Balochistan: Geopolitical Dynamics & Strategies For Stabilisation.

[Last Hope]

Article one:

Baluchistan and Pakistan Army

Brigadier Nadir Mir

Author of the book “Gwadar on the Global Chessboard”

Blog: Pakistan and Geopolitics
​

The enemy in Baluchistan is neither the Baloch nor the Pakistan Army, but foreign hostile forces and their allies. The problem in Baluchistan is local sense of deprivation, alienation, grievances; cycle of violence, under development of a sparse demography spread over vast spaces and of course Geopolitics. Many Baloch claim to be fighting for their rights, a mini minority is either backed by foreign powers or seek their intervention.

The six points enunciated by Sardar Akhtar Mengal, need not be compared with Sheikh Mujeeb’s infamous six points. The environment in Baluchistan is pragmatically different from the tragedy of East Pakistan. Pakistan has come to stay much to the chagrin of its enemies. In fact, Pakistan will rise as a great nation. Those predicting Pakistan’s balkanization must be rebutted vigorously. By the same token, irate and aggrieved Baloch must be welcomed back into national mainstream. The COAS has aptly and timely supported the political process (within constitution) for achieving peace in Baluchistan. The Pakistan Army and ISI while bravely defending Pakistan are keen to stabilize Baluchistan. The Army has launched and supported numerous economic developmental and educational programmes for Baluchistan which are creating a positive environment. Still the Baluchistan solution will involve other political forces as well.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Nawab Talal Bugti and other Baloch leaders have toured the country to muster support for their cause. Nawab Talal Bugti has repeatedly stressed on the loyalty of Baloch to Pakistan. Major political parties PML (N), PTI, JI and others have wisely embraced the Baloch Brothers. These are happy tidings and can help creating an environment leading to a remedy for the malaise in beautiful Baluchistan. The Supreme Court has to an extent accepted the Baloch petitions as an aggrieved party. Baloch grievances should be heard and resolved in Pakistan rather than in foreign courts and hostile lands.

The time has come to end the blame game and usher in tranquility in turbulent Baluchistan. Nawab Talal Bugti, Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other veteran Baloch leaders must be supported in a national reconciliation effort.

Baluchistan Geopolitics

Sinister forces appeared at work to sever Pakistani and Iranian Baluchistan (called Seistan). This balkanization agenda is part of a larger Geopolitical design. An appropriate West Asian Strategy is being chiseled by hegemonic powers. Reportedly Nurudin Mengal from Pakistan and Naseer Balodi from Iran in a three day session recently briefed the EU Parliament. Both launched a tirade against Pakistan and Iran, plus pleaded for foreign intervention, (A La Libya, NATO style intervention?) Before that US Congress had introduced a bill to sever Baluchistan from Pakistan. Coming on its heels a UN mission on Baluchistan had even suggested disciplinary action against military officers for alleged excesses. These may be the contours of a foreign intervention case.

A part of the so called liberal media (foreign funded) in Pakistan and liberal puppets living on foreign dole are already blaming the Pakistani State. These Trojan Horse tactics in the information age smack of shaping the battle field. They aim to demonize Army, ISI, divide the people of Pakistan, create political confusion, galvanize terrorists so that mayhem abounds leading to a paralysis of state. After defaming and psychologically isolating the Army, ISI; the stage would be set for a Unilateral Declaration of Independence by a few foreign sponsored Baloch. Foreign forces could then be employed in intervention of Baluchistan.

The Pakistan Army supported by all patriotic citizens must become pro-active for resolution of Baluchistan’s predicament.

Baluchistan Solution

A holistic solution for Baluchistan must include the following:

· National Unity. The need of the hour is national unity and pragmatic solution for Baluchistan. Baloch leaders, major political parties, Supreme Court, Armed Forces, political government, media and civil society have to combine their efforts for a peaceful and prosperous Baluchistan. Pakistan and Baluchistan belong to all Pakistanis. All are responsible and accountable.

· Reconciliation. Pakistan Army must take initiative along with Government efforts to accommodate the livid and afflict among the Baloch. PML (N) under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Shrif is most well placed to placate Baloch leaders. This scribe had suggested the same to Mian Nawaz Sharif in Gwadar Conference 2012.

· Baloch Aspirations. The Baloch sense of injustice needs to be removed. All Baloch leaders and others in Pakistan seek justice for Nawab Akbar Bugti’s killing. The perception of injustice must be eradicated. The Baloch youth needs a special national package of free education and employment.

· Economic Cycle. Baluchistan has numerous treasures which should benefit first the people of Baluchistan and then the rest of Pakistan. The greatest potential is in Gwadar concept amply highlighted in my book ‘Gwadar on the Global Chessboard’. This can bring prosperity and can change the destiny of the Baloch and all Pakistanis.

· Security. The first act is to freeze the cycle of violence. An understanding based on reconciliation is the basis of security. While the army remains in its garrisons, the FC should be more biased towards the Western Borders. A new internal security force for Baluchistan may be considered with the bulk from Baloch areas.

· Information Warfare. Pakistani media can help positively resolve Baluchistan by encouraging reconciliation with Baloch and discouraging foreign interference. The Pakistan Army can also further augment its information warfare capabilities. The ISPR has recently become more effective in projecting the army view point. It should concentrate more on Baluchistan solution with army’s positive contribution. The ISI while brilliantly guarding Pakistan needs to expose the foreign agendas and hostile agencies fishing in Baluchistan’s troubled waters. A serious effort to retrieve missing persons in Baluchistan must be well projected and presented.

· Blocking Foreign Interference. The Pakistan Army and the Foreign Office under the Government of Pakistan must present a unified case for blocking foreign interference in Baluchistan. All forms of foreign interference in Baluchistan to include propaganda, funding, training, arming of insurgents or succor for their leaders abroad etc must be dealt with firmly.

Even while blocking foreign interference in Baluchistan through all elements of national power, the key to peace in Baluchistan lies in national unity and reconciliation. All the Baloch have to be on board for prosperity and stability in the province. Baluchistan is as much part of Pakistan as Punjab or any other province. The Pakistan Army supported by the entire Pakistani Nation will defend Baluchistan like the rest of Pakistan.

Windows to Russia!

The views of the above author are not strictly only the views of Windows to Russia. They are an independent view from an outside source that brings a better light on the world in general and Windows to Russia is very pleased to have Nadir Mir’s thoughts on its pages today and in the future. So take a look at his site and read a few articles. – Kyle Keeton


Article Two:

Balochistan Problem and Solutions by Brigadier (R) Nadir Mir.
​

A resolution was passed in the US Congress to divide Pakistan and carve out an ‘independent Balochistan’. With this, an old neocon dream was revived. This time the so-called globalists and propagandists, masquerading as human right activists, are the cheerleaders. Against this backdrop, Colonel Ralph Peter’s map of the ‘New Middle East’ truncating, balkanising every country – Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan – was reproduced. Despite the fact that it was scorned and reviled even at the time of its earlier exhibition.


It seems that the neocons and influential globalists of America desperately want to initiate World War III. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s interview, If you can’t hear the drums of war, you must be deaf, with Alfred Heinz on November 27, 2011, is a clear expression of this desire. The neocon-globalist geopolitical wish list – the rationale for the so-called ‘independent Balochistan’ is as under:

• Cripple Pakistan by separating Balochistan (46 percent of its territory with large mineral resources, besides the future global port of Gwadar).
• Balkanised Pakistan forced to give up its nuclear arsenal.
• Establish India’s hegemony over Pakistan.
• Leftover US forces in Afghanistan and US controlled ‘new Balochistan’ to act as strategic central position for multi-regions.
• US controlled Afghanistan-Balochistan to link the Central Asian energy oil and gas pipelines with Gwadar.
• Delink Pakistan and Iran by carving out Balochistan and obviate the Iran-Pakistan energy/gas pipelines.
• Establish US military presence in Balochistan for upcoming US-Israeli war against Iran.
• Block Russia-Pak cooperation with Gazprom (Russian Gas Company) reaching Gwadar.
• Balochistan and Kurdistan to be artificially created to have imperialist bases in the heartland of Islam.
• ‘Independent Balochistan’ – a prelude for Kurdistan to break away from Turkey; separate Xinjiang and Tibet from China; Siberia from Russia; and separate Makkah and Madinah from Saudi Arabia.
• US military presence in Gwadar to control the Gulf. To use the port as an alternative for USA’s 5th fleet based in Bahrain or another fleet if brought near the Gulf.
• Use Gwadar as a military base for intervention in the Saudi Peninsula.

The rationale of these ill-intentioned pseudo thinkers is absolutely absurd. According to them, since the Pakistani elite is exploiting Balochistan, so it should be balkanised. Those who believe that Balochistan should not be a part of Pakistan are geopolitical imbeciles. Indeed, the propagandists making these claims are clueless about regional realities because:

• Pakistan: It will fight a war, even a nuclear war of national survival to defend itself.
• Iran: The Iranian Seistan is part of Balochistan, which the imperialists want to carve out. Therefore, Iran will fight a war in unison with Pakistan to defend Balochistan against the US threats.
• Afghanistan: The Taliban are winning; the Americans are leaving. No Afghan – not even Karzai – will cede the Afghan territory to become ‘greater independent Balochistan’. Nor can landlocked Kabul take up fights with both Islamabad and Tehran.
• Turkey: The Turks will support Pakistan and oppose independent Balochistan. Those who are plotting Balochistan also support Kurdistan to balkanise Turkey. Turkey will oppose Balochistan splitting by Nato, even if Nato is foolhardy to play the diabolical game of neocons.
• Saudi Arabia: The Saudis, too, will support Pakistan and oppose the Balochistan movement.
• India: It has been supporting the destabilisation of Balochistan and will continue to do so. But for India to overtly support Balochistan can lead to a nuclear war with Pakistan. Besides this can also trigger freedom movements in Kashmir, Khalistan, Assam, Tamil Nadu and a dozen other places. Playing the US-Israel game will spoil its relations with Iran, Russia and China.
• China: It will support Pakistan. USA’s aim in Balochistan is to block China from Gwadar. Balochistan today, Xinjiang tomorrow! China’s defence begins from Pakistan.
• Russia: It is Pakistan’s new friend. Besides, the Pak-Iran link is supported by Moscow.

So, the geopolitics of the region negates any viability of an independent Balochistan. In addition, anti-Americanism in Pakistan has a complex dynamic. The US meddling in Balochistan will not create an ‘independent Balochistan’, but will initiate a war, perhaps, leading to World War III.

The situation in Balochistan certainly demands immediate attention. Out of 150 Baloch tribes three major ones Marris, Bugtis, and Mengals have had problems or are in conflict. The issue of Bugtis is greatly linked to the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti. A fair trial of those responsible is their demand. The Mengals can be communicated with. Some of the Marris leaders are more adamant and would need to be worked on. Pakistan needs to accommodate most of the Balochistan demands and satisfy the people, while ensuring its national interests. Half the demography of Balochistan which is Pakhtun are patriotic like the great majority of Baloch.

Bugti’s killing by Musharraf led to the present Balochistan crisis. The army or the ISI is not responsible. USA and India did not oppose Musharraf’s actions in Balochistan. This was a US-India baited gambit (to lure Musharraf into a crackdown and create turmoil for instigating independent Balochistan).

Musharraf was praised by Washington and assured by Delhi of its non-involvement in Balochistan, luring him into the mess Pakistan faces today in the province. For all this time a covert war was being waged for claiming independence of Balochistan. During this period a worldwide network was established. This became overt in February 2012 as war with Iran is near centre stage in 2012. However, those who are planning war against Pakistan must be told that the choice is between peace and total war; indeed, the country will be defended at any price!

 

[Safriz]

Balochistan is the shortest route to sea from Afghanistan,and thats why a place of interest for foreign powers involved in Afghanistan.
A free Balochistan may or may not serve their purpose but a disturbed Balochistan will keep serving them.

I was talking to a baloch pashtoon yesterday..himself from an influential family from Quetta,had good knowledge if whars happening there..
PA fails on some points as per him...
The most important being in protecting the influential figures from being abducted (the so called missing persons)..
What is happening is that pro pakistan rich influential and educated people get picked up by god knows who...then they reappear up in the mountains totally zombified anti Pakistan anti PA.

 

[Kompromat]

Thread is sticky, All threads on Balochistan on the open board shall be merged with this.

 

[Kompromat]

Simple suggestions for Balochistan's future.

the concept we need to understand is that we need a financial and social enablement drive in Balochistan. I suggest the following actions in the order.

1. The borders to be sealed with Iran & Afghanistan. It is absolutely essential that this be done without mistake. As any failure to do this first step will defeat everything else.

2. Federal government to take NOTHING from Balochistan's revenye for the next 7 years; which implies all of Balochistan's revenue will be spent ON balochistan.

3. Federal governemnt give income tax rebate to every one with a Baloch domicile for the next 7 years. This step will give power to the working class in balochistan, thus enabling them more than the rest of country. The removal of surcharge and VATs will make power cheaper in Balochistan compared to the rest of the country.
This will make Balochistan more favorable for ANY new industry compared to the rest of the country.


4. Federal governemnt to launch industrial zone, and export processing zone, which should be Tax free for 5 years after commissioning. This should apply to any new industry started in Balochistan. It will also make Balochistan more favorable destination for investment , both internal and external.

Once money from banks and people from all over Pakistan is invested in Balochistan, the feeling to deprevation will go away.

5. Gawadar development must be done by a third party neutral party. This will allow a fair chance for all citizens of Pakistan to invest in Balochistan. However since Baloch Domicile holders have a tax vacation for coming 7 years, they will get a head start.

6. A constitutional amendment be made, which take mining away from provincial government, and be put under Federal government. with equal representation from all provinces.

Lastly, I can not emphasize enough, EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION.

Balochistan's provincial government should drum some cash for any one who wants to study beyond 10th. Absolutely free !

From. Salman108

 

[Safriz]

I agree with point 1.
But the rest are hard to echeive if at all until the sardars are there..
The best solution in my opinion is an instant division of Balochistan into smaller provinces based on language..
Pushtoon,Barohi,Hazara and Gawadar as seperate provinces.
The province is just too big and empty to sustain itself.

Then we can go ahead with building industrial zones in each of the Baloch sub Provinces and provide half or Quarter price gas to any industry built in these provinces...
That will encourage industrilization of the area and provide jobs to locals...and flow of money towards the province..
A division of Balochistan will help in breaking the power of sardars each of whom claims the whole of Balichistan for himself...

 

[Last Hope]

I agree with point 1.
But the rest are hard to echeive if at all until the sardars are there..
The best solution in my opinion is an instant division of Balochistan into smaller provinces based on language..
Pushtoon,Barohi,Hazara and Gawadar as seperate provinces.
The province is just too big and empty to sustain itself.

Then we can go ahead with building industrial zones in each of the Baloch sub Provinces and provide half or Quarter price gas to any industry built in these provinces...
That will encourage industrilization of the area and provide jobs to locals...and flow of money towards the province..
A division of Balochistan will help in breaking the power of sardars each of whom claims the whole of Balichistan for himself...

I strongly disagree to the division part.

First of all, the Sardars who are in power are not going to allow that to happen and we will have to see blood-shedding during the division latter followed by active insurgency by BLA and by then, some smaller forces being formed.

Secondly, division would require set-up of provincial assembly and representatives in National Assembly which will again be an issue, not to forget the financial costs for the project. Where we had one Provincial Assembly in Balochistan today, tomorrow it shall have 4 (as you said) and the infrastructure development budget would be split into four unequal percentages, and from those separate budget, the leaders of the provinces shall pocket money which would actually reduce development on average in these four provinces.

Thirdly, taking control of a smaller area by political parties is going to be easier job, using terrorism as a tool. Today, as an example, there is 1 BLA 'operative' for every 3,000 population which shall tomorrow be 1 for every 700. You get the point.

Fourthly, utilizing the geographical resources shall be a major issue, and the further smaller provinces would demand a large percentage of the resources to be used for their 'development'. As if this isn't the problem today.

I agree to rest, focusing more on development of Balochistan and bringing trade opportunities. Army has increased the attention and priorities from Balochistan, but do not expect this from the PPP government. They mean just for themselves, due to which they've been reason for deaths of thousands of civilians directly and indirectly and crumbling of economy. Jiye Bhutto!

 

[Safriz]

^^^ There can be more than one solutions to the same problem..
True that bringing business and employment oppertunities plus education will massively improve the situation.
But doing all that will take years and like i said local sardars will remain the problem they alwsys beem,and this particular problem needs a solution i cant suggest.
As for insurgency is concerned,it will die out when borders are well and truely sealed,or atleast lose its effectiveness,as weapon supply will dry out..

 

[Kompromat]

We must understand that at some point the balochistan issue is also a **** mockery contest between the Feudals of Balochistan Vs the rest of the country.
It is impervious that this dimension of the problem be addressed for it is the Feudals that come up with all sort of stupid ideas and make every thing a matter of ego !.
Feudalism needs to be abolished from all over the country and the two most important steps to do that is

1. Introduce land reforms
2. Education to the masses.

While the above two steps are introduced, we must push forward with the steps already highlighted in the previous post.

What will happen is

1. Ordinary middle class people will a chance to make money & social progress
2. This will create an emerging class of people who will threat the status quo and the feudal's power.
3. It will keep the people busy with competetion and notions of making progress.

More to come.... keep tuned



Salman-108

 

[Irfan Baloch]

I only have 2 points to add

1. the Pakistani state institutes take a challenge upon itself and brings just one killer one self proclaimed killer of Hazara to justice.

today, this small but proud and loyal Pakistani ethnic group is entirely at the mercy of the Sectarian terrorists. almost every single haraza person I know has lost someone in the sectarian attacks by Sipah Sahabah.

2. someone get up and speak for the Punjabis being singled out of the trains and buses and shot dead near kashmor and Quetta in the same way Shia's are marched out and killed.

to date the "Lion" of Raiwand has not even uttered a single word for the Punjabis being killed by the BLA. he has the gal to call Akbar Bughti a shaheed while the blood of the Punjabis (the land his party rules) is being spilled all over Balochistan.

 

[Safriz]

I only have 2 points to add

1. the Pakistani state institutes take a challenge upon itself and brings just one killer one self proclaimed killer of Hazara to justice.

today, this small but proud and loyal Pakistani ethnic group is entirely at the mercy of the Sectarian terrorists. almost every single haraza person I know has lost someone in the sectarian attacks by Sipah Sahabah.

2. someone get up and speak for the Punjabis being singled out of the trains and buses and shot dead near kashmor and Quetta in the same way Shia's are marched out and killed.

to date the "Lion" of Raiwand has not even uttered a single word for the Punjabis being killed by the BLA. he has the gal to call Akbar Bughti a shaheed while the blood of the Punjabis (the land his party rules) is being spilled all over Balochistan.

thats a dilemma all over the country not jut Baluchistan....For reasons unknown,terrorists are never caught,never put to court trials.

 

[Safriz]

I only have 2 points to add

1. the Pakistani state institutes take a challenge upon itself and brings just one killer one self proclaimed killer of Hazara to justice.

today, this small but proud and loyal Pakistani ethnic group is entirely at the mercy of the Sectarian terrorists. almost every single haraza person I know has lost someone in the sectarian attacks by Sipah Sahabah.

2. someone get up and speak for the Punjabis being singled out of the trains and buses and shot dead near kashmor and Quetta in the same way Shia's are marched out and killed.

to date the "Lion" of Raiwand has not even uttered a single word for the Punjabis being killed by the BLA. he has the gal to call Akbar Bughti a shaheed while the blood of the Punjabis (the land his party rules) is being spilled all over Balochistan.

thats a dilemma all over the country not jut Baluchistan....For reasons unknown,terrorists are never caught,never put to court trials.

 

[Irfan Baloch]

thats a dilemma all over the country not jut Baluchistan....For reasons unknown,terrorists are never caught,never put to court trials.

more pressing for Balochistan due to insurgency. Hazara police and military personal are also being targeted which really makes them feel at complete mercy of the terrorists and state completely helpless and inept.

the conspiracy is to massacre the weakest and smallest ethnicity while arm and support the loudest militant group, find someone to blame and sit back and watch the show.

 

[A1Kaid]

Why doesn't Balochistan develop itself? You cannot even develop Gwadar, or had any intention to do so until Musharraf initiated Gwadar plan, Balochistan just left it as a fishing village. You hear from some Balochistan is being exploited, well why doesn't Balochistan develop it self then. Balochistan has it's own provincial government, which has the same legal powers as any other provincial government, Balochistan has the largest territory and is a naturally rich province.

What has Gov. Zulfikar Ali Magsi (ZAM) done for Balochistan? Has he implemented tax net reforms, education reforms, infrastructure projects, health service reform, etc? He has been in office since Feb. 2008 it is nearly four years now and what has he done?

Today, there is another terrorist attack in Quetta, and multiple civilians killed, what has Balochistan done to solve it's insecurity? Are they going to wait for Federal Government guidance? Balochistan always complains Punjab is interfering in Balochistan's affairs, well fine then take care of your own damn affairs, you are a province of Pakistan you have responsibility and legal powers to act on your own in the capacity of a province, you are not handicap.

Reinforcement to Balochistan should be sent, send paramilitary to patrol and increase security and send investigators to track down the culprits of recent bombing. As I mentioned earlier some Balochis complain, Punjab this Punjab that exploiting, interfering, fine then take care of your own province and the Pakistani citizens living there.


Point is Balochistan has grievances, but you also have powers and responsibilities as a Province so fulfill otherwise this province comes off as a handicap to the country. Damn it at least build one modern city and deal with you petty crime rate, most Pakistanis don't even travel there because it's too dangerous.

Handicap log, same goes for NWFP...

 

[Jango]

Why doesn't Balochistan develop itself? You cannot even develop Gwadar, or had any intention to do so until Musharraf initiated Gwadar plan, Balochistan just left it as a fishing village. You hear from some Balochistan is being exploited, well why doesn't Balochistan develop it self then. Balochistan has it's own provincial government, which has the same legal powers as any other provincial government, Balochistan has the largest territory and is a naturally rich province.

What has Gov. Zulfikar Ali Magsi (ZAM) done for Balochistan? Has he implemented tax net reforms, education reforms, infrastructure projects, health service reform, etc? He has been in office since Feb. 2008 it is nearly four years now and what has he done?

Today, there is another terrorist attack in Quetta, and multiple civilians killed, what has Balochistan done to solve it's insecurity? Are they going to wait for Federal Government guidance? Balochistan always complains Punjab is interfering in Balochistan's affairs, well fine then take care of your own damn affairs, you are a province of Pakistan you have responsibility and legal powers to act on your own in the capacity of a province, you are not handicap.

Reinforcement to Balochistan should be sent, send paramilitary to patrol and increase security and send investigators to track down the culprits of recent bombing. As I mentioned earlier some Balochis complain, Punjab this Punjab that exploiting, interfering, fine then take care of your own province and the Pakistani citizens living there.


Point is Balochistan has grievances, but you also have powers and responsibilities as a Province so fulfill otherwise this province comes off as a handicap to the country. Damn it at least build one modern city and deal with you petty crime rate, most Pakistanis don't even travel there because it's too dangerous.

Handicap log, same goes for NWFP...

There is practically no government in Balochistan.

There is only one opposition member in the Assembly!!! The Chief Minister spends more time in Isl rather than Quetta, and the time he is there he is drunk. The others are totally inept, and nobody cares.

You go into interior Balochistan and there is no government to be seen.

 

[A1Kaid]

There is practically no government in Balochistan.

There is only one opposition member in the Assembly!!! The Chief Minister spends more time in Isl rather than Quetta, and the time he is there he is drunk. The others are totally inept, and nobody cares.

You go into interior Balochistan and there is no government to be seen.