Baloch & Balochistan

The Afghan Crisis, A matter of Concern for America and Russia By Hafeez Hassanabadi - Translated by Archen Baloch There is no doubt that the history of Russian diplomacy has witnessed lots of ups and downs, because they take their decisions after considerable deliberations. Before taking any step they always bear in their minds the Russian proverb that “the more the higher you fill down, the more the pain is”. The possible safe why out is always is in their mind whenever they want to inter into a relationship in a vertical flying position. However, a few years back, regarding their relationship with Pakistan, the Russian were seen as a bet hasty, some people were suggesting that as America is quitting the area, therefore Russia should take its place. If things are seen in a wider perspective, that perception seems to be a childish conjecture or still it is, but in the presence of that concept, the Russian warm up with Pakistan was a s...

  Let bygones be bygones Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur The Baloch are seeking to undo the historical wrong committed against them on March 27, 1948, and all the injustices that stemmed from that Prime Minister (PM) Raja Pervez Ashraf talking to reporters in Gwadar recently said, “We should forgive each other,” and that we should move towards a new era of development and progress in Balochistan. He added, “All of us should forget the past mistakes and atrocities committed by the previous government in Balochistan and move forward to achieve the goal of development and make it a developed and prosperous province.” It is all very convenient to blame the previous government while forgetting the slow burn genocide that has continued under the PPP-led government’s watch; it is a case of a very, very selective amnesia. Representing the terra nullis school of thought he added, “Balochistan had big potential for growth and development and exploitation of its natural resource...

Dust and ashes  Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur Consensus against the Baloch in the establishment has always been unanimous because of its desire to exploit Balochistan’s resources, its huge land mass and long coastline The Supreme Court exercise, which ostentatiously began for addressing Baloch grievances regarding missing persons, has ended up prescribing more of the same medicine. The interim order has thoroughly exposed itself as the establishment’s policy statement, which encourages employing brute force to coerce the Baloch to remain compliant and submissive to the dictates of the state. Declaring the incompetent Raisani government — which is but a tool in the hands of the Centre and the army — illegal because it has not yet been able to suppress the Baloch struggle for their rights is not surprising. The order demands of the Centre to replace it with a more uncompromising direct rule. The Baloch do not really care either way. A person asked someone’s opinion ...

  The same bread with the same broth By Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur Illegalities committed under the cover of the constitution or judicial approval does not make them either palatable or morally acceptable The army through General Kayani has stated its position on the Balochistan issue in a one-liner that says, “Army fully supports any political process as long as it is within the Constitution.” This was in response to the Balochistan National Party President Akhtar Mengal’s recent moves and statements during his visit and the reactions to it. This short army statement has set the parameters for those who would try to deal with the issue of Baloch rights and the consequences therein to the Baloch for demanding their inalienable rights. This ISPR statement also warned that any steps taken in violation of the constitution would be unacceptable. This means that the Baloch should not ever cherish hopes for change in the state’s policies. For since March 26, 1948, when...

Mengal’s Myopic Political Vision By Adenag Baloch The dilemma with Balochistan National Party (Mengal) has always been that it has never had a crystal clear approach to Baloch nationalism. The party has failed to define the border of its vision of Baloch nationalism. It has always adopted a shuffling stand regarding its demand of“right to self-determination”. The surprise came recently when Akhtar Mengal ended his self-imposed exile to return to Pakistan to help the Supreme Court of Pakistan in tracing out all enforced-disappeared persons. The act came at a time when a UN WGIED delegation ended a fact finding visit in Pakistan and Balochistan.   However the real purpose of Mr Mengal’s visit is much more than just to assist the court [of occupying state]. Perhaps the case of enforced-disappeared person was used as an excuse to provide a reason to come back and to start campaign for Pakistan coming elections. Since the start of the fifth War of liberation, the Baloc...

Baloch Freedom fighters will defend Baloch national identity and dignity: Gowahram Baloch. Eight members of State Sponsored Death Squads, Twelve Personnel of Pakistan Army killed, Gunship Helicopter Chelling on Civil Population Continuing. By Archen Baloch Occupied Balochistan: The Spokesperson of Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) informed Baloch media that at the behest of the head of Death Squads, Shafeeq Mengal and Sanaullah Zehri, Pakistani occupying forces are committing war crimes against Baloch nation by conducting aerial bombardment on civilian population, as result of this barbaric aerial bombardment a child along with two elderly women embraced martyrdom. According to Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), spokesperson the occupying forces have subjected the area of Gidar with intense search operation backed by Gunship helicopters since Monday. He said that Pakistani occupying forces were harassing the common villagers, blocking the all commuting roads. He said that Baloc...

 A ray of hope?   Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur There is no denying that Sardar Akhtar Mengal has influence but his capitulation has alienated many Baloch people and his powerbase will erode rapidly Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s unexpected capitulation and appearance before the Supreme Court (SC) has pleased a few but angered a majority of the Baloch. He has climbed down from his position of demanding an independent Balochistan. In the Daily Times of May 8, 2009, its then Quetta correspondent Malik Siraj Akbar reported Akhtar Mengal’s speech from the western Panjgur district bordering Iran. Mengal said that the ultimate goal of his party (BNP-M) was to seek Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan, for which the party was striving to prepare the ground and ensure unity among all Baloch nationalist political groups. The BNP-M chief said the Baloch had become tired of the unabated military operations and the excessive exploitation of their natural resources by the ...