NOVANEWS
By Sajjad Shaukat
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.
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, it is regrettable that foreign funded and foreign sponsored anti-state outfits like
Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), United Baloch Army (UBA), Baloch Republican 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. On a number of occasions, these insurgent groups claimed
responsibility for their subversive acts. The aims behind are to weaken the state, public
infrastructure, while coercing the economy to fulfill external agenda of the US, India and some
western powers. Another purpose is to discourage China for the development of Gwadar port.
Unfortunately, Balochistan lacks technological prowess and economic resources to exploit its
minerals and untapped resources. In this context, government of Pakistan has made considerable
progress to develop Gwadar into an international port with a future plan to link it with Kashgar
(China). Observing the intentions of the hostile powers which have eyes on mineral resources
of Balochistan and its significance due to geo-strategic location, during his trip to Beijing,
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang signed
eight agreements on July 5, 2013 in various fields. The most important one envisages the
establishment of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) between deep Gwadar seaport of
Balochistan and the historic Silk Road city in western regions-Xinjiang of China—connecting to
Gilgit-Baltistan through Khunjerab Pass.
Nevertheless, by showing positive approach, Dr. Wahid Baloch, President Baloch Council of
North America (BCNA) recently decided to adopt various measures to step up psychological
campaign against Baloch rebel elements and their supporters at international forums—to initiate
a web petition demanding the US State Department to declare BLA and BRA as terrorist
organizations. In this regard, BCNA has also created twitter account and Facebook page.
Dr. Wahid Baloch has asked all the Baloch Diaspora leaders to shun the militancy, lay down
their arms and come to the negotiating table for a positive and meaningful dialogue to end the so
called “war of independence” and adopt a more realistic approach which can benefit the Baloch
people and improve their lives.
Dr. Wahid Baloch explained, “Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan and will remain as
such…the Baloch youths to focus on their education and not be misguided or brainwashed by the
fancy slogans of Azadee (Freedom) of Nawabs and Sardars (Feudal lords) and their sons who are
enjoying luxury life by themselves in Europe and are on payroll of foreign powers.”
He pointed out, “Those who are pushing the ordinary Baloch into the so called “war of
independence” for their personal gains to get them killed are equally responsible for their
killing…instead of fighting against the state, they should fight the exploitative, abusive,
opportunist and greedy Nawabs and Sardars, who are the main hurdle of Balochistan’s
development”, and they should “use only non-violent democratic and peaceful means of
struggles to help the democratically elected Government of Dr. Malik to secure the Baloch rights
within the Pakistani Federation.”
Dr Wahid Baloch said, “Dialogue and negotiations are the only way forward.” He applauded
Balochistan Chief minister Dr. Malik Baloch and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Saharif
for their sincere efforts to resolve the Balochistan problems on priority bases and asked them to
accelerate the development programs in Balochistan so that the people can benefit from them.
For the purpose, he also asked Dr. Malik Baloch to immediately convene the long waited
proposed All Pakistan Conference (APC) on Balochistan to collect recommendations and
suggestions on how to address and resolve the Balochistan’s issues and pave the way for a
dialogue and negotiations to find an everlasting solution of the conflict amicably.
He indicated, “Joblessness is a huge problem in Balochistan and jobless frustrated Baloch
youths are an easy prey for the militants and extremists groups to fight their dirty war. Providing
them with jobs to put food on their table will greatly help to remove their sense of frustration,
alienation and marginalization and prevent them from being recruited and used by the terrorists
He further said, “Balochistan is going through a tough time and it is the responsibility of every
Baloch to demonstrate a positive, more responsible and realistic attitude to help solve the
Balochistan’s problems.
In this respect, he invited all Baloch Diaspora leaders and activists for a positive and constructive
dialogue which can help resolve Balochistan’s problems peacefully. He asked them to join the
BCNA to promote a positive and more realistic message to save and secure the Baloch people’s
rights within the Pakistan.
Dr. Baloch reiterated that the BCNA will continue to work with all democratic and nationalist
forces in Pakistan to secure the Baloch rights through democratic, nonviolent and peaceful means
within the federation of Pakistan and that the BCNA is against terrorism, violence and extremism
in all of its forms and shapes.
It is notable that a notorious Ahmar Masti Khan displayed poster to the Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi titled “Modi: Balochistan Loves You, Needs You” during his visit to New York.
Regrettably, as part of the Great Game, certain foreign entities are using Baloch dissidents and
anti-Pakistan NGOs like “American Friends of Balochistan”, and individuals with hideous
personal reputation like Ahmer Masti Khan-a known passive gay, to promote their agenda in
Gwadar. In this context, Ahmer Masti Khan wrote letters to Oman embassy in Washington
seeking help of Sultan Qaboos to defeat the alleged “Pak-China Plan” to takeover Gwadar. He
distorts history that Gwadar was part of Oman, disregarding the fact that Gwadar was purchased
from Oman by Pakistan in 1958 during the era of Ayub Khan. In fact, “American Friends
of Balochistan” is a Washington based NGO which works for the Indian lobby to promote
dissent and provocate insurgency in Balochistan. The aim is to destabilize Balochistan and
disseminate false information to the audience using social media. While, Ahmer Masti Khan has
no association with Baloch people, as he was born in Burma and his family lived there for a very
long time. He is still living in US and does not come to Balochistan very frequently. People like
Ahmer Masti Khan cannot be the spokespersons for Baloch people. They are simply available
for few pennies and are always on sale. Undoubtedly, it proves, as to how external enemies,
especially India are backing Baloch separatist leaders.
No doubt, the Baloch are patriotic people with political will and inner strength to stand against
any propaganda, conducted to tarnish their dignity and damage their unity.
Nonetheless, Pakistan’s top officials and segments of all society including media must highlight
and project the positive activities of the BCNA whose President Dr. Wahid Baloch has invited
all Baloch Diaspora leaders and activists for a positive and constructive dialogue that can help in
resolving the Balochistan issue and its related problems.
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
