved that some external entities have been conducting acts of sabotage in the province by backing the minority groups.
It is due to the progressive works of Pak Army in the province that a division has been created among the militant groups’ leaders in Balochistan. On 2011, I had visited Balochistan along with other journalists. I saw a number of institutes, set up by army, and these were providing education, especially technical training to thousands of Balochis. Besides other developments works, Pak Army was also imparting army training to the Baloch youth. So, the purpose of army is to uplift of the Baloch people with creation of jobs and to bring them in the mainstream of the country. However, I had also a trip to far-flung areas of the province and witnessed various mega projects and mineral sites, protected by armed forces. People also told me that subversive events are being arranged by the minority separatist elements so as to create chaotic situation in the province.
Similarly, CPEC which is a game changer, will not only develop Balochistan, but will also provide employment to the Baloch.
As regards the deteriorating situation of Balochistan and the missing persons, everyone knows that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Salvation Front (BSF) 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, Indian RAW, and Israeli Mossad.
In this respect, in the recent past, new wave of terrorism in Pakistan, especially Balochistan killed several innocent people, while various terrorist outfits, particularly the Islamic State group (Also known as Daesh, ISIS, ISIL), and the affiliated faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar (TTP-JA also known as JuA) claimed responsibility for these brutal acts. TTP based in Afghanistan has its connections with ISIL and other terrorist organizations and affiliated terror groups, including Baloch separatist elements, and all these outfits are promoting the anti-Pakistan agenda of the foreign entities against Pakistan. As part of the double game, CIA, RAW, Mossad and Afghan intelligence agency, National Directorate of Security (NDS) which are in collaboration, are using these terror outfits in destabilizing Pakistan and particularly Balochistan in order to fulfill the covert strategic aims of the US-led India and Israel against Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran.
These external secret agencies are especially supporting the TTP which is hiding in Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. Reportedly, Mullah Fazlullah led TTP is behind several terror activities inside Pakistan, as the latter has also become center of the Great Game due to the ideal location of Balochistan. With the tactical assistance of CIA, particularly, RAW is trying to damage Pak-China CPEC project.
In the past few years, these militants kidnapped and killed many innocent people and the security personnel in Balochistan. 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 foreign-assisted Baloch feudal lords (Sardars) who want to continue old system of feudalism in the province so as to maintain their status, prestige and influence at the cost of people of the province.
It is mentionable that India, the US and Israel have been internationalizing the Balochistan issue in accordance with their secret goals. In this context, in connivance with the Baloch separatist leaders who have taken refuge in Switzerland, Sweden, US and London, these foreign elements use media, various NGOs and human rights organizations for false propaganda against Pakistan’s security agencies in relation to extrajudicial killings, mutilated bodies and the missing persons.
It noteworthy that the armed forces of Pakistan have successfully broken the backbone of the foreign-backed terrorists by the successful military operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad which have also been extended to other parts of the country, including Balochistan. And Pakistan’s primarily intelligence agency, ISI has broken the network of these terrorist groups by capturing several militants, while thwarting a number of terror attempts.
Besides, since the government of the Balochistan province announced general pardon and protection to the Baloch militants as part of reconciliation process, many insurgents and their leaders have surrendered their arms and decided to work for the development of Pakistan and peace has been restored in Balochistan.
But, recent blasts in Balochistan and other regions of the country show that the US-led India, Afghanistan and Israel have again started acts of sabotage to weaken Pakistan and to damage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Taking cognizance of historical facts, the idea of observing the as the so-called Baloch Independence Day must be denounced by all the segments of society, while, every year, the majority of the Baloch reject the call for shutter down strike in relation to this day. But, these anti-Pakistan aims of the separatist elements also needs to be countered by our own historians, analysts and media persons and through social media by giving true perspective of history and denouncing the hostile elements who distort the facts in order to advance their vested interests in accordance with the direction of the external entities who want to destablise the federation of the country.
These internal entities of the country must point out that People of Balochistan, especially the youth are very loyal and patriotic Pakistanis who believe in unity and sovereignty of the country. They cannot be misled by elusive designs of greedy leaders who plan to observe August 11 as the so-called Independence Day.
Particularly, media must proactively project the role of Baloch leaders in creation of Pakistan and in defending the state of Pakistan. For the purpose, talk shows must be held giving correct perspective of historical records by explaining the process of accession of State of Kalat with Pakistan and internal rift between KoK and his brother.
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
