From Bangladesh to Balochistan

[BanglaBhoot]

By Asif Haroon Raja

When Pakistan came into being in August 1947, from among five federating provinces,East Pakistan was the most under developed province followed by Balochistan, Sindh and Frontier provinces.

Punjab was relatively more developed and prosperous because of well developed communication infrastructure, better literacy and technical skills, fertile land, plentiful water for irrigation and sophisticated canal irrigation system built by the British and hard working lower class. Elite civil service, police and armed forces had majority from Punjab and Urdu speaking Mohajirs. Inequity in development status of smaller provinces vis-à-vis Punjab became the chief reason for giving rise to grouses among the former.

East Pakistan was subverted by Indian intelligence agencies from 1948 onwards and Mujibur Rahman became the vehicle to further their ends. India succeeded in its designs because of mishandling by our rulers and failing to attend to some genuine and mostly perceived grievances of Bengalis against the State. Propaganda warfare and subversion of youth by Hindu teachers and professors in schools, colleges and universities was never countered. They were brainwashed into believing that Punjabi dominated central government had turned East Pakistan into its colony and West Pakistan was prospering at their cost.

Awami League rejected maximum provincial autonomy and sought confederation during Yahya-Mujib parleys in March 1971. Great majority of people of eastern wing had desired removal of their grievances but had never preferred separation and that too under tutelage of India. Terrorized into submission, they reluctantly flowed with the tide of Awami League stimulated independence movement.

By the time India launched its military instrument on 21 November 1971, Bengali nationalism as well as abhorrence for West Pakistan had peaked. More than half the battle had already been won on psychological operations plane. Small force of West Pakistani 45000 (both army and paramilitary) together with Razakars trying to defend the motherland was hugely outnumbered, isolated, fatigued and demoralized and their weapons and equipment badly worn out. Biharis and pro-Pakistan Bengalis were later on declared as collaborators and ruthlessly massacred and persecuted. Euphoria of Bangladeshis soon transformed into despair since independence did not bring any change in their fortunes. In fact, for first 20 years of their independence their plight became pathetic. Rapid decline in living conditions made them realize that they were tricked and led up the garden path. It sparked unrest and led to massacre of Mujib and his 23 family members in 1974. India has become highly meddlesome in internal affairs of Bangladesh. To ensure its monopoly, India impedes its progress, foments trouble and treats it as its 29th state. There is large segment in Bangladesh that still ruefully recalls old days of united Pakistan with nostalgia and detests India for its unwanted interference and bossy attitude.

After achieving a huge success in 1971, RAW was assigned to carryout subversion in Sindh. Existing grievances between old and new Sindhis were exploited and deep cleavages drawn between two communities giving rise to ethnic based nationalism and regional politics. Tussle between Punjabi and Pathan settlers in Karachi and Urdu speaking Mohajirs was accentuated to create bad blood between various communities. By early 1990, Sindh became a wounded province and ideas of Sindudesh and Urdudesh were planted among nationalists. Military operation against MRD movement in interior Sindh in 1983 duly backed by India and against MQM in 1992 and again in 1995-96 stemmed nationalist fervor to some extent. In the aftermath of 9/11, interests of USA and India colluded in Balochistan. Emphasis therefore shifted from Sindh towards Balochistan. Since early 2002, RAW, CIA, Mossad, MI-6, RAAM are collectively assisting separatist movement in Balochistan. Huge quantity of war munitions and funds are being regularly pumped in.

Christen Fair, a reputed US journalist has exposed Indian covert operations in Pakistan. For Balochistan, Indian consulates in Kandahar and Zahedan are playing a key role. Situation in Balochistan was deliberately worsened by getting three Baloch nationalist leaders killed by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in last April since they were on verge of spilling the beans about Brahamdagh led BLA sponsored by foreign agencies. Captured suicide bombers from Dera Bugti made damning revelations of involvement of runaway Brahamdagh Bugti, RAW and RAAM in training terrorists in camps in Afghanistan and launching them in Balochistan against assigned targets. Riasat 25 and 33 detachments were specifically created for fomenting unrest in Pakistan. Commander Raziq Achakzai turned Spin Boldak into forward launching pad for unleashing terrorists and supplying arms and ammunition in Balochistan. Afghan officials facilitate border crossing of RAW agents. Shahgarh-Kishingrah route in Indian Rajasthan is also frequented for same purpose. RAW chief VM Varma and RAAM chief Amanullah Saleh hold frequent meetings in New Delhi and Kabul to coordinate clandestine operations in Pakistan. CIA and Mossad also take part in some of Pakistan-specific meetings. Baloch miscreants are richly paid by foreign agencies and lifestyle of heretofore unknown BLA members belonging to Marri tribe has become opulent. Other shady organizations having no base are on papers only. These include Baloch Republican Army (BRA) representing Bugtis, Lashkar-i-Balochistan, an armed group of Mengals and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) representing many Baloch tribes. Purpose is to make the world believe that movement is wide based.

A systematic campaign is in progress under patronage of RAW to brainwash Baloch youth, inculcate in them Baloch nationalism and turn them against concept of Pakistan. 20 teachers were sent in 2008 from Balochistan to Afghanistan for receiving training to subvert school/college syllabus in Balochistan as had been done in East Pakistan through Hindu teachers and professors. Pakistan History, social and Islamic studies in particular is being distorted. In many schools in Baloch dominated districts like Mastung, Kalat, Naushki, Sui, Dera Bugti and Kahan, students no more sing national anthem or display Pakistan flag or eulogize services of Quaid-e-Azam. Hatred against Punjabis, army and federal government is inculcated on grounds that they are plundering the resources of Balochistan and thriving on Baloch natural resources.

Pattern of propaganda themes is on lines played by Awami League in East Pakistan. Nawab Bugti is lionized as a Baloch hero and BLA projected as a vehicle struggling for emancipation and independence of Balochistan from the yoke of parasitic Punjabis who have colonised their province. BRA is eulogized for confronting the army. It has claimed responsibility for all acts of terror including target killings of Punjabi settlers. It is holding 21 police officials and 14 laborers as hostages since 30 July and has already killed 12 policemen and threatened to kill remaining abducted persons if arrested Baloch dissidents involved in anti-state activities are not immediately released. Pillions riding masked gunmen belonging to BLA are carrying out target killings of Punjabi settlers and Persian speaking Hazaras. Punjabi settlers have migrated from rural districts and are now moving out from Quetta as well.

PM Gilani showed photos of Brahamdagh meeting Indian officials in Afghanistan and India and RAW officials meeting anti-Pak elements to Manmohan at Sharm-al Sheikh. He was provided clinching evidence of Indian involvement in terrorist attacks on Sri Lanka cricket team on 3 March and on Manawan police academy on 30 March in Lahore rendering Manmohan speechless. Holbrooke and Gen Stanley McChrystal were also apprised of Indian activities. Pakistan should now do away with its harmful policy of appeasement and press India, Afghanistan and USA to hand over Brahamdagh, wind up his clandestine HQ in Kandahar, close Pakistan specific Indian consulates and camps training terrorists in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, socio-politico-economic steps should be undertaken in real earnest to remove genuine grievances of people of Balochistan. Media should play its role to wash away effects of negative propaganda bred into the minds of youth and inculcate in them nationalism and patriotism. A fervent celebration of 14 August Independence Day in Quetta on 10 August was a healthy activity to put to shame few anti-state elements aspiring to declare independence of Balochistan.

From Bangladesh to Balochistan | Asian Tribune

 

[Al-zakir]

By Asif Haroon Raja


Propaganda warfare and subversion of youth by Hindu teachers and professors in schools, colleges and universities was never countered. They were brainwashed into believing that Punjabi dominated central government had turned East Pakistan into its colony and West Pakistan was prospering at their cost.

Very true.

 

[eastwatch]

By Asif Haroon Raja

Propaganda warfare and subversion of youth by Hindu teachers and professors in schools, colleges and universities was never countered. They were brainwashed into believing that Punjabi dominated central government had turned East Pakistan into its colony and West Pakistan was prospering at their cost.

Not only the paragraph above, but almost all the contents of this essay with regard to the then east pakistan is preposterous. I would like people to note the following:

1) Even in the best of times, the budgetary allotment did not surpass 35% for the east, when majority Pakistanis lived in the east and they contributed more than 50% of taxes to the govt coffer.

2) All the defence HQs were in the west, most of the troops were mobilized in the west. A person does not have to be an economist to know that when the govt spends, it is earned by the people. It means, the govt money spent on the 300,000 to 500,000 troops as salaries and facilities in the west were the income of people in that part of the country.

3) During the 23 yrs with the west, the govt of Pakistan built three capitals of Pakistan, Karachi, Rawalpindi and finally Islamabad. At least 50% of these spendings were shared by the east.

4) In those 23 years, 70% of foreign exchange was earned by exporting jute from the east. But, more than 80% of industries were built in the west. Note that foreign currency is needed to build an industry.

5) Pakistan civil bureaucracy was stationed in the west. Think of all those expenses in the form of salaries and facilities spent in the west year after year.

There are hundred other cases of disparities. I think there are many books on the subject. If the writer of this essay is claiming that everything was taught by the HINDU teachers, then I would say, it is a pure propaganda by the ISI machine, and some people in BD are willingly supporting this kind of falsehood. This is an anti-State act.

People of BD knows very well about the milk and honey country called Pakistan (West Pakistan). We all know what is the political, social and economic situation in Pakistan. Still, some people lament for that Taleban country. Only today I have read the Talebans have destroyed 5 primary schools there.

I request all to be true to the only nation we have, that is BANGLADESH. Why to become an willing propaganda agent for ISI or RAW? It is real deragotary for a citizen. A common citizen is not a spy. A spy and a supporter are paid by an enemy country.

But, it is unfortunate that there are people in BD who do not even get a single penny, but willingly serve the interest of another country. This character of some of our people pushes the country to be dominated by others. Yesterday, it was Pakistan, today it is India. But, then again, some people are sowing the seeds for being dominated by Pakistan tomorrow. It is very strange. I say, grow up and be your own person. Why to do CHAMCHAMI?

Please read the news how Talebans are destroying primary schools. Hope, Talebans are not taught by HINDU teachers to do such a heinous thing.

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=601129&category=Frontend&Country=PAKISTAN

 

[SeaGull]

Well, Mr eastwatch how rich is your country now?West Pakistan is still richer then your country not to mention we're technically in war state still we're far more powerful then BD and not act like India's whore.Your MU-Rehman said that Bangladesh will become one of the richest nation after it gets freedom from Pakistan...What happened?Where is all that money now?You're still one of the poorest nation in the world.While i do agree Mistakes happened on both sides including West Pakistan.The Millitary action should have never been initiated however blame can not be put on one side only.If you think Pakistan won't be able solve Taliban problem then you're only kidding yourself.If we want we can make these guys our allies in months if not days.The Afghan war will end sooner or later..

Patriot > I know it hurts to hear something like this from someone for whom you have the very best wishes. The truth of the matter is both your and our country have been rather miserable in this area of leadership.
Neither of us has had a leader up until now, who it could be said had any kind of vision. And there has been ample of missed opportunities which filtered back to our masses. And it is not about Pakistan being richer than us.
The thrust of the argument of eastwatch is let us not look around for saviours anymore. We are on our own. Let us learn to stand on our own two feet and also learn to hold our heads high.
And why should we blame the Pakistanis for depriving us of our fair share. It was the leaders that led at that time as also it was our own leaders who we adored so much and the latter ones who deprived us - there has been no change in the script.

 

[Patriot]

Well Seagull the fact is Pakistanis and Bangladeshis should reconcile we have bigger issues then crying over 71 which was unfortunate problem.Unfortunately quite a lot of people from BD try to Bash Pakistan and Pakistanis and blame them for 71 debacle as if every single Pakistani was involved in 71 however on the other hand you can see Pakistani always have good wishes for Bangladesh and we always hope that Bangladesh become strong nation but a lot of Bangladeshis are not willing to reconcile.

 

[SeaGull]

Well Seagull the fact is Pakistanis and Bangladeshis should reconcile we have bigger issues then crying over 71 which was unfortunate problem.Unfortunately quite a lot of people from BD try to Bash Pakistan and Pakistanis and blame them for 71 debacle as if every single Pakistani was involved in 71 however on the other hand you can see Pakistani always have good wishes for Bangladesh and we always hope that Bangladesh become strong nation but a lot of Bangladeshis are not willing to reconcile.

Well what kind of reconciling do you have in mind?

 

[Patriot]

A truth and reconciliation tribunal along the lines of South Africa..

 

[SeaGull]

A truth and reconciliation tribunal along the lines of South Africa..

Don't you think it is much better for us to move on - there are so many problems besetting both of us.
As for bringing a sense of closure, as I see from this truth commission that was necessary for the people of S.Africa because they had to get along with each other under one roof, side by side. Which I do not see the parallels here. There should still be people criticising you and people from among us supporting you.
I think we can do better by building ourselves up in our own way or conversely self destructing as we see fit for ourselves, without having a scape goat around to hang the banner of blame.

 

[U-571]

i have read some words from hakim muhammad muhammad said's biography(a reknowned philanthropist) and he says that

"there were millionaire 20 family who became a thousand families, and these familes have hijacked the entire pakistani nation(talking about feudalism)"

so i think, its not about punjab and sindh and Baluchistan, meaning its not about the dominance of a certain race, (punjabis out number the other races in population by 62% but that doesn't mean, the entire race is to be blamed upon of the mishap), but, it is because of these feudals, that we saw the ideological disintegration of pakistan movement, and the collapse of a nation. know we know it was not about east pakistan and west pakistan anyhow. pakistanis as a whole have been suffering since the birth of a nation. corrupt leadership is guilty of this.

i know 1971 incident could have been prevented, if we had not disintegrated on communal base and hadn't become a tool of other enemies who wanted pakistan ideologically be razed into the ground. if we had struggled long before this incident for a better pakistan, together as one nation, then we would have seen a prosperous pakistan miles ahead of korea, japan china. how shamelessly we are behind india in terms of growing economy, which indeed rooted the hatred among us.

we have to move on any how.

but as a pakistani i must say, we must and have to learn this lesson which we haven't since 1971 before its too late, and struggle for our future.

 

[leonblack08]

The author of the article has his facts wrong.He said Sheikh Mujib was killed in 1974,it is actually 1975.
The biggest mistake he made was by saying independence did not change our fortune.I say he should visit Bangladesh urgently.

For a country starting everything from scratch,I think we are doing fair in terms of economy.It could have been better if we wouldn't have any corrupt politician.

 

[SeaGull]

i have read some words from hakim muhammad muhammad said's biography(a reknowned philanthropist) and he says that

"there were millionaire 20 family who became a thousand families, and these familes have hijacked the entire pakistani nation(talking about feudalism)"

so i think, its not about punjab and sindh and Baluchistan, meaning its not about the dominance of a certain race, (punjabis out number the other races in population by 62% but that doesn't mean, the entire race is to be blamed upon of the mishap), but, it is because of these feudals, that we saw the ideological disintegration of pakistan movement, and the collapse of a nation. know we know it was not about east pakistan and west pakistan anyhow. pakistanis as a whole have been suffering since the birth of a nation. corrupt leadership is guilty of this.

i know 1971 incident could have been prevented, if we had not disintegrated on communal base and hadn't become a tool of other enemies who wanted pakistan ideologically be razed into the ground. if we had struggled long before this incident for a better pakistan, together as one nation, then we would have seen a prosperous pakistan miles ahead of korea, japan china. how shamelessly we are behind india in terms of growing economy, which indeed rooted the hatred among us.

we have to move on any how.

but as a pakistani i must say, we must and have to learn this lesson which we haven't since 1971 before its too late, and struggle for our future.

Quite agree with you U-571 - It is feudalism and macho ego, just as bad as Hindu Brahmanism in India, that exploits the masses and rules over them in Pakistan
We have to get back to our roots - the teachings of our faith that condemns such mentality and see the lowly and the high on a level plain.
Thank you

 

[Gin ka Pakistan]

eastwatch: You know what, Now you can exporting your jute and other things and spend it as you like (good for your country) , Use your freedom to improve Bangladesh but remember now you can't blame any one else for any non- development in Bangladesh. Too bad your politician can't use "blaming the other game" any more to hide their corruptions for the last thirty eight years.
You know what west Pakistan is doing good without your jute.

I wish Pakistanis stuck in East will be welcome back in West Pakistan and we can Settle them in Balochistan and close this chapter for ever.

 

[eastwatch]

Well Seagull the fact is Pakistanis and Bangladeshis should reconcile we have bigger issues then crying over 71 which was unfortunate problem.Unfortunately quite a lot of people from BD try to Bash Pakistan and Pakistanis and blame them for 71 debacle as if every single Pakistani was involved in 71 however on the other hand you can see Pakistani always have good wishes for Bangladesh and we always hope that Bangladesh become strong nation but a lot of Bangladeshis are not willing to reconcile.

You have unnecessarily taunted BD's independence from west pakistan by asking how rich we have become now! Well, I can say that if we are not any richer than before, then at least you should be happy that we are not blaming you for that. Now, the independent people of BD blame only their own leaders, and the leaders do not have any scope to blame the Punjabis for their shortcomings. I think, it is a positive thing.

About the development of BD. In 1971 when BD separated from Pakistan, its GDP was only 10 billion dollar out of a total Pakistan GDP of $25b. Today its GNI is almost US$100 billion, even though population burden is too heavy. Population has doubled from 75 million to almost 150 million today.

Mujib govt started with only US$34 (yes, only thirty four dollar) of foreign currency in the coffer. Today the foreign exchange reserve has already surpassed US$8,000,000,000 or US$8 billion. Agriculture output has more than doubled after the separation. This year, because of 2 yrs of CTG, specially due to efforts made by Gen. MUA, our country has surplus of food.

When hardly 5,000 east pakistanis were there working in the middle east before 1971, today more than 5,000,000 Bangladeshis are working abroad. In the last fiscal these thin-bodied and black-skinned Bangalis have remitted almost $10 billion. Last year, Pakistanis sent only $7.62 billion. BD is not a bankrupt country and its PM/President are not roaming the western countries and China for loan. Whereas, this is what Pakistani leaders are doing.

Last year BD exported $15.36 billion worth of goods to the world market. The days of jute as a foreign exchange earner have already gone during the early 70s. It is because of invention of artificial fibers that jute has no international market today. But, during its heydays, this jute had built 3 Federal Capitals and many hundreds of industries in the west. Today, we are earning foreign currency by stitching clothes. It is a hard labour, but alhamdulillah.

We are doing fine without you and you should do better so that BD does not surpass your economy in the next 5 to 10 years. Why I say so is because when BD has chosen the way of economic development, unfortunately Pakistan has chosen the way of warfare.

After the collapse of USSR, I was expecting a very very robust economy for Pakistan. Pakistan was the only country there to get maximum access for its products to that market through Afghanistan. But, unfortunately it never was to be. Too much of religious superstitions have ruined that prospect. I wish you will get rid of your past mistakes and strive to build an economically strong Pakistan.

BD people welcome good relationship with and want to be a trading partner of Pakistan. But, please do never dream of an united Pakistan.

 

[Gin ka Pakistan]

BD people welcome good relationship with and want to be a trading partner of Pakistan. But, please do never dream of an united Pakistan.

West Pakistan has problems of its own ( a lot), we don't want to increase them more by uniting with over populated Bangladesh (more headaches).

eastwatch do you believe in united India ? just wana know your opinion

You have unnecessarily taunted BD's independence from west pakistan by asking how rich we have become now! Well, I can say that if we are not any richer than before, then at least you should be happy that we are not blaming you for that. Now, the independent people of BD blame only their own leaders, and the leaders do not have any scope to blame the Punjabis for their shortcomings. I think, it is a positive thing.

I second that

unfortunately Pakistan has chosen the way of warfare.

West Pakistan has a very important Strategic location in the world and let me tell you, USA give billions not for charity but because it needs Pakistan. In the capitalist word nothing is given for free. unfortunately Pakistan is in the way of third world war for Oil rich central Asia (India, China, Iran, Pakistan, USA, Russia, NATO all have eye on that Oil).

Coming to the topic in the thread Baluchistan is the gate way to Central Asia so Pakistan has to save it on all cost.

 

[Patriot]

Nobody here is dreaming about United Pakistan here.Our economy is bad not because of warfare but because of bad economic policies, bad governance.I just can't want to see END of WOT so our economy can recover.I just don't know where you got the idea from that Pakistanis want to see United Pakistani again..?