Bugti’s niece being harassed, threatened: HRCP urges Zardari, CM to ensure Samia’s security

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon President Asif Ali Zardari and Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif to ensure that Samia Mazari, Nawab Akbar Bugti’s niece and mother-in-law of Brahamdagh Bugti, is provided protection against harassment by intelligence agency operatives.

In letters addressed to the president and the CM, HRCP attracted attention to Mazari’s harassment by intelligence agencies. HRCP has highlighted that the agencies had been following her, harassing her and threatening to kill her. The letter urged the president and the CM to take prompt action “to ensure that Mazari’s security is guaranteed and that she is not harassed merely because of her relationship with a person about whom somebody in government may have unfavourable ideas”.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\05\01\story_1-5-2009_pg7_30

Fifth military operation in Baluchistan

Continuous military operations, killings and abduction of renowned Baloch leaders and activists by agencies as well as the taking over of provincial assets by federal government has created a sense of insecurity and discomfort among inhabitants of Balochistan, Abdul Rauf Mengal of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) told The News. They have been left with no other choice but to demand self-determination, he added.

Mengal, former National Assembly (NA) member, in an interview with The News, said that the assassination of renowned Baloch leader, Nawab Akbar Bughti, the recent Turbat incident (where three Baloch leaders were brutally killed by the agencies), missing persons issue and forcible occupation of provincial assets by the federal government are some of the reasons that have led the people of Balochistan to feel this way.

This is the fifth military operation in the province after the creation of Pakistan, while hundreds of people have reportedly gone missing. Mengal who resigned from his NA seat in protest of the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bughti in 2006, said that “the people of Balochistan are not interested in listening to government’s fake promises.” The federation has done nothing to restore confidence among locals, he added. There is no foreign hand involved in the Balochistan movement and such allegations are made by the government to defame the struggle of self-determination, Mengal said. “The government should provide proof to the media in this regard.

The policies adopted by the past and present governments have forced the people to opt for this,” he added. The Afghan immigrants brought weapons and sold it to various groups in Pakistan. The Baloch are using same weapons, he said. Mengal further said that the Balochs want control of provincial assets, a demand that has been turned down by every government, thus causing anger and resentment among the people.

“In 1951, natural gas was discovered in Sui, and supplied to every part of the country. But, ironically, the people of Sui have no gas connection and they use firewood for cooking,” he said adding that “Balochistan has 1,000km seashore and earns Rs60 million from the fisheries but all the income goes to the federal government. Same is the case with Sui Gas.”

Born on October 16, 1968, Mengal got a Bacehlor’s degree in Political Sciences and did his Master’s in Mass Communication from the Balochistan University. He joined the Balochistan Student Organisation (BSO) in mid 80s and served as the zonal and central member of the organisation in various capacities.

Mengal was an active member of the BSO. At the time, when the federal government dissolved the Balochistan government and barred the National Awami Party (NAP) from political activities, he launched the Balochistan National Youth Movement to fill the political cap.

Asked whether or not it is true that Sardars and the chiefs of Baloch tribes are in favour of providing standard education and health facilities to their people, Mengal said that this was just an allegation. They (the Sardars and chiefs) have provided free land for schools and hospitals in different areas, he added.

Atta Ullah Mengal and Mir Ghous Buksh Bezanjo served the province as chief minister and governor respectively while Mengal’s government was axed after nine months. However, during his regime, the medical college and university were there and functioning properly, he added.

Since then (30 years ago) there has been no university-level education institute in the province. Now, an engineering university is being setup in Khuzdar and 1,500 acres of land was provided free of cost for this purpose. In Makran division, there is no Sardari system but the situation is the same and there is dearth of education, he said. “Once I told the NA that there are 35,000 federal employees, only 19 of them Baloch and none of them are working as secretaries or deputy secretaries,” he added. Furthermore, in Balochistan House (Islamabad), there is only one Baloch among the 70 employees, while their salaries are drawn from the province, he added.

There is no concept of carpeted roads, standard medical and education system, and people use animal carts for commuting one place to another in the remote areas, he said. He demanded the United Nations to help the 0.15 million families to resettle in their homeland — these people are living in other provinces because of the law-and-order situation. Also, the Balochs need to be facilitated in recovering the missing people and the military operation against them must come to an immediate end, he added.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=174971

Where is my brother Mohammad Iqbal Baloch? sister's plea

Balochistan: We live in a world where powerful countries suppress weaker nations and occupy their countries and make the inhabitants their slaves using different means and ways of slavery. Those powerful countries’ secret services have always played an important role in keeping other smaller nation as slaves. When baloch struggle for independence intensified in early 2000 this didn’t please the agencies (ISI, MI) of the so called Islamic republic of Pakistan. From 2000-2008 they have abducted almost 8000 innocent Baloch youth including women from all spheres of life. Iqbal Baloch who hails from Mand Balochistan has also become prey of the Pakistani agencies. 27 years old Iqbal Baloch is a BA student and used to work in a PCO (Public Call Office) in his free time.

On 14th August 2007, my brother Iqbal Baloch set off from home with some of his friend for a picnic to famous picnic point between Thump and Mand area called “Ziarat Kalig”. He has never returned home since 14th August 2007. Those days Pakistani occupying force were carrying out a military offensive in that Kalig and surrounding area against innocent Baloch people. The Pakistani army had arrested seventeen innocent Baloch in that operation and my brother Iqbal Baloch and three of his friends were also among them. As I have mentioned earlier that the Pakistani terrorist forces have arrested seventeen Baloch altogether. On 16th February 2008, the three friends of my brother have been released after sever torture and humiliation but my brother Iqbal Baloch is still missing.

We have no news of his whereabouts. We also don’t know whether he is still alive or he has been killed by these savage agencies of Pakistan. We have set on token hunger strike in front of press clubs with other Baloch families who’s loved one were missing. We have recorded our protest in all democratic and peaceful means but nothing happened in other word “all in vain”. Even though we have ended our protests after a provincial minister has assured us that my brother Iqbal Baloch and other families’ loved ones will be released or produced to a court within six days, but nothing happened afterward. It seems the provincial minister has power infect the whole Balochistan cabinet is helpless before these notorious agencies (ISI and MI).

My brother Iqbal Baloch and other thousands of Baloch are in the custody of Pakistani agencies, who have been in control of this unnatural state of Pakistan from last 62 years. Today Baloch mothers, sister, and other relatives are forced to go out in streets to protest against the illegal abduction of their sons, brothers, husbands and fathers. After my brother’s forced-disappearance my aged mother’s health is deteriorating day by day. She lost her eye sight due to everyday crying for her son. I and my parants are still waiting for Iqbal Baloch to returen home. We don’t know whether he has been killed nor is he still alive? My brother and other thousands of Baloch youths' only fault is that they are Baloch and they were born in Balochistan.

I on behalf of all Baloch families appeal to the international community, UN, US, UK and the EU to take notice of the atrocities of Pakistani army and agencies in Balochistan. Please help us put a stop on forced-disappearance in Balochistan.

Where is Kabeer Baloch and Attaullah Baloch ; Families

The family members of Kabeer Baloch and Attaullah Baloch, who were abducted on 27 March 2009, have appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to take “Sue Moto” action to make sure the return of their loved ones. They said that there dear ones are missing and we don’t know about their whereabouts. We do not even know whether they are still alive or they have been killed in custody like many other Baloch youth.

said that chief justice should take action on such inhumane acts of the intelligence agencies of Pakistan. Talking to media they stated that state brutalities are at peak, no one is sage any longer from these state mercenaries. Government is continuing the massacre of Baloch people. Security forces and secret services agencies are violating the law. Innocent youth are being arrested extra-judicially on daily bases. They are kept in state sponsored dungeons and they are subjected to severe torture. Their lives are in danger but the courts seem to be helpless before these notorious agencies i.e. ISI and MI.

Baloch people have lost faith on the Pakistani justice system and they are now openly demanding for Independence. When the entire department are helpless and have no power to stop the brutal state sponsored agencies then people chose their own ways to protect themselves.

Our father should be released on humanitarian grounds: Sher Baz Bugti

Quetta: Sherbaz Bugti, Safaraz Bugti and Mumtaz Bugti have said in a joint press release that their father Noor Mohammad Bugti has been abducted the agencies (ISI) from his office in 2008. He has not returned home since his sudden abduction. We do not know where is he kept and whether he is alive or not? They said we are worried because of his absence. Our father was government employer; he has no affiliation with any political party or any organisation. We wait for him day and night hoping that some day he will return home give us his loves and kindness. He is being punished for crimes he did not commit. Being a Baloch or a Bugti is not a crime.

They said we appeal to higher courts that if there are any cases against our father then he should be produced to the court of law and he should have right to a public trail. In the end they appealed once again that their father should be released on humanitarian grounds.

Railway track blown up in Quett, one hurt in Dera Bugti blast

Quetta: A portion of railway track was blown up near Degree College Quetta – capital of Balochistan, late Tuesday night. According to details an explosive device had been placed under the track near the degree college in the Sariab area, which exploded with a big bang creating panic in the area. The blast cut of rail link of Quetta to rest the country.

Meanwhile a man identifying himself as the spokesman of Lashkar-e-Balochistan a previously little known Baloch resistance organisation, claimed the responsibility for blowing up the railway track in Quetta. The spokesman Mr Lavang Baloch said that his organisation will continue such attacks until the Independence of Balochistan.

In a separate incident of a landmine explosion one man has suffered serious injuries in Peer Koh area of Dera Bugti. Source said that he was walking alongside that road when he stepped over a landmine that was planted by unknown person (s). He has been taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition

FC deployed in Balochistan University and Degree College

Quetta: FC has been deployed in Balochistan University, Degree College and polytechnic College after Baloch Student hoited the flag of Independent Balochistan on these buildings. According to sources the FC has set up a permanent base in the two Colleges and Balochistan University. All the hostels have been raided and FC had tried to arrest the students. The Pakistani FC (Frontier constabulary has forced the College administration to lower the Independent Balochistan’s flag. After the brutal murder of three Baloch political leaders it has become a tradition all over Balochistan to hoist the flag of Balochistan in schools and other government building.

The students however refuse to sing Pakistan’s National anthem and said that they are adamant to hoist the flag of independent Balochistan flag on every building and offices. BSO girls’ wing has succeeded to hoist the flag of independent for few hours only, later to avoid any unpleasant incident they lowered the flag themselves.

On late Tuesday night thousands of Pakistan security personal backed with hundreds tanks and heavy weapons raided the Colleges and the Balochistan University. When the staff arrived in the morning the Colleges and University were turned into an army garrison.

Meanwhile different social organisations have strongly condemned the FC for besieging the educational buildings. They said that the government is systematically trying to close the doors of education for Baloch students. The presence of FC will further deteriorate the situations, they warned.

On the other hand intellectuals, teachers and other civil society members have also strongly condemned the deployment of FC in Balochistan University and said that the FC should immediately be removed from the Colleges and the University. Students cannot attend the College until the FC remains there. That is why to defuse and clam the situation is important the FC should go back to their barracks and let the students to continue their education. The organisation further said that the raid and siege of the educational departments proved that the government has failed to control the law and order situation in Balochistan.

Deployment of FC will have negative impacts on the education of students and it is a deliberate attempt to sabotage the peaceful atmosphere of the University and the Colleges.

Balochistan woes

When exclusion through discriminated access and lack of equitable distribution of benefits from resources gets a regional or religious identity, it turns the natural resources from a blessing to a curse. This is exactly what is happening in Balochistan for many decades. Balochistan's underdevelopment and poverty is exaggerated by political instability, the law-and-order situation, and growing insurgency. Americans are openly claiming that Al Qaeda leaders are in Balochistan and the option of drone attacks there is already on the cards.

One cannot ignore the ground realties and blame external factors for the unrest in Balochistan. The Baloch have been deprived of their due share and local resources for too long and now they have come to a stage where they don't believe in sharing but demand "local resources for the local people." The mysterious killing of three nationalist leaders has reignited the anti-federation movement in Balochistan. Even those nationalist parties which want to be part of the political system have to face strong criticism because of their failure to win their rights of the province through the formal political process. The ordinary Baloch still faces police cases filed on political grounds, abductions, and extrajudicial killings. For an ordinary Baloch the provincial budget is always deficit where the public-sector development programmes are linked to the release of royalty funds by the central government.

Balochistan was the first province where gas was discovered, back in 1953. Even today it produces almost 30 percent of the natural gas in Pakistan. It has received only 12.4 percent its royalties from the federal government. The backlog dating back to 1953 runs into tens of billions of rupees. The federal government confesses it does not have the funds to pay them. The effect of non-payment of royalties on the public development in Balochistan could have been compensated by supply of gas to the province. However, it is an irony that Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, did not receive gas until 1986, and partially, because a military cantonment had been established there. Even today just five out of 26 districts in Balochistan have gas supply and Quetta city has only 4 CNG filling stations. So the province receives neither its share of the gas it produces, nor the royalties. This situation provides the provincial government an easy excuse not to fulfil its obligations for public development in the province.

According to research carried out by the SDPI and the United Nations' World Food Programme, Dera Bugti is the worst food-insecure district of Pakistan, after Tharparker. The worst 20 food insecure districts of Pakistan contain 11 districts of Balochistan. Poverty and marginalisation have a direct linkage with violence and militancy. When people get deprived of their basic rights find no harm in challenging the status quo through violence. At least they get their voice heard and may turn the system in their favour. While in the NWFP one may blame Islamic militants behind the militancy and growing insurgencies, in Balochistan extremism is increasing due to socio-economic marginalisation.

All major political parties are supportive of reforming the current population-based criterion of the NFC Award in a way that would take into account regional disparities and other concerns of federating units. Perhaps one should ask Rehman Malik whether India and Russia are also supporting the existing conflict-generating formula for resource distribution among provinces and the centre.

We may not have learnt anything from fall of Dhaka. However, one needs to learn from fall of Swat and Buner. The grievances of the Baloch have to be addressed without ado; otherwise it would be impossible to control the fire in Balochistan.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=174643

Eight more killed as Dera Bugti offensive continues

Dera Bugti: Local sources and Balochistan National media reported that eight more civilian have been killed in the second day of army offensive in Klair Khando village of Marav area in Dera Bugti. Residents of the area said these people were ordinary villagers who were busy harvesting their crops when they were attacked by Pakistani army backed with gunship helicopters and armed vehicles.

Meahwhile Sarbaz Baloch of BRA published the names of five Baloch Freedom Fighter who were martyred in a gun battle with Pakistani occupying force on 25th April 2009. He identified the militants as Saifuddin Bugti, Ali Nawaz Bugti, Razi Bugti, Mosam Bugti and Mehmood.

On the other hand Faisal Bugti gave the names and ages of those unarmed Baloch who were killed during an army offensive in Klair Khando village of Marav area in Dera Bugti. He identified the victims of pakistani army brutality as Kalairi Bugti, age 6 years, Gull Khan Bugti, age 5 years and Jallav Bugti, age approximately 4 years. He further stated that two man aged 70 year and six (6) women age between 35 – 40 years were also killed the latest military offensive. He also said that 12 people have been injured in the early morning attack in the same area. Mr Faisal Baloch gave these details while speaking to Radio Gwank Balochistan.

Dera Bugti: Eighteen killed including women and children, helicopter shot down and 10 pakistani troops killed : BLA

Dera Bugti: Fierce fighting has erupted between Pakistani security forces and Baloch Freedom fighters after Pakistan army besieged Marokh area in Dera Bugti and killed eighteen innocent unarmed civilians. BRP spokesman Sher Mohammad Bugti said that Marokh is 4 kilometres from Dera Bugti and there are no gas installations that FC would go there to protect it. A local resident of the area Mr Faisal Bugti said that Eighteen people including women and children have embraced martyrdom so far. He said that the security force have besieged the area and no one is being allowed to move the dead bodies and shift the injured to a hospital. He further said that FC has deliberately set the standing corps on fire and destroyed peoples' houses.

On the other hand BLA's spokesman Mr Bevragh Baloch said that his organisation has killed 10 Pakistani troops and shot down a helicopter. He said the this attack was the retaliation of Baloch Freedom fighters against the killing of 18 unarmed and defenceless Baloch women and Children in Dera Bugti's Marokh area, Reported BBC urdu and Balochistan National media.

Meanwhile Sarbaaz Baloch of BRA (Baloch Republican Army) has also spoken to different National newspapers and said that Baloch Freedom fighters of BRA have killed nineteen Pakistan soldiers including an army major during a four hour fierce battle, three army vehicles have been destroyed and a helicopter was also damaged. He said that five Baloch freedom fighters have also received martyrdom in this battle.

Latest reports of Balochistan local media say that the fighting is still on. Dera bugti is once again under siege by occupying Pakistani forces. It is worth noting that these barbaric attacks on Baloch civilians has stated only weeks after three Baloch political leaders had been abducted and brutally murdered by Pakistani agencies.

Pakistan's president instead of arresting the perpetrators have declared them innocent before any inquiries.

Baloch are fighting for Freedom – Comrade Abdul Nabi Bangulzai

Panjgur : Ex-BSO chairman and top leader of Baloch National liberation Mir Abdul Nabi Bangulzai said that Baloch are struggling for their Freedom and nothing less then Independent will be accepted. We have never struggle for autonomy nor will we do so in future.

The parliamentarian are cheating Baloch Nation and trying to divert the Baloch National struggle. Revolution means “change” and Baloch are fighting for freedom, Nawab Khair Baksh Marri is not struggling to keep his Sardari (Tribal- chieftain) infect he is struggling for freedom for Balochistan. Every Baloch should join this great struggle and stand should to shoulder with each other. He said that our stance is clear and media should report our views boldly that we are fighting for freedom only. If media can not tolerate (dare to publish our stance) then it should not distort our point of view.

Scholars have had an important role in freedom struggles that is why it is necessary that Baloch scholars should join and become a part of Baloch freedom struggle. For our freedom we will even accept help from enemies if we have to.

He said Baloch national struggle is getting popularity among all ages of people in Balochistan which not the result of emotional slogans but it is the result of a practical and ideological struggle. It is high time that Baloch leaders forget their differences and unite on one platform to make the National liberation struggle successful. Explaining regarding one of his earlier statement Mir Bangulzai said that after Nawab Bugti's martyrdom Nawab Marri's stance is very clear whereas some Baloch leader are still stuck with 1973's position. Their stubbornness is not benefiting the Baloch cause. Baloch are proud of their thousands years of culture and history. Baloch martyrs have watered the Baloch history and traditions with their blood (precious lives). BNM's secretary general Mr khalil Baloch and doctor manan Baloch were also present at the occasion.

BHRC Canada protest against the murder of three Baloch political leaders

Canada; BHRC (Press Release on April 23, 2009) Balochistan Human Rights Council of Canada, Vancouver, chapters through their rally appealed to the United Nations and Canadian government to notice and help to stop further extra judicial killing of Baloch leaders and activists by Pakistani intelligence agencies and to get to the heart of the catastrophic and unbearable situation of Balochistan.

We are gathered here today against the judicial killing of three significant Baloch leaders whom were kidnapped in broad day light on April 3rd, 2009 from a court chamber. They were Advocates of Kachkol Ali in Turbat, Balochistan. He was a Balochistan Assembly opposition leader and he has been an eyewitness of brazen kidnapping of three Baloch leaders.

The Pakistani state sponsored terrorist intelligence first tortured three leaders inhumanly, in barbaric methods that these three leaders suffered gun shots in their head. They committed the murder of three Baloch leaders: Mir Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Lala Munir Baloch and Sher Mohammad Baloch.


According to reports their dead bodies were carried by Pakistani Army helicopters and thrown 35 kilometers away from the location they disappeared and their dead bodies were found on April 8th, 2009 in the hills of Balochistan.

Of great notice is that the leader Mir Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, who negotiated with the United Nations staff along with the prominent Baloch leader Nawab Khair Baksh Marri, was a participant in releasing United Nation refugee agency director John Solecki. It was due to the efforts of these Baloch leaders that the United Nation refugee agency executive was released on April 2nd, 200. And surprisingly the next day of his release three Baloch leaders were kidnapped by Pakistani intelligence agencies.

The UN and US Embassy in Islamabad have both strongly condemned the barbaric acts and murder of three Baloch leaders. The United Nations showed their condolence to their families and called their murder a “serious concern”.
BHRC is highlighting all human rights violations against their people in Western (Iranian occupied Balochistan) and Eastern (Pakistani occupied Balochistan). Iranian government is executing Baloch religious scholars and human rights activists because Baloch are a Sunni minority who are ruled by a Shia majority regime.

BHRC of Canada wants to remind the democratic world and the United Nations that since 2005 the there has been operations by the bloody Pakistani military against the Baloch people. Till today, there are hundreds of innocent Baloch included political activists, leaders, students and 141 Baloch women who are under the Pakistani military detention. They are being tortured and even 23 year old female Baloch teacher Zarina Marri has been kept as a sex slave by Pakistani military officers.

But they keep denying, similarly in January 2005 Pakistani military officer Hamed raped a female physician, Dr. Shazia Khalid in Sui, Balochistan. The state head, former dictator Pervez Musharraf, declared that his army officer is not guilty, till today he is free without any charge.

In Balochistan all the disappearances have been exposed by Baloch families who’ve tried all avenues such as hunger strikes, rally, press briefing, demonstration and have been approaching the Pakistani court and justice system for four years. They have been demanding to bring their loved ones to court, charge if they have committed any illegal act or else release them. But years have passed; there is no progress on this till today even under the present civilian government of Pakistan.

BHRC condemned both non-democratic and fundamentalist regimes of Pakistan and Iran their human rights violations against the Baloch people in both occupied Balochistan.

Aziz Baloch
BHRC (Vancouver, chapters)

Public meeting: The Baluch - Invisible Victims of the ‘War on Terror’

London: Baluchistan human rights activists, Hyrbyair Marri and Faiz Baluch, were acquitted of terrorism charges by a London court on 11 February 2009.

The 15-month case served to highlight the close cooperation between the UK and Pakistan governments in the so-called “war on terror”. Defending Baluch, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC said he was a “casualty of geopolitics” and the US led war on terror.

The Baluch people, long enduring fierce repression, have been campaigning for democracy, human rights and self-determination. Repression was intensified during the former regime of General Musharraf, but there has been little let up since the change of government in Pakistan.

Baluchistan is the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, but the region cuts across the borders in to Afghanistan and Iran. The Baluch are one of the world’s unrecognised nations now struggling for survival in the face of “unprecedented levels of repression”, and “suffering a slow death” in the words of Helena Kennedy QC.

During the trial of the two activists, even the prosecution accepted the Baluch people were an oppressed minority, and that they have been victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Pakistani military, police and intelligence services. There has been indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, extra-judicial killings, disappearances, torture, detention without trial and collective punishments such as the destruction of villages, crops and livestock.

These countless violations of international law largely go unnoticed by political leaders in the democracies of the West because they are keen to maintain their close strategic alliance with Pakistan. It is time that these policies were changed and that the Baluch were granted the legitimate rights enjoyed by the peoples of the world.



Date and Time: Tuesday, 5 May, 7pm
Venue: Committee Room 4a, House of Lords
United Kingdom
London SW1A 0PW


Hosted and chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC

Speakers include

Ms Gareth Peirce, human rights lawyer
Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner
Mir Hyrbyair Marri, exiled Baloch political leader
Faiz Baluch, human rights activist



The meeting is sponsored by CAMPACC www.campacc.org.uk
For information contact Estella estella24@tiscali.co.uk tel 020 7586 5892

Click to see more pictures of the BNF rally in Quetta BNF protest Video by BBC urdu

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/multimedia/2009/04/090420_bnf_rally.shtml

Balochistan is a ticking time bomb

Balochistan is Pakistan's poorest, most backward and most neglected province and there have been several insurgencies spearheaded by the Baloch nationalist groups over the past six decades that have been crushed by the military.

The danger is that amidst all of Pakistan's other problems - economic difficulties, political unrest and the Taliban insurgency in the north - the Baloch will come to feel increasingly neglected and forgotten.

Balochistan needs a political solution and quickly, but so far the government has failed to implement sufficient remedial measures to alleviate poverty, arrest the economic downturn, alleviate the massive unemployment and illiteracy in the province or even talk to the dissidents.

The situation is particularly sensitive now that the US wants to launch a military operation in the province, which it claims is a safe haven for Taliban and Al Qaida operatives.

The brutal killings of three Baloch nationalist leaders - Gulam Mohammad Baloch, Lala Munir Baloch and Sher Mohammad Baloch - earlier this month have once again ignited the insurgency in the mineral, oil and gas-rich province.

At least 16 people were killed in the ensuing violence, while dozens of others were injured and many government buildings were attacked by rioters.

The victims included not only policemen, but also several persons who had come to Balochistan from other parts of the country to seek work.

The Baloch Libration Army (BLA), the rebel group comprising Baloch nationalists, claimed the killings had avenged the murder of their leaders. They alleged that the intelligence agencies were behind the assassinations, while the government said they had been carried out by forces conspiring to destabilise the country.

The three nationalists who were killed were members of the committee that was recently formed by the government of Pakistan to investigate hundreds of missing persons cases in the province, notably that of abducted United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees official John Solecki, who was freed on April 4.

Though President Asif Ali Zardari last month announced a Dh2.2 billion development package for Balochistan, this was not enough to mollify the nationalists, who rejected the move - sending a clear message that they do not trust the government.

The government should do everything it can to speed up the reconciliation process in the interests of the country. The situation could get out of control if the nationalists join forces with the Taliban and Al Qaida.

The government cannot afford to fight on two fronts, as it is already struggling to deal with the terrorist elements that are holed up in the tribal areas along the border. If the insurgency in Balochistan is not addressed, it will give the US the excuse it needs to launch a military operation and drone attacks in the province.

The government needs to act to resolve all outstanding issues with the Baloch people to strengthen the federation and bring peace. Chiefs and clan leaders of the powerful Marri, Bugti and Mengal tribes have been in the forefront of the insurgency.

Previously, Baloch nationalists demanded greater provincial autonomy within the federation of Pakistan, but today the situation has worsened and many Baloch nationalists are demanding a separate country for themselves - a demand that is threatening the federation.

The long-dormant crisis erupted in Balochistan in 1973 into an insurgency that lasted four years and became increasingly bitter. The insurgency was eventually put down by the Pakistan army.

One of the main Baloch grievances was the influx of Punjabi settlers, miners, and traders into their resource-rich but sparsely populated lands. Balochistan is rich in minerals and has 40 per cent of Pakistan's gas reserves.

In 2004, the Baloch rebels again took up arms against the federal government, with the BLA, Balochistan Liberation Front, and People's Liberation Army conducting operations.

The Gwadar Port project, which employed close to 500 Chinese nationals at that time, was one of the rebels' targets. Three Chinese engineers were killed by the BLA. Gwadar airport was attacked by rockets at midnight in May 2004.

Violence reached a crescendo in March of 2005, when the Pakistani security forces killed Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, a 79-year-old tribal leader, who had fought against the government for decades, despite being a member of several governments.

Bugti's killing sparked intensive fighting between the tribal militia and government soldiers, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people.

Since then, the seething unrest in the province has led to feelings of increased hatred against the government and the security forces, who are blamed for the killing of ethnic leaders.

The insurgency was put on hold when Zardari and Baloch groups declared a ceasefire last year. But fighting broke out once again after the government failed to follow up the truce with meaningful talks. As a result of the distractions of the political and economic crisis, the wide-ranging grievances of the alienated Baloch people have not been addressed.

http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/world/10305333.html

Washington DC: rally seeks UN help for Baluchistan

Washington DC: (April 17, 2009) A highly successful protest rally in front of the Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC demanded complete pullout of Pakistani troops and intelligence services from Baluchistan and granting the blood-torn region their right to self determination.

The rally organized by Baluch human rights activist Maqbool Aliani and American Friends of Baluchistan (AFB) leaders Nabi Baloch, Laurie Deamer and Mohammed Ali Baloch condemned Pakistan for genocide and state terrorism in Baluchistan.

Maqbool Aliani opened the rally by remarking that the Baluch struggle is no longer for autonomy or provincial rights but for total independence. "We have tried dialogue and democracy with Pakistani establishment but death and destruction is all we get in return", he said. He said that the Baluch have been pushed to the point of no return and demanding anything less than independence would be a disservice to the entire Baluch nation.

The protest rally was organized to mark the killing of three notable Baluch activists from Mekran Ghulam Mohammed Baluch, Lal Munir Baluch and Sher Mohammed Baluch. The three were abducted from their lawyer's office on April 3, shot in the head the very same day and their bodies dropped from a military helicopter in the desolate foothills of Piadarak, outside Turbat, their friends and family said.

Speaking at the rally, Baluch notable Zain Magsi, whose maternal grandfather Agha Abdul Karim led the first revolt against Pakistani occupation of Baluchistan in March 1948, condemned the loot and plunder and killings in Baluchistan for six decades now.
Zain Magsi said Baluchistan is under occupation right now after being colonized.

"Its resources are being exploited in the interest of the Pakistani military and civil establishment. It is a series of tragedies that have been happening for well over half century. A constant barrage of atrocities and injustices committed by the state of Pakistan. If things would have been done properly the Baluch nation would not have risen up in arms."

He said like any free people on the face of earth the Baluch have the right to determine their own future. "The Baluch people have taken initiatives in various ways so that their plight can be noticed by the world community."

Nabi Baluch, presiding council member of the AFB, said the assassinations of Baluch leaders and political workers were an attempt to create despondency among the masses. "The looting of Baluch national resources and ethnic cleansing of indigenous Baluch people are part of this tragedy that is the story of Baluchistan. We would not let this continue any more and we hope that the direction Pakistan is heading to will expedite the disintegration of the country as a whole," Nabi Baluch said. He continued on to say that countries can never be run on religious ideologies. "However, Pakistani leaders neglected to take a note of this stupidity on their part and today Pakistan can undermine the well-being of the entire world." He said the AFB admires Barahamadgah Bugti, Hairbyair Marri, Akhtar Mengal and Hasil Bizenjo as the harbingers of change in Baluchistan who will carry the torch of freedom to its logical conclusion. "We urge American policy makers to help us and save us from the atrocities of the Pakistani military," the AFB leader said.

Mir Akram Baluch, a notable from Kharan who was a close friend of slain Ghulam Mohammed, said the life of every Baluch is insecure in Pakistan. "Is this what Islam has taught them, to kill innocent people? If this is their teaching then the Baluch would reject Islam and become Christians or adopt any other faith," Mir Akram Baluch said.

AFB leader Laurie Deamer paid tributes to the three martyrs and expressed her anguish over the continued atrocities in Baluchistan. A firm believer in social justice and an independent statehood for Baluchistan, Deamer thanked everyone for the successful gathering showed the Baluch people were determined to realize their dream of freedom.

Tomohiro Yokokawa, a Japanese social analyst, condemned Islamabad for trying to portray the legitimate struggle of the Baluch leaders as a terrorist movement. "The state of Pakistan is itself committing terrorism in Baluchistan," Yokokawa said.

U.S. citizen and native of Washington, DC, David Vurdelja, said he was present at the rally to support his Baluch friends in their hour of need. "It's tragic and disturbing that these acts create fear for Baluch people in their day to day life. I know the Baluch have been engaged in a long drawn struggle to retain their historic identity and get fair treatment as a national entity."

Waja Karim Bakhsh Baloch, a devout nationalist formerly from Qatar, drove all the way from Atlantic City to caution the world against Pakistan state machinations. Speaking in his native Baluchi language, he said the Pakistani government was trying to mislead the world that there was no difference between the Taliban and the secular Baluch nationalist movement. "To the contrary, the Baluch present the most formidable force to counter the Taliban."

Well-known Sindhi intellectual Professor Jawaid Bhutto, paying glowing tributes to the three martyrs of Baluchistan and said the struggle waged by the Baluch people had produced a galaxy of martyrs including Nawab Nauroz Khan and Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

The protesters led by Maqbool Aliani, Nabi Baluch and Akram Baluch later handed the resolutions adopted at the rally to an official of the Pakistan embassy and lodged their protest with embassy officials.

Others who spoke on the occasion were World Sindhi Institute board member Ayesha Babar, Sindhi intellectual Khalid Hashmani and Hakim Baloch.

Later at an informal luncheon meeting, AFB leader Mohammed Ali Baluch said the services of the slain Ghulam Mohammed Baluch were recognized by both the United Nations and the U.S. government. He added Pakistan has committed a crime against humanity by its execution of world acclaimed Baluch leaders who played a key role in winning freedom for John Solecki, UN High Commission for Refugees.

TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION

This rally of American, Baluch, Sindhi and other human rights activists in front of the Pakistan Embassy on Friday April 17, 2009 condemns the Pakistan army and its intelligence services, notably the world infamous Inter Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence, for the Nazi-style execution of three prominent Baluch leaders Ghuam Mohammed Baloch, Lala Munir Baloch and Sher Mohammed Baloch after their abduction by the said intelligence sleuths on April 3, 2009.

This rally notes that the state of Pakistan is flagrantly violating human dignity through killings of Baluch patriots and has made a mockery of the writ of law in Baluchistan primarily because of its own military, paramilitary and intelligence agencies continued genocide of the Baluch people and unbridled state terrorism.

This rally condemns Pakistan army and its intelligence services, all of who are rogue and terrorists, for inflicting war crimes on the people of Baluchistan and elsewhere, including Afghanistan and India, and holds them responsible for endangering the future of humanity by supporting religious extremists against the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

This rally believes the announcement of Interior Advisor Rehman Malik that Pakistan will reward Rs 5 million for information leading to the arrest of the killers of Ghulam Mohammed Baloch, Lala Munir Baloch and Sher Mohammed Baloch is not only an eyewash but adds insult to injury and further proves the rogue nature of the Pakistani state as each and every human in Baluchistan knows that killers are the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) agents.

This rally calls for immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Pakistan's armed forces, Frontier Corp, ISI and MI from Baluchistan and stationing of international peacekeeping forces under UN aegis to ensure the basic, birth and democratic right of the people of Baluchistan, including their inalienable right to self determination.

EXILED BALOCH LEADER HYRBAIR MARRI'S INTERVIEW ON AAJ TV

http://awaz.tv/playvideo.asp?pageId=3192

Slain Baloch leaders’ lawyer goes into hiding

Kachkol Ali, the lawyer of three slain Baloch leaders, has gone into hiding because his life is in danger, sources said.

Ali witnessed the kidnapping of the three Baloch leaders from his office. Their bodies were later recovered from a deserted spot. Almost all Baloch nationalist leaders are of the view that though the captors wore plain clothes, various signs indicated that they were from military intelligence agencies. These nationalist leaders claim that the reason behind their apprehension is the fact that a number of Baloch people have disappeared after witnessing intelligence agents in action.

According to local journalists, the agencies men are now hunting for Kachkol Ali and his houses, both in Quetta and Panjgore, are under surveillance, while his office in Turbat city has been cordoned off by plain-clothed personnel.

Ali was the leader of opposition in Balochistan Assembly in the previous government and he was a lawyer for many Baloch leaders. He had already stated that he believed that the Military Intelligence sleuths were to blame for the abduction of the three activists, and that he saw two Frontier Corps (FC) vehicles without number plates following the cars that took away the three men.

The nationalist leaders claim that paramilitary forces, such as the FC, have been deployed in all Baloch-dominated cities and the personnel are busy curbing the activities of citizens, who are trying to protest the murder of the three activists.

It is quite clear that the illegal and often lethal acts of state agencies in Balochistan – and the impunity they enjoy – will only serve to further deteriorate the situation in the province.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=172729

We Only Want Freedom:Brahamdag Bugti

Baloch Republican Party chief Brahamdagh Bugti has appealed to the United States and India to help Baloch people against Pakistan, a private TV channel reported on Wednesday.

Talking to the channel, Bugti said, “We will welcome India’s help for the Baloch people.” Bugti told the channel that the military operation was being carried out only in those parts of Balochistan where the Baloch live while the areas where the Punjabis resided were “exempted”.

He said the Baloch were fighting for their rights, adding that the cruelties perpetrated on them were never highlighted by the media, the channel said.

“We do not recognise the Constitution of 1973. We only want freedom,” he added.

The channel quoted him as saying that Balochistan had never been considered a part of the country and “the Baloch people have always been considered as slaves”. He said they had been ‘forced’ to put up resistance against the usurpation of their rights.

“Isn’t it a wrong that the people of the very district from where gas is being explored have to use wood for fire while the facility of gas is available in every house in Punjab,” he said. He said no one had ever protested against the killing of the Baloch leaders and the wrong being done to the Baloch. He said the rulers wanted to take control of the resources of Balochistan by suppressing the Baloch people.

Protest in Balochstan and Karachi continue against the murder of Baloch leaders

Balochistan: A massive protest rally was held in front of Karachi press club, clashes have been reported between Pakistani security forces and angry Baloch mobs in all Baloch populated areas in Karachi and Balochistan.

Baloch leaders speaking on the occasion paid rich tributes to the Baloch Martyrs said that Pakistan has shown its hatred toward Baloch by brutally murdering Baloch political leaders. Speakers said that Balochistan was never a part of Pakistan and Baloch people still do not consider themselves as Pakistanis. They that sovereign state Balochistan were occupied at gunpoint by the state of Pakistan.

The genocide of Baloch is being committed since 1948, and Pakistan has always got away with crimes against humanity in Balochistan. Now it is time for the Baloch people to convince the International Community that Pakistan is responsible for war crimes in Balochistan. International community must not blindly trust Pakistan and turn a blind eye on the atrocities against Baloch people.

A shutter-down strike called by political and nationalist groups to condemn the murder of Bloch leaders paralysed life in Balochistan here on Monday. Over 16 people have been killed in Balochistan over the past four days in violence over the killing of three leaders of political leaders.

The violence broke out on Thursday after mutilated bodies of the chief of Baloch Nationalist Movement (BNM), Ghulam Muhammad Baloch, and leader of Baloch Republican Party, Sher Muhamamd Baloch and BNM leader Lala Munir were found.

Security forces used teargas and fired shots against protesters. The troops of Frontier Corps were called out in Balochistan to control the situation. Baloch people have always had reservations against the presence of FC in Balochistan.

Baloch Republican Party has alleged that many of their activists have suffered serious injuries due to baton charge. According to news reports and local sources the FC (frontier constabulary) has always been violent against peaceful protests. It is worth noting that the same FC has baton charged the Baloch Women Panel protest earlier this weak, as result 10 Baloch Women were injured including advocate Shakar Bibi Baloch.

In Quetta, the Sariab road and its surrounding areas remained disturbed the since the brutal murder of Baloch leaders as groups of protesters blocked the thoroughfare by burning tyres at different points. They pelted vehicles with stones. In Hazargani area of Quetta a group of angry demonstrators attacked branches of the Allied Bank and set it on fire, they also set ablaze two offices of agriculture, two tractors of same department, two motorcycles and a post office was set on fire in same area.

There were clashes between security personnel and mobs at the Sariab road, Karani road, Qambrani road and Sabzal road, a vehicle was set on fire on Sabzal road.

The provincial capital remained cut off from Karachi and other parts of the country because protesters had blocked RCD and National highways linking Quetta with Sindh and Punjab at Khuzdar, Sibi and Dera Murad Jamali.

In Shahbaz town, a government office was attacked with grenade, damaging its walls and windowpanes.

In Turbat, demonstrators took out rallies and staged demonstrations in the morning. An angry mob ransacked a Utility Store and set it on fire. They also attacked the office of a government officer and the boarding house of a model school, setting both the buildings on fire.

In Panjgur, protesters set ablaze the offices of the road and building department and ransacked a branch of a private bank. Sources said two policemen were injured in an exchange of fire.

In the port city of Gwadar, political workers and activists staged demonstrations and marched on the roads. Sources said that clashes took place when demonstrators tried to move towards the port area. Police fired shots in the air and used teargas to disperse the protesters.

In Awaran, an unruly mob set ablaze an office of Nadra and attacked other government offices.

In Washik, a mob entered the office of the district nazim and ransacked it. In Surab, the furniture of a government college was set on fire.

In the industrial town of Hub, demonstrators blocked the RCD Highway by burning tyres. They did not allow traffic, affecting the work in the industrial estate because workers could not reach from Karachi.

An office of a private security company was ransacked. Police arrested 10 people in Hub. Later the angry protesters attacked the same police station and freed their friends.

According to reports reaching here, protest rallies were also held in Kharan, Pasni, Mand, Buleda, Nushki, Sibi, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Dera Murad Jamali, Dera Allah Yar, Khuzdar, Kalat, Mastung, Mashkey and Nal.

Shutter down strike across Balochistan, 10 killed

QUETTA: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the killing of six people whose bodies were recovered from Quetta's Margat area on Saturday, DawnNews quoted a BLA spokesman as saying.

Also on Saturday, unknown armed men shot dead a Balochistan Constabulary personnel on Quetta's Jail Road, police told DawnNews.

Latest reports said three more people were killed in firing incidents, one on Quetta's Kirani road and another on the city's Sikri road. While two others were injured during an exchange of fire in the city's Jinnah town.

A shutter down strike was being observed in Quetta, Khuzdar, Kalat, Panjgur, Awaran, Kharan, Noshki, Turbat and other parts of Balochistan against the recent killings of three Baloch nationalist leaders.

Strict security measures were in place across Balochistan to avert any untoward incident as political activists blocked the Quetta-Karachi national highway at Kalat, police sources said.

Separately, police detonated an explosive device planted at a roadside on the Quetta-Karachi RCD highway in Khuzdar district's Wadh tehsil.

In Turbat, a mob set the Pakistam Muslim League - Quaid's office, the district nazim's office, an old museum and a bank on fire. While in Noshki, the new district jail building was set alight, police told DawnNews.

Violence continued in other parts of Balochistan as well. In Dera Bugti's Loti area, three rockets were fired at a security forces checkpoint, officials told DawnNews. However, no casualties were reported from this incident.

Meanwhile, an angry mob set on fire a zakat office and other official buildings in Panjgur.

Separately, the Balochistan Bar Association will boycott courts across the province on April 13 on the call of President Supreme Court Bar Association Ali Ahmed Kurd to condemn the nationalists' killings, Baz Mohammad Kakar of the BBA said.

The BBA has also demanded the unconditional release of all detained political workers and the recovery of Balochistan's missing persons, Kakar said.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/d ... ochistan-seven-killed--qs

Parliamentarians urged to quit govt

QUETTA: Baloch Republican Party (BRP) leader Dr Hakim Lehri said on Saturday that if Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani were sincere to the Baloch people, they should resign.

Addressing a press conference at the press club, he said that political situation in Balochistan had entirely changed after the Turbat killings, adding that Baloch political groups should abandon parliamentary politics and support the resistance movement. He alleged that intelligence agencies were responsible for the killings.

He said that if provincial ministers really wanted to prove their sincerity to the Baloch cause, they should quit their cabinet posts and join the nationalist struggle.

Criticising the Baloch political parties, Dr Lehri expressed regret that despite killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti and Nawabzada Balaach Marri and even after the Turbat incident in which three nationalist leaders were gunned gown, they still believed in parliamentary politics.

In separate statement Hyrbair Marri and Khan of Qalat have also urged the parliamentarian to quit their passions and join the Baloch freedom struggle.

Khan of Qalat however said that it was his advise to the Balochs in government to step down from their passions and join Baloch struggle – he further said that it was time for the parliamentarian to stop sailing in two different boats. They should decide whether they are with Baloch Nation or with Islamabad.

Hyrbair Marri while urging the MNAs said “MNA from Balochistan should mince their ways and joined the Baloch fighting by giving up the politics of Punjabi vote and elections”.

According to press reports some Nazims (local councillors) of NP have already resigned from their passions. NP leader Hasil Khan bezinjo while speaking on Pakistani TV channels said “It has become very difficult for us to work in Balochistan anymore, my workers are calling me every time and asking that; if now we don’t do anything then when will we” he further said that “if I still talk about Pakistan people of Balochistan will stone me”

BNP (Awami) leader Mr Israr Zehri is also apparently under intense pressure from party activists and he has repeatedly been indicating that his partly leader might part their ways from Islamabad.

Only governer Zulfiqar and CM Aslam Raisani at the moment are sticking to their seats. However it seems if the protests continue and situations further deteriorate it may not even be possible for the governor and CM to survive any longer.

US condemns killing of Baloch nationalists

ISLAMABAD: The US Embassy has condemned the killing incident of three Baloch leaders in Balochistan, saying the deceased had played an important role in the release of abducted UN official John Solecki.

According to a statement issued here from US Embassy, the slaying of Baloch nationalists was condemnable, as they had cooperated with the government for the safe return of Solecki.

The statement further said Pakistani authorities should bring the culprits involved in this heinous act to the court of law.

Killings spark riots in city

KARACHI: The killing of Baloch nationalist leaders by unidentified people in Balochistan on Thursday sparked riots in Baloch-dominated parts of the city, completely halting daily activities. The areas where riots broke out were Lyari Town, Malir, Al-Falah, Quaidabad, Sharafi Goth, Gulistan-e-Johar, Manghopir, Dalmia, Drigh Road, Jamshed Quarters, Old Golimar, Garden, Pak Colony, Mauripur, Hub River Road, Baldia Town, and Saeedabad. The riots caused massive traffic jams in various parts of the city and three people, including a woman, were injured in different areas. In Pak Colony, a passerby, Sardar Khan, sustained bullet injuries when unidentified armed men opened fire, while his wife, Zareena, and a police constable Wazir Khan were also wounded as the angry mob pelted stones on police personnel and the pedestrians. Aerial firing by miscreants in various localities created panic amongst the area residents. Over five dozen vehicles were damaged in the riots, while the protestors also burnt tyres and blocked main roads, resulting in traffic jams that lasted for three to four hours. According to reports gathered from the different localities, around 2,000 law enforcers were deputed immediately on the directives of high-ups in the affected areas. However, despite the efforts, police was unable to control the situation and traffic jams lasting three to four hours were witnessed. Moreover, thousands of angry people staged demonstrations in several parts of the city. The protestors chanted slogans in favor of the murdered Baloch leaders and against the government. The protestors said that the incident showed the failure of the government and demanded the arrest of the culprits involved

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\04\10\story_10-4-2009_pg12_2

Baloch Freedom Fighters Claimed The Responsiblity

Meerak Baloch of Baloch Liberation Army(BLA) claimed the responsiblity of Hub bomb blast Via a Sattelite Phone from an unknown location dozen of people injured.He further added our target was Security Personels.He also claimed the responiblity of Killing of police personel in Khuzdar and quetta.

Sarbaz Baloch of Baloch Republican Army(BRA)claimed the attack on Security Forces in Kashmore 6 killed 11 injured and two pickups completely destroyed.

Colonel Douda Baloch of Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) claimed the attack on Security Check post in Shiraz and Mand areas,where 10 killed dozens injured.We will continue attacks untill the independence of Balochistan.

In Gwadar riots started after the killing of Baluch leaders,They beat several Punjapi settlers and they shifted to Pakistan Coast Guards Quarter.While in Pasni Punjapi settlers shifted to Jinnah Naval Base.

UN voices concern over killing of Baloch leaders

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations has expressed “serious concern” over the killing of three Baloch leaders and called on the Pakistani government to investigate these murders.

“The United Nations extends its condolences to the families of the deceased,” the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Michele Montas, said in a statement read out at the regular briefing on Thursday. The spokesperson noted that the victims were members of the “Balochistan Quam Dost Committee” that was recently formed by the government of Pakistan to probe the case of missing persons in the province. “The United Nations calls on the government of Pakistan to immediately investigate these murders and to ensure that the Balochistan Quam Dost Committee continues its important work,” the statement said.

Balochistan: Three Baloch political leaders Martyred in cold blood

Turbat: Local sources and relative of Waja Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Lala Munir Ahmed Baloch and Sher Mohammad Baloch have reported that all the three Baloch political leaders have been martyred by the Pakistani agencies in cold blood. Their bodies were found in Padarak area of Turbat, according to reports the Pakistani police have taken the bodies into their custody. Some residents of the area believe that their bodies were thrown into mountains from helicopters. These claims of the locals cannot be rejected because such incidents have taken place in the past.
Six Bugti Baloch prisoners, who were abducted on 26 December 2008 by the Pakistani agencies, were killed in custody of Pakistani army in February 2009. Later their bodies were dumped in the mountains of Pashin and Noshki. According to the relatives of the victims, the bodies of the victims bare singes of sever torture, their skull were broken and there were big holes on their heads due to either drilling or putting nails into their heads. Similarly in 70s Baloch prisoners were thrown down from helicopters and filmed by Pakistan soldiers.
Baloch leaders were abducted by the Pakistani agencies on 3rd April 2009 after they had attended a court hearing in Turbat. Shaeed Ghulam Mohammad, Shaheed Lala Munir Ahmad and Shaheed Sher Mohammad Baloch were rounded up from advocate Kachkol Ali’s office. The office of the Baloch lawyer was also broken.
Waja Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and waja Sher Mohammad Baloch had been detained many times earlier before and they were receiving constant threats from the Pakistani agencies for telling them to deal to the National media and to Baloch Nation. Both brave Baloch leaders despite the threats had continued their political struggle until they arrested once again on 3rd April 2009.
Ghulam Mohammad Baloch was also a member of Baloch Watan dost committee which was set up for the safe release of UNHCR aid worker Mr John Solecki. Today Mr Solecki is free and UN is celebrating his freedom but Baloch are mourning for Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and his companions. Ghulam Mohammad Baloch put his life at risk and paid the ultimate price for the safe release of John Solecki and missing Baloch person.
On 5 April 2009 Balochistan’s CM Replying to a question said that “he disapproved the disappearance of political workers from Turbat and stressed that these political workers must be produced before the court within 24 hours”. Today cold blooded murder of Baloch leaders showed that Raisani is nothing but a statue, no body listens to him. Only option left for Raisani is that he should step down immediately infect the entire Balochistan assembly should resign in protest and join Baloch forces who are struggling for freedom.

Moreover many other Baloch student and political leaders who have been abducted by Pakistani agencies, are still missing. We fear they might suffer the same fate as Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and his companions. That is why we appeal to the UN and other National and International Human Rights organisations that take this issue as a matter of urgency and make sure the safe release of missing Baloch persons.

Baloch awaite return of their loved ones, as UN celebrates the release of staff

A complete shutter-down was observed in Punjgoor against the arrest of BNF leaders. Protest rallies and demonstration were also held in Karachi and different areas of Balochistan.

Thousand of Baloch and non-Baloch political, social and student activists have taken part in these protests. Protesters demanded the immediate release of Baloch leaders and an end to military operation in Balochistan. Speaking at the gatherings Baloch political, social and student leaders said that Baloch struggle for Freedom is at the peak and Pakistan cannot weaken Baloch struggle by detaining our leaders and activists.

Leaders from different organisation visited the token hunger strike camps set up by Baloch activists to show their sympathy and assured their help. It is worth mentioning that Baloch activists has set up these token hunger strike camps against the army operation in Balochistan, thousands of missing person and against the recent wave of abduction of Baloch political and student leaders.

Recently Shahzeb Baloch, Ghulam Mohammed Baloch, Lala Munir Ahmad Baloch, Sher Mohammad Baloch, Mushtaq Baloch, Attaullah Baloch, Chakar Qambarani Baloch, Jalil reki Baloch, Abdul Qadir Qalandrani Baloch and many other Baloch student and political leaders were abducted by pakistani agencies. They have not been produced to any court yet and their family members are not told about their whereabouts.

Baloch activists fear that these leaders and activists will face sever torture by the hands of Pakistan's notorious agencies. Many thousands Baloch are already missing and those who have been abandoned after sever torture and humiliation are still facing death threats by the agencies. They are told either shush up or your family members will face dire consequences.

Baloch Nation appeals to the UN and other International Human Rights Organisations to take notice of forced disappearances in Balochistan. UN must help Baloch Nation and those whose loved one are missing and being tortured and humiliated by Pakistani agencies. The atrocities and Human right violations by Pakistan must be brought to an end.

UN observing Baloch issue delicatly

London: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres expressed his gratitude and happiness over Jhon Solecki's safe release.

"We appreciated the efforts made by Baloch leaders whose appeals and effort has made it possible for Jhon to re-unite with his family". Mr Antonio Guterres expressed these views over the phone while speaking to exiled Baloch leader Hyrbair Marri. He thanked Mr Marri for his efforts for Jhon's release and assured that UN is carefully looking into Balochistan's issue. and trying to find the root causes, which forced baloch people to take up arms.

Mr Antenio ex-prime minister of Portugal (1996 -2002) has been told that Baloch are victims of state terrorism in Pakistan. Gross human rights violation has become usual practice here. A large number of Baloch people are missing.

UN high commissioner said that dodging Baloch National issue will be oppiste of the fact. UN wishes a long term solution to Baloch issue.

Earlier On Saturday, the Secretary-General also welcomed the safe release of John Solecki, the head of the UN refugee agency office in Quetta, Pakistan, who is now once more in the care of the United Nations. The Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to all those who have tried over the past two months to help secure John Solecki's release, and expressed his particular appreciation for the strong message made by Balochi leaders in support of his release, as well as the efforts made by the Government of Pakistan. He reaffirmed the continuing commitment of the United Nations to help all the people of Pakistan, which has been demonstrated in John Solecki's own work.

BSO (azaad) Women Wing Organised a Demonstration.

Quetta: Baloch Student Organisation (azaad)'s Women wing organised a protest demonstration in Zarghoon Town Quetta,Balochistan, against the abduction of Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Shahzeb Baloch and thousands of other disappeared political activists in Balochistan.

The participants of demonstration held placards, pictures of missing persons and they chanted slogans against the Pakistani agencies. They demanded the immediate release of missing Baloch activists and leaders. Speaking on the occasion the CC members of BSO (azaad) Farida Baloch, Bibi Gul, Nigaar Gul, Shamialh Bibi and Mah Noor Baloch of Baloch Women Panel said that on one hand the so called democratically elected govt says that they believe in reconciliation and want to address the grievances of Balochistan. On the other hand they are continuing the atrocities of the past regimes.

They said that currently some 7000 Baloch are missing but the so called human rights organisations are also silent over such atrocities of Pakistani state. Shahzeb Baloch was arrest during Zardari's visit to Balochistan but Pakistani authorities are gravely mistaken if they think they can weaken the Baloch National struggle for Independence by such heinous crimes.

They said Shahzeb Baloch is not only seriously ill and suffers from kidney pain but also he has to sit in exams on the 15th of April 2009. International Human Rights Organisations must take notice of the abduction of Shahzeb Baloch and other thousands of missing Baloch activists.

Balochistan: Kidnapped UN official released

The kidnapped UN official John Solecki has been released by kidnappers, reported Geo News, and Dawn news two private TV channels.

"A United Nations official who was abducted in Pakistan more than two months ago was released on Saturday. private TV channel DAWN NEWS reported. The kidnappers said they had released John Solecki, chief of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Quetta city, on humanitarian grounds, said the report. John would be sent to a hospital first and flown to the capital Islamabad later, according to the DAWN NEWS"

QUETTA: The drama of abducted UNHCR, official John Solecki has drawn to its end with his release.

The spokesman of BLUF, Shehak Baloch informed Bureau office of Online Quetta that John Solecki has been released on humanitarian grounds, and should serve as a message to UN and global community, that Baloch elements were not terrorists, but an educated, and civilized nation.

John Solecki was released from the Quetta-Karachi Road area of Khad Koocha , located near Mastung

FINAL CALL FOR BALUCH NATION

WE have very little time, and after this no one would be proud of bieng a baloch, no one would be standing to raise voice against slavery, it dependes on you, wake up and boycott the settlers product if you cant raise weapons.

Iam requesting to all of Baluch brothers and sisters to forward this message Via SMS,Email,Scrap to all of your friends and family members. Hope you will all start doing it for the cause of Free Baluchistan.

Balochistan: One BRP leader reaches home, another goes missing

BRP leader Dr Bashir Azeem reached his home after being kept in a dark underground cell for over a month. Another senior and aged leader of BRP Qadir Qalandrani goes missing.

Sibi: Central general secratery of Baloch Repuclican Party (BRP) Dr Bashir Azeem was kidnapped by Pakistani agencies from Quetta on 7th of February and was abondended in Karachi on 31st of March.

Talking on phone from his home in Sibi Dr Bashir Azeem said that he was kept in a secret underground cell and he has not seen sun or any light all this period. He said he was alone in that cell, it was dark, quite and he has not seen any other person there expect those who used to investigate and torture him.

According to Dr Bashir Azeem's statement those who interrogated him he had never seen their faces because they were wearing masks at all times.

Dr Bashir Azeem 76, said that though he has not seen those who interrogated him but he knew who these people were and what they wanted from him. He said he has been very ill while he was in custody but his moral is still very high.

Meanwhile another senior leader of BRP Mr Qadir Qalandrani went missing yesterday. According to sources he was picked up (by Pakistani agencies) from his home on 02-04-2009 and taken to some undisclosed location. His party leaders and family members have not been informed about his whereabouts as yet.

Balochistan: Another three Baloch leaders picked up by Pak-agencies

Sources form Turbat Balochistan reported that Three Baloch leaders have been picked up by Pakistani agencies in front of a court in Turbat, Baloch leaders had come to the court to attend a hearing.

According details Ghulam Mohammad Baloch of BNM, Lala Munir Baloch and Sher Mohammad Baloch of BRP have been arrested and taken to an undisclosed location.

All the three were on bail and had come to the court to attend a hearing. As soon as they left the court they were picked up by Pakistani agencies.

Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and Sher Mohammad Baloch both had been detained several times before. Both said that they have been tortured and kept in horrible places. It is most likely they will face sever torture again.

BalochWarna appeals to the international community and International Human rights organisation to put pressure on Pakistan and make sure the release of these Baloch leaders at the earliest possible. We also appeal to Baloch diaspora to highlight this issue on all possible way.

Sardar Kher Baksh Marri Interviewed By Nargis Baloch

http://www.dailyintekhab.com.pk/page2.html

Baluch leader to return to Pakistan

The last time Akhtar Mengal tried to protest against the military clampdown on Baluchistan, he was arrested on dubious terrorism charges, held in solitary confinement and stood trial while locked in an iron cage.Almost a year after Pakistan’s civilian leadership secured his release from prison, the leader of the Baluchistan National Party is again trying to put on mass rallies in his native province.Mr Mengal, a prominent politician who served in the late 1990s as chief minister of Baluchistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, intends to hold rallies at cities across the province with party loyalists in April to bring attention to their conflict.“My aim, and my party’s aim, is the same as when we tried to organise our protest in 2006, which is to show the world that this injustice against the Baluch people is still taking place, and yet the whole world is silent,” said Mr Mengal, 46, who has spent much of the past year receiving medical treatment abroad for a rare lung disorder.Europe and the United States “bother about injustice in other parts of the world,” he said, “but why are they silent about the Baluch?”While Taliban and al Qa’eda militants in Pakistan grab headlines fighting near the Afghan border, Baluch nationalists and local tribes have for years clashed with Pakistani military and intelligence services. Culturally and linguistically distinct from their Pakistani compatriots, Baluchs have long agitated for more autonomy. Among their grievances are a heavy-handed military presence in the area and a too-small share of the spoils extracted from their resource-rich land.Mr Mengal, leader of the largest political organisation in the province, said he hopes he can mend differences among nationalist and tribal leaders.Some analysts think the timing of his arrival could help bring much-needed political authority to the area, fractured after years of hostilities with the military and intelligence agencies.“The Baluch nationalists have a serious leadership vacuum,” said Shahzada Zulfiqar, an independent analyst in Pakistan who has studied the issue. “Akhtar Mengal is capable of bringing together the disparate groups, and can quickly rally public support for a campaign that focuses on human rights issues, particularly the recovery of missing activists and withdrawal of criminal cases against the falsely imprisoned.”But when he returns this week, Mr Mengal faces a different Baluchistan since his arrest in 2006, when the province was paralysed by a near-war situation with Pakistani forces. After killing off prominent insurgent leaders, the military and intelligence agencies, which effectively control the province, have scaled back their presence. The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has apologised for the government-sponsored military operations during the rule of the former president, Gen Pervez Musharraf. PPP officials in the province say they are working to persuade military and intelligence officials to release thousands of people who are either believed to be in custody or “missing” since the peak of fighting. In some cases, they say, Baluch tribal chieftains have refused to co-operate.Some human rights groups credit reconciliation efforts of the Pakistani president, Asif Ali Zardari, with helping to pacify militants. “There has been a substantial improvement with the current civilian government’s policies, as opposed to the previous military government,” said Ali Dayan Hasan, a senior researcher for South Asia at Human Rights Watch. “The insurgency has virtually ended over the last year; it’s picked up a bit, but not much.”But Mr Mengal says there is simmering resentment because Mr Zardari’s policies have yielded marginal, if any, improvements. “Every ruler who comes to power announces publicly that they’re sorry for whatever happened in the past, like Zardari did,” he said. “But when Musharraf came to power, he said the same thing, and look what happened.“Simply releasing me and other people who were jailed isn’t the solution to 60 years of Baluch problems. My great-grandfather was arrested, then released. My father was arrested, then he was released. The same process goes on and on with other political activists, and this shows it’s not a solution to the problem.”For one thing, he said, intelligence services such as the Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, have continued to kidnap, intimidate and sexually abuse people deemed part of the Baluch insurgency.Some Pakistani authorities have also warned against abuses in Baluchistan. In February, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan issued a statement urging the creation of an independent commission to help find people who had gone missing in Baluchistan. “In this situation the government cannot sit with folded hands. Every effort must be made to assuage the Baluch people’s feeling of outrage,” the commission’s statement said. At the same time, the Baluch political leadership has frayed. A growing number of splinter nationalist groups have formed, including an organisation that has claimed responsibility for kidnapping in February the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to the province, John Solecki. There are also indications that Taliban and al Qa’eda elements, displaced from fighting US and Pakistani forces on the Afghan border, are settling in Baluchistan. US officials are considering expanding attacks with unmanned aerial drones to counter the Taliban arrivals, The New York Times reported this month.Mr Mengal says he is sceptical of how useful dialogue with Islamabad can be. Efforts to talk with civilian authorities have proved futile after being throttled by hardliners in the military and intelligence establishment, who have accused Baluch fighters of being funded by Iran and arch-enemy India. “Baluchistan is 100 per cent run by the military and the intelligence,” he said. “Every time you try to shake hands with them as a brother and friend, they chop them off. I’m sorry to say that we don’t have any hands left to shake with them.”Asked if Baluch nationalists would take funding from such foreign forces as India or Iran, he responded: “If the devil from hell wants to offer us help, we won’t say no, because Pakistan has turned our soil into hell.”

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090330/FOREIGN/621650823/1002