Barhamdagh Bugti, separatist leader and founder of Baloch Republican Party (BRP), on Wednesday said he supported US Congress bill, espousing self-determination for Balochistan, and he would accept the support of any country that helped the people of Balochistan gain independence.
Talking to reporters over telephone after being granted political asylum in Switzerland, Bugti urged all Baloch parliamentarians, including the province’s governor and chief minister to stop supporting “the state’s puppet system” and get affiliated with Baloch national movement.
He welcomed the move in the US Congress recommending the right to self-determination for Baloch people, saying military operation continued in Balochistan since 2005 and political activists were being killed after being subjected to torture and their dead bodies were being thrown in streets.
Bugti said political parties and the media had kept silent over the injustices against the Baloch population.
But, following the US resolution, the media, which allocated more time to sports, had started debating Balochistan’s issues.
He said the media and human rights organisations were not allowed to witness human rights abuses in a number of areas, including Kohlu and Dera Bugti.
The Baloch leader said the proposed all-parties conference on Balochistan would be of no use, as the elements responsible for atrocities on Baloch people were now convening APCs.
The BRP chief said the recent pro-Baloch attitude of political leaders and media was in fact not new for Baloch people, as it was aimed at protecting the endangered integrity and entity of Punjab, instead of out of sympathy for the Baloch population.
He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief had now started speaking about Baloch rights when the integrity of Pakistan was at stake. He claimed that by raising the Baloch issue, Nawaz Sharif wanted to serve his political interests.
He said the situation in Balochistan was not hidden from anyone and nobody paid heed towards the province’s aggravating situation for the last two years. “Military operation is being carried out in Balochistan for six years,” Bugti claimed, adding that several areas of the province had become no-go-areas.
Bugti, who is in self-imposed exile in Switzerland, said attacks were being carried out and bodies were being dumped throughout the province.
“The Balochistan issue cannot be resolved through packages,” he added.
Bugti said the Baloch people did not have an objection if Pashtuns wanted to live with them.
Bugti said the Baloch nation would soon hear good news regarding Balochistan.
To a question about elderly Baloch leader Sardar Attaullah Mengal saying Baloch youth should consider whether they could protect independence after achieving it, the BRP head said he held due regard for him, added that he did not know that in what context and circumstances Mengal stated this.
He said if the Baloch people could achieve independence, they could surely protect it as well.
Bugti said he did not reject the possibility of the US having interests in interference in Pakistan, but the Baloch nation should benefit if foreign powers entered the province. He said the Baloch would welcome any interference from any foreign power and there was no harm if any foreign force came to Balochistan for serving its own interest by benefiting Baloch.
Barahamdagh supports independent Balochistan
