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BALOCH FREEDOM FIGHT : UNDERSTANDING PAKISTAN IS CRUCIAL
FOR A KNOCK OUT BLOW
By Sunaina Baloch .Phd
Zurich
SUMMARY
After six years since Rober Kaplan published his article , a reality check proves that he is absolutely correct in his
judgement about Pakistan that it is an artificial state on the verge of collapse . It is for Baloch nationalists to
invigorate their spirit and fight Punjabi looters and see to that our resources are secured for our future generation.
Lesson learned from past freedom struggle is , freedom
fight has two dimensions ,one diplomatic and another Military ,world citizens see and listen to it when they converge
. In the past we lacked diplomatic muscle power , now we have , so let's use it to the hilt and beat the sh*t out of
Punjabis( Excuse me for this language) .
ANALYSIS
Pakistan today is at a historical cross-road, a self-created political and military mess could drift into a repeat of its
1971 misadventure of east Pakistan. Pakistan is now a state on the verge of collapse. Problem of Balochistan
started many decades ago, Baloch nationalists fought Punjabis for freedom in 1948, 1958-59, 1962-63 and 1973-
77—all of which the army suppressed . In the 1970s, the Baloch nationalists were ousted from power by the Zulfiqar
Ali Bhutto government, upon which they launched an armed struggle to reclaim power. In the 1980s and 1990s, they
were part of the democratic landscape under the governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. However, since
the 1999 military takeover, they have been excluded from power in the province. The subsequent standoff between
the government and Baloch nationalists has broken into warfare from time to time. What has sparked off the recent
crisis is the contention of the Balochs that the province is being militarised, cantonments are being set up in the
name of development, and that the real motive is to completely take over the natural resources of Balochistan,
particularly in Kohlu and Dera Bugti.
In an interview Pakistan's Human Rights leader Ms.Asma Jahangir said to a question whether the Indian
government reaction is justifiable .She said "Human rights issues are universal. When our government takes up the
issue like that of the massacre in Gujarat, not only our government but all governments of the world should make
India accountable. Therefore, it's just right that when systematic human rights violations are taking place in
Balochistan, the world community pays attention to it. India is part of the world community, part of the region as well. I
hope that not only India but other countries do pay attention. We expect India and Pakistan to take notice of what
happened in Myanmar and Nepal. So what is happening in Balochistan is grave enough to take notice of." This is a
clear signal from saner elements of Pakistan to India to take notice of events in Pakistan rather being mum .
WHAT IS PAKISTAN MADE UP OF:
To put in the words of Robert Kaplan , of Atlantic Online , "PAKISTAN covers the desert frontier of the Subcontinent.
British civil administration extended only to Lahore, in the fertile Punjab, near Pakistan's eastern border with India; its
Mogul architecture, gardens, and rich bazaars give Lahore a closer resemblance to the Indian cities of New Delhi
and Calcutta than to any other place in Pakistan. But the rest of Pakistan— the rugged Afghan-border regions of
Baluchistan and the North-West Frontier Province, the alkaline wasteland of Sind, and the Hindu Kush and
Karakoram Mountains embracing Kashmir — has never been subdued by the British or anyone else." One Indian
expert says "It is a small chunk of India latched on to a huge and hostile border region. It is a total
mismatch."
Dr.N S Rajaram a famous Mathematician and History expert said in 2000 in an article that "The State of Pakistan is
being overwhelmed by forces of history and geography. A state with less than a tenth the resources of India,
Pakistan is forced to fight
insurgencies on its frontiers perhaps ten times as great as in Kashmir. It is only a matter of time before the
institutions of the state totally breakdown. And this is because of the fundamental irrationality of Pakistan, which is
less a state than a turbulent frontier that a small Punjabi elite is attempting to hold together. This is the picture that
emerges from a masterly study of the state of Pakistan written by Robert Kaplan, probably the world’s leading
reporter on the region (‘The Lawless Frontier’, The Atlantic Monthly, September 2000)."
This has set the state of Pakistan on a course of irreversible dissolution. Here is the crux of the problem in Kaplan’s
words: "Osama bin Laden, and the fighting in Kashmir obscure the core issue of South Asia: the institutional
meltdown of Pakistan…" And this is due to the "accumulation of disorder and irrationality" that is yet to be
understood. And the jihad in Kashmir is a consequence of this fear of a
crumbling state — in the hope of providing a unifying theme to unite forces of the frontier that are implacably hostile
to the Punjabi ruling establishment.
“Punjab-centric” Priorities shattered Pakistan
Pakistan’s western frontiers commence from the Gwadur Bay on the Iran-Pakistan border on the Arabian Sea.The
frontier runs initially northwards towards Saindak, than briefly takes an eastern delineation, till short of Quetta. It then
swings in a north-easterly direction towards Chitral and Gilgit (Northern Areas). Beginning from the South,
Baluchistan shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan; the NWFP shares borders with Afghanistan; and Gilgit
shares borders with Afghanistan and China. Chitral and Gilgit provide the Southern base of the Wakhan Corridor.
Historically, neither Baluchistan nor NWFP opted for Pakistan, when it emerged as a separate state in 1947. Use of
military force by Pakistan in the former and last minute political machinations by the British Governor in the latter, led
to their emergence as the western peripheral regions of Pakistan. Gilgit and its surrounding regions were annexed
for Pakistan by the British officers of Gilgit Scouts, a frontier militia.
As a result of the above these three regions have remained in active turbulence since 1947. Today, Baluchistan
freedom struggle is in a fifth stage of armed rebellion. In NWFP, the Waziristan Region in which are located the
sanctuaries of the Al Qaeda and Taliban, is in a “semi-independent state” with Pakistan Army’s entry prevented by
armed resistance. In the general area of Gilgit and its surroundings, the Balwaristan freedom movement is active. In
NWFP there has been a running demand for an independent state of Greater Pakhtunistan.
These important geo-strategic regions of Pakistan’s western frontier have remained grossly under-developed. The
major reason being the “Punjab-centric” priorities of successive Pakistani Governments, a condescending disdain
for the fiercely independent tribes which inhabit these regions and Pakistan getting away with all this, because these
regions had a strategic utility for United States military needs in the region; and hence a permissive American
attitude to Pakistan’s high-handedness towards these regions.
OPTIONS FOR PUNJABIS
Further the same expert suggests Punjabis to rejoin India and give away the frontier province to be safe and secure
. "The only way for Punjab to survive is to let the frontier be frontier and rejoin India— its natural home. But is the
Punjabi ruling elite capable of such vision? As one Pakistani (Punjabi) journalist told Kaplan, "We have never
defined ourselves in our own right — only in relation to India. That is our tragedy." This attitude represents a historic
truth: Punjab is India or it is happy hunting ground for the frontier tribes. If the Punjabis do not cure themselves of
their hatred, it may soon lead to an even greater tragedy— of Afghanistan consuming Pakistan itself. " "Punjabis
should see for themselves that Pakistan is a fantasy that died the day Bangladesh broke away. They should also
recognize that the Punjabis never asked for Pakistan; the people who planted that poison seed remained in India.
And the same people — of the Deoband School of Lucknow — planted also the poison seed that grew to be
Taliban."
The choice for the Punjabis of Pakistan is clear. Forces of history and geography are against them. They can return
to their natural home in India as the proud citizens of a great power or continue their sordid existence as a client
state that can be hired by a patron whenever a dirty job needs to be done. But even this is precarious and short-lived
existence. For all its bombast, Pakistan — its Punjabi core at least — is today little more than a buffer state between
India and the violent frontier. Once they become part of India, they will have a great power to defend them against the
hordes. One hopes they recognize the inexorability of the logic: it is India or oblivion,
there is no middle ground.
SUMMARY
On the whole after six years, Rober Kaplan and Rajaram proved to be absolutely correct in their judgements about
Pakistan . It is for Baloch nationalists to invigorate their spirt and fight Punjabi looters and see to that our resources
are secured for our future generation. Lesson learned from past freedom struggle is freedom fight has two
dimensions ,one diplomatic and another Military ,world citizens see and listen to it when they converge . In the past
we lacked diplomatic muscle power , now we have , so let's use it to the hilt and beat the shit out of Punjabis .
END
FOR A KNOCK OUT BLOW
By Sunaina Baloch .Phd
Zurich
SUMMARY
After six years since Rober Kaplan published his article , a reality check proves that he is absolutely correct in his
judgement about Pakistan that it is an artificial state on the verge of collapse . It is for Baloch nationalists to
invigorate their spirit and fight Punjabi looters and see to that our resources are secured for our future generation.
Lesson learned from past freedom struggle is , freedom
fight has two dimensions ,one diplomatic and another Military ,world citizens see and listen to it when they converge
. In the past we lacked diplomatic muscle power , now we have , so let's use it to the hilt and beat the sh*t out of
Punjabis( Excuse me for this language) .
ANALYSIS
Pakistan today is at a historical cross-road, a self-created political and military mess could drift into a repeat of its
1971 misadventure of east Pakistan. Pakistan is now a state on the verge of collapse. Problem of Balochistan
started many decades ago, Baloch nationalists fought Punjabis for freedom in 1948, 1958-59, 1962-63 and 1973-
77—all of which the army suppressed . In the 1970s, the Baloch nationalists were ousted from power by the Zulfiqar
Ali Bhutto government, upon which they launched an armed struggle to reclaim power. In the 1980s and 1990s, they
were part of the democratic landscape under the governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. However, since
the 1999 military takeover, they have been excluded from power in the province. The subsequent standoff between
the government and Baloch nationalists has broken into warfare from time to time. What has sparked off the recent
crisis is the contention of the Balochs that the province is being militarised, cantonments are being set up in the
name of development, and that the real motive is to completely take over the natural resources of Balochistan,
particularly in Kohlu and Dera Bugti.
In an interview Pakistan's Human Rights leader Ms.Asma Jahangir said to a question whether the Indian
government reaction is justifiable .She said "Human rights issues are universal. When our government takes up the
issue like that of the massacre in Gujarat, not only our government but all governments of the world should make
India accountable. Therefore, it's just right that when systematic human rights violations are taking place in
Balochistan, the world community pays attention to it. India is part of the world community, part of the region as well. I
hope that not only India but other countries do pay attention. We expect India and Pakistan to take notice of what
happened in Myanmar and Nepal. So what is happening in Balochistan is grave enough to take notice of." This is a
clear signal from saner elements of Pakistan to India to take notice of events in Pakistan rather being mum .
WHAT IS PAKISTAN MADE UP OF:
To put in the words of Robert Kaplan , of Atlantic Online , "PAKISTAN covers the desert frontier of the Subcontinent.
British civil administration extended only to Lahore, in the fertile Punjab, near Pakistan's eastern border with India; its
Mogul architecture, gardens, and rich bazaars give Lahore a closer resemblance to the Indian cities of New Delhi
and Calcutta than to any other place in Pakistan. But the rest of Pakistan— the rugged Afghan-border regions of
Baluchistan and the North-West Frontier Province, the alkaline wasteland of Sind, and the Hindu Kush and
Karakoram Mountains embracing Kashmir — has never been subdued by the British or anyone else." One Indian
expert says "It is a small chunk of India latched on to a huge and hostile border region. It is a total
mismatch."
Dr.N S Rajaram a famous Mathematician and History expert said in 2000 in an article that "The State of Pakistan is
being overwhelmed by forces of history and geography. A state with less than a tenth the resources of India,
Pakistan is forced to fight
insurgencies on its frontiers perhaps ten times as great as in Kashmir. It is only a matter of time before the
institutions of the state totally breakdown. And this is because of the fundamental irrationality of Pakistan, which is
less a state than a turbulent frontier that a small Punjabi elite is attempting to hold together. This is the picture that
emerges from a masterly study of the state of Pakistan written by Robert Kaplan, probably the world’s leading
reporter on the region (‘The Lawless Frontier’, The Atlantic Monthly, September 2000)."
This has set the state of Pakistan on a course of irreversible dissolution. Here is the crux of the problem in Kaplan’s
words: "Osama bin Laden, and the fighting in Kashmir obscure the core issue of South Asia: the institutional
meltdown of Pakistan…" And this is due to the "accumulation of disorder and irrationality" that is yet to be
understood. And the jihad in Kashmir is a consequence of this fear of a
crumbling state — in the hope of providing a unifying theme to unite forces of the frontier that are implacably hostile
to the Punjabi ruling establishment.
“Punjab-centric” Priorities shattered Pakistan
Pakistan’s western frontiers commence from the Gwadur Bay on the Iran-Pakistan border on the Arabian Sea.The
frontier runs initially northwards towards Saindak, than briefly takes an eastern delineation, till short of Quetta. It then
swings in a north-easterly direction towards Chitral and Gilgit (Northern Areas). Beginning from the South,
Baluchistan shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan; the NWFP shares borders with Afghanistan; and Gilgit
shares borders with Afghanistan and China. Chitral and Gilgit provide the Southern base of the Wakhan Corridor.
Historically, neither Baluchistan nor NWFP opted for Pakistan, when it emerged as a separate state in 1947. Use of
military force by Pakistan in the former and last minute political machinations by the British Governor in the latter, led
to their emergence as the western peripheral regions of Pakistan. Gilgit and its surrounding regions were annexed
for Pakistan by the British officers of Gilgit Scouts, a frontier militia.
As a result of the above these three regions have remained in active turbulence since 1947. Today, Baluchistan
freedom struggle is in a fifth stage of armed rebellion. In NWFP, the Waziristan Region in which are located the
sanctuaries of the Al Qaeda and Taliban, is in a “semi-independent state” with Pakistan Army’s entry prevented by
armed resistance. In the general area of Gilgit and its surroundings, the Balwaristan freedom movement is active. In
NWFP there has been a running demand for an independent state of Greater Pakhtunistan.
These important geo-strategic regions of Pakistan’s western frontier have remained grossly under-developed. The
major reason being the “Punjab-centric” priorities of successive Pakistani Governments, a condescending disdain
for the fiercely independent tribes which inhabit these regions and Pakistan getting away with all this, because these
regions had a strategic utility for United States military needs in the region; and hence a permissive American
attitude to Pakistan’s high-handedness towards these regions.
OPTIONS FOR PUNJABIS
Further the same expert suggests Punjabis to rejoin India and give away the frontier province to be safe and secure
. "The only way for Punjab to survive is to let the frontier be frontier and rejoin India— its natural home. But is the
Punjabi ruling elite capable of such vision? As one Pakistani (Punjabi) journalist told Kaplan, "We have never
defined ourselves in our own right — only in relation to India. That is our tragedy." This attitude represents a historic
truth: Punjab is India or it is happy hunting ground for the frontier tribes. If the Punjabis do not cure themselves of
their hatred, it may soon lead to an even greater tragedy— of Afghanistan consuming Pakistan itself. " "Punjabis
should see for themselves that Pakistan is a fantasy that died the day Bangladesh broke away. They should also
recognize that the Punjabis never asked for Pakistan; the people who planted that poison seed remained in India.
And the same people — of the Deoband School of Lucknow — planted also the poison seed that grew to be
Taliban."
The choice for the Punjabis of Pakistan is clear. Forces of history and geography are against them. They can return
to their natural home in India as the proud citizens of a great power or continue their sordid existence as a client
state that can be hired by a patron whenever a dirty job needs to be done. But even this is precarious and short-lived
existence. For all its bombast, Pakistan — its Punjabi core at least — is today little more than a buffer state between
India and the violent frontier. Once they become part of India, they will have a great power to defend them against the
hordes. One hopes they recognize the inexorability of the logic: it is India or oblivion,
there is no middle ground.
SUMMARY
On the whole after six years, Rober Kaplan and Rajaram proved to be absolutely correct in their judgements about
Pakistan . It is for Baloch nationalists to invigorate their spirt and fight Punjabi looters and see to that our resources
are secured for our future generation. Lesson learned from past freedom struggle is freedom fight has two
dimensions ,one diplomatic and another Military ,world citizens see and listen to it when they converge . In the past
we lacked diplomatic muscle power , now we have , so let's use it to the hilt and beat the shit out of Punjabis .
END
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| Baloch Society Of North America (BSO_NA) Baloch Society Of North America (BSO_NA) is Non-Profit Organization, working to unite and Organize all Baloch in North America, to expose the Occupation of our land (Balochistan) and exploitations of our resources by Pakistani and Iranian Governments, and to bring their Human Rights Violations in Balochistan into the world’s Notice. |