Nawab Akbar Bugti
Sardar Akbar Shahbaz Khan Bugti (July 12, 1927 - August 26, 2006) was the cheif of the Bugti tribe living in Balouchistan, Pakistan.
On the 26th August, 2006 Akbar bugti was killed when a rocket exploded in the cave he was using as a hide out. Akbar bugti died along with his 2 grandsons *still unconfirmed. This is the goverment version of the story and the Balouch nationalists will be telling a different one, I am sure about it but will we ever know the TRUTH?
Nawab Akbar Bugti was the ex-governor and cheif minister of Balouchistan. He was a nationalist leader and he always talked about Blouch rights but at many times he was also seen as one of the oppresors of his own people whom he claimed to be fighting for. He was a respected politician and across the political scene his death can not be welcomed under any circumstances.
One thing I can not understand is this why Mushraf is so keen to talk with Indians for peace but not ready to listen to his own people and just put guns to there heads. Look at his policy in Wana and Balouchistan. Was the only way to solve these situations is use of excessive force against countrymen. Why cant we sit for a change and listen to each other and try to solve bitterness that we have towards each other. Pathans and Balouch are proud people and like any proud man they thaught it was there right to defend there motherland, but isnt Pakistan our motherland and we all are the children of this great land.
The battles being raged in Balouchistan against my countrymen, the situation being exploited by India and Iran to there advantage, not to forget US. Further destabilizing the already fragile situation. The fight of Balouchistan is different from that of Wana as in Waziristan the fighters did not demanded for a seporation of there territory from main land Pakistan, but the BLA (Balouch Liberation Army) is frequently targeting civillians espescially Punjabis of there terrorist activities, clearly balming them for the whole situation. I have tremendous amount of respect for Nawab sahab, I have never read once that he was ever said a thing about Pakistan, although he was a nationalist leader and always talked about greater autonomy for his province. Ever since he moved out of Dera Bugti to the mountains to rage his battle against army he was seen as the leader of BLA, but Nawab sahab never advocated sepratist views.
One must try to understand why have it had lead to this senseless voilence. Both sides are wrong but it is goverments duty to provide its people with there basic rights, but how can they when they can not even protect its constitution. Poor constitution have been changed so many times that it have lost its true form and essence. Every dictator that came changed it according to his needs, to prolong his rule.
I would like to say even more but for now I just wana ask is this the way to solve our problems, put guns on each others head and then expect to get our demands fulfilled. If goverment says Bugti was runing a state with in a state, I think he was, but who allowed it. It was the goverment to fulfill there short term goals and kept a blind a eye from these Sardar/Mirs/Chakkars. When will they start thinking beyond there short term intrests. How many of innocents should die before they even start thinking. Have we forgotten the bitter experience of loosing eastren Pakistan in 71? Why are we repeating the same mistake over and over again? When will we learn, that if a Balouch gets killed he is also our brother so as a army personel. Why are we letting others use us for there advantages, why can not we see beyond our pride. When will this whole thing stop what bitter lessons more we need to learn. Tribal system is deeply routed in Balouchistan and NWFP which can not be ended so quickly. If goverment is serious to help the people then it should start acting like and do more then it says, should really listen to the basic call of Pakistanis.
I just hope his death wont lead us to another major conflict. In the end I would like to say he was a brave man, and did not compromised on his principles till his last breath. Now it dosent matter how hard Musharaf tries History will remember “Nawab Akbar Bugti” as the legend who raised his voice against a dictator “Musharaf”, neihter how wrong bugti was but they just legitimized his cause. He really was the “Tiger of Balouchistan“.
May his soul rest in peace.
September 13, 2006 at 2:23 pm
We dont say that he was a traitor.I have been at Quetta for several years during his chief ministership. He was a real criminal.He had jails for whom who did not obey him.He was a thug. Recently he murdured 22 people for not paying him rupees 5lacs.