By: Aasef
Chauhdry
Almost
three years back an article under the title ‘A Discreet Conflict’ written by
one Matt McCullough was published in an online journal ‘The Majallah’. It would
have been comparatively a sensible article, written by any western writer, had
few queries been answered logically. For example, without having any love lost
for the armed forces and much talked ISI, one is always astonished that why
only these two organisations which are supposed to look after the state’s
interest are always blamed and targeted and why not the discreet stakeholders
like the Americans, Russians, Indians and some of the European countries aren’t
blamed, who have a visible nefarious agenda? The American, Russian and above
all the Indians interest and concern in the region are well known especially
when the American ambassador visits Quetta unannounced.
So, why to blame these
two forces without any concrete proof and not to doubt even those who are
manipulating the game? Strangely, the Independence Day had been celebrated by
handful insurgents as Black Day, for a couple of years and so called Baloch
rebels happily killed their countrymen Punjabis and trusted friend China’s
technical experts, while the Americans and the other western high profile
dignitaries were roaming freely in the province and were not touched even?
Amazingly
the nationalists displayed anger, for the deprivation, against the
Punjabis and the armed forces who are the major contributors for the
development in the province but those Sardars who sucked the Poor’s blood and
kept them uneducated for decades, are still regarded as heroes? Can anyone deny
that the Army has constructed the maximum roads, schools and hospitals in the
Province? Will any Sardar claim that the light and gas in the province is his
achievement? Fully agreed that there is 30 percent unemployment and 75 percent
illiteracy but do the Nationalists have some character and morality to admit
that this all is because of their Sardars, like Bugti, Mari and Mengal? No,
they will not because these Sardars with the help of their Western Masters have
been pulling the strings of these puppets popularly known as The Nationalists.
As
the writer aptly said that, “the Balochistan is important to US interests
beyond pumping gas and blocking Iran and China from doing the same”, so very
simple and easy to understand that who is calling the shots in Balochistan? This
drama of Balochistan liberation is currently witnessing the drop scene as the
cunning stakeholders are gradually surfacing with the real motives. However,
the most significant development is the return of the natives and reverting to
the religion of patriotism by those who were totally disoriented.
One
such case is of Dr. Wahid Baloch President of Baloch Council of North America
(BCNA) who has recently confessed that Balochistan is an integral part of
Pakistan and will remain as such and the ordinary Baloch cannot be misguided by
the fancy slogans of Azadi, chanted by Nawabs, Sardars and their
sons. In a historic statement made by Dr. Wahid, he asked the Baloch youths to
shun the so called "war of independence" and focus
on their education and not be misguided or brainwashed by these Nawabs and
Sardars and their sons who are enjoying luxury life by themselves in Europe and
are on payroll of foreign powers. In unambiguis words he warned that,
those who are pushing the ordinary Baloch into this so called "war
of independence" for their personal gains to get them killed are
equally responsible for their killing.
Although the analysts are calling it an abrupt twist but the truth is that Dr. Wahid Baloch has finally realized his mistake. He has ultimately found it more like committing a suicide and an effort to bag deliberate insult and humiliation. That’s why he asked the Baloch leaders to shun the militancy and negative politics of hate and bigot and come to the negotiating table for a positive, productive and meaningful dialogue to end this so called "war of independence" and adopt a more realistic approach that can benefit the Baloch people and improve their lives. The sane Baloch majority realized and strongly believed in getting the issues resolved while remaining within the peripheries of the state.
While on one hand if Dr. Wahid’s call is compelling the Baloch youth to think about their wandering away then at the same time it has frustrated the enemies of Pakistan who are involved in Baloch Insurgency, up to their sleeves. He asked all the Baloch militant groups to reject the path of militancy and violence, lay down their arms and come to the negotiating table to solve the problems that the people of Balochistan are facing. It would certainly be a nightmare for the anti state elements and their masters who had drawn the great maps to destabilise Balochistan, thus dismember Pakistan.
Nobody denies that the Baloch are deprived and ignored but at the same time no one has ever picked the courage to admit that the fault lies with the political governments and the Sardars who have been ignoring and snubbing the poor Baloch majority. Now the return of a nationalist to main political and patriotic stream is a cool breeze wave and it’s believed that the other birds of the same flock will soon come out of the hallucination and will join their countrymen. Dr. Wahid rightly said that the dialogues and negotiations are the only way forward. He applauded Balochistan Chief minister Dr. Malik Baloch and Pakistan government 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.
No doubt it’s a great but healthy change and soon the malicious anti-Pakistan designs of the alien intelligence agencies will die their own disgraceful death. Every patriotic Pakistani firmly believes that the motherland is going through a tough time and it is the responsibility of every Pakistani generally and every Baloch categorically to demonstrate a positive, more responsible and realistic attitude to help solve the Balochistan's problems. Its high time that Baloch Diaspora leaders and activists should stop playing in the foreign hands and unconditionally move forward for a positive and constructive dialogue that can help resolve Balochistan's problems peacefully. As Dr. Wahid has asked them to join the Baloch Council of North America (BCNA) to promote a positive and more realistic message to save and secure the Baloch people's rights within the Pakistan, the genuinely annoyed Baloch youth must response to his call and play their positive role.
The rationale behind the u-turn of a hardcore secessionist like Dr Wahid is not clear but, apparently, a pang of conscience caused his good sense to prevail. He is now calling for the promotion and preservation of a Baloch secular identity, language, culture and traditions, asking for the endorsement of friendship, tolerance, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation among the various ethnic groups within Pakistan and with other nations around the world through organised events, dialogue, meetings and conferences. If a flag-bearer of Independent Balochistan like Dr Wahid Baloch, who released an appeal to the US, India and Israel, seeking their direct assistance in preventing an alleged killing spree of Baloch people at the hands of the “Pakistani terrorist army” can take an abrupt U turn on the voice of his conscience then nothing stops those innocent Baloch youngster from falling back to the national stream, who are simply mislead by the foreign powers and their local agents in the disguise of their well wishers.
The subjugated and oft-neglected people of Balochistan have suffered at the hands of consecutive federal governments that remained unmindful to the genuine needs of the Baloch. It is time to write a new chapter in Balochistan’s history, treating it astutely in accordance with the hope of its people. If the BCNA is lending a helping hand, it is a welcome sign; hence the government should and must give it priority without wasting any moment. The sooner it is the better it would be.
