PKP

The On-Going Chaos in Baluchistan and NWFP

by Azfar Gardezi

Let us take a few moments to review and analyze present chaotic situation in Baluchistan and NWFP, in the light of past and future.

Baluchistan is an ancient and eminent civilization. People tend to ignore the fact that actual bab-ul-Islam of sub-continent is Baluchistan, which was conquered by a mission sent out by Caliph Omar, originally for Basra, but was directed on special orders of caliph Omar to further move towards east in Baloch areas. After the creation of Pakistan, various tribes and states of Baluchistan conceded to federation of Pakistan during the years of 1947 – 1948. The most noted Baloch tribes gathered under the chair of Nawab of Qallat to form a union of their states and tribes, acknowledging the federation of Pakistan. The mists of time have buried down many of our golden historical memories. In Pakistan’s first general elections in 1970, PPP acquired majority in the regions of Punjab and Sindh, whereas the major tribal and political leaders of regions of Baluchistan registered their inclination towards Awami league of East Pakistan. Baluchistan faced turmoil when PPP secured power in Pakistan, after fall of Dhaka. Logically, it appears that it may have been this time when the master minds of allied capitalistic forces would identify the region of Baluchistan as a potential separatist candidate “just in case”. The reason was simple that notables of Baluchistan had actually shown very clear aspirations for Mujeeb and awami league, and they had identified and related to the persecution faced by East Pakistan. Based on this “important” observation, the genius allied capitalists would then build up a smart plan to chop region of Baluchistan off Pakistan’s federation, and turn it into the most important geo-political location of the world in the beginning of 21st century.

Mr. Bhutto, as shrewd as he was, also identified this danger at its very beginning. His intention may be justified because it served the purpose of strengthening federation of Pakistan, but his actions turned out to be so intense that Baluchistan had to face a full-fledge army action, with most of its leaders and notables of the province either in jail or on exile. And this was an ideal time for agencies like CIA, MOSAD, RAW and KGB to select their agents out of these jailed and exiled notables. Those who didn’t join hands with any of these agencies gradually faded off the political arena of Pakistan. Isn’t this an irony!

The decades to come would see the separatist longing of Baloch leaders growing stronger day by day. It appears that during 80s and 90s, KGB and RAW fed this ignition to this dim torch of Baloch separatist and nationalist agenda, but during Musharaf era in Pakistan, when CIA became immensely deep rooted in this region in the guise of war-on-terror, all these intelligence bonds were re-arranged. KGB was successfully chopped off and RAW was made to join hands with CIA to fire up whole Baluchistan with separatist agenda. RAW provided (and does provide till to date) support to Baluchistan “liberation” elements, while CIA facilitated this agenda from within Pakistan. Federation of Pakistan was very late to respond to this building chaos in Baluchistan. Although the federation of Pakistan tried it’s best to play some cat and mouse hunt, by desperate influx of development and investments in Baluchistan, especially Gwadar and some other mineral rich areas, and by taking extreme measures of killing and prosecuting Baloch notables, but it was simply too late. The separatist fire had been well lit up by then. Just as a final note regarding Baluchistan turmoil, we may not neglect the fact, other than its extreme geo-political importance, that it is huge reserves of Oil, gas, gold, copper, titanium and many other minerals, while Gwadar being geo-graphically most feasible deepest port in the world.

Now let’s turn our attention to the anarchy in the regions of NWFP. Another twisted tale! The area of NWFP has historically been considered as a gateway to a golden land – The Hind, or in other words, the sub-continent, which used to be major economic power of world till as late as early nineteenth century. It has been attracting attention of invaders for centuries of centuries. NWFP was a door step to sub-continent for each of these invaders. This may be one of reasonable arguments for aggressive and rough attitudes of tribal masses, who faced a lot such trespassers over the course of history. When Pakistan came into being in 1947, various tribal leaders and political leaders made a pact with government of Pakistan, to become part of its federation. Although Indian national congress had enjoyed huge support in this region previously, it took just a few years by Quaid e Azam and all India Muslim League to uproot influence of congress in this region. After becoming part of Pakistan’s federation, people and tribes of NWFP became loyal and dutiful wholeheartedly to the Islamic republic of Pakistan. In early days of Pakistan, when voice for help was raised from Kashmir, the people of NWFP were first to respond, penetrating as much inside Kashmir as the suburbs of Srinagar. In 1970, NWFP major leadership also showed their political aspirations towards Awami league of East Pakistan. A separatist emotion was taking root within the representatives of the province. Unfortunately same thing happened to NWFP – they had to face an army action in Bhutto’s reign. PPP’s influence had suffered terribly after the assassination of their popular leader from NWFP – Hayat Mohammad Khan Sherpao, in 1975. The exact situation between NWFP and federation at that time could be explained by just a quick example – Asfandyar Wali khan was nominated as principle accused by PPP federal government! Logically, this may be the time when the major master minds of the world would have figured out the separatist sensitivity of this region. This was exactly the time, when capitalist and communist blocks had agreed on an agenda – to stop the emergence of an Afro-Asian block within third world. All third world leaders who had been struggling to realize an Afro-Asian block, were being assassinated politically or ‘actually’. Mr. Bhutto, who was one of main vocals and movers for Afro-Asian block, proved to be one of the best leaders at a foreign policy making level, but his hold on home-affairs was terrible, and his mistakes made it easier for the capitalists and communists to take him off the scene. The crisis that had emerged in NWFP played a pivotal role in Bhutto’s end. NWFP suddenly went peaceful when Zia took over the show. Isn’t this yet another irony? Zia regime got even luckier with Soviet invasion on Afghanistan. Zia regime decided to take an active part in this conflict, rightfully realizing the dangers to follow, if they didn’t stop Soviet infiltration in the region. (God knows why Pakistani government lost this reasonable approach when capitalist allies did the same recently!). So, Pakistan fought back with an agenda to push Soviet armies as far as the other side of Amo River. This was the time when world was taken aback by the superb professional performance of intelligence service of Pakistan – the ISI, which was mostly known for it low level political-home-affairs activities, prior to that. This was the time, when ISI conducted two major operations for the country, namely; the anti-Soviet Jihad, and the fulfillment nuclear program. It may not be a wise argument to say that Carter and Reagan regimes had no clue of Pakistan’s activities during this time. In fact they kept a very close eye on whole situation and the capitalist allies came up with a very smart plan. They used their geo-political influence, especially over the Middle East, to convert this Pak- Afghan conflict with Soviets into a holy war – the Jihad. People of NWFP, as pure-hearted as they were, stood by this foreign policy of federation and rose up for help of their Afghan brothers. After this Jihad was declaration by all Muslim sects and countries, the religious Muslim groups came pouring in from all parts of world. As the maturing scenario in the region dictates, that this was a deliberate move by allied capitalists. They were actually containing religious Muslims groups within this region, so that they would not have to fight a whole billion of Muslims, when they turned to their anti-Islamic crusade in days to come. This was done successfully. All Muslim countries were pushed to discourage the re-entry of these Jihadists back to their respective countries, after this anti-soviet war was over. Hence they were force to be contained within these regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. These regions were left in a very well-devised chaos. Ironically, Pakistan and Afghanistan would never be able to achieve political harmony needed to address this chaos in years to come, till the time when the allied capitalists staged the drama of war-on-terror!

We can go on and on this whole problem that Pakistan is being faced with. But, this will only plunge us more into the rogue perceptions that have been developed by the master minds of allied capitalists. Thus, to conclude the article, I just want to request to Pakistanis that, this is our chance to thrust out of all such wrong perceptions that we’re made to live in. This is the time when we have to realize that all perceptions that have been fed to us by very well devised conspiracies, are nothing more than just fake! It is unfortunate that these conspirators control both cause and effect of such artificial chaos. But, only if we open our eyes and ears collectively, and see behind the scenes of such conspired anarchy, we can still save our beloved Country from extreme dangers. We can still continue our journey of prosperity and progress, only if we keep our faith in the might of God, stay united against all conspiracies and become a very well disciplined nation against each and every conspiracy. Please always remember that Unity, faith and discipline is not just a slogan or a fundamentalist religious philosophy, it is the key to success and prosperity. May Pakistan live forever, InshAllah.

Pakistan Zindabad!