- The path of peace and development
Ever since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in his Indian national day address astride the ramparts of New Delhi’s Red Fort that his government supported the Baloch struggle of independence, he delivered the kiss of death to the Baloch insurgency. Soon after his infamous admission, senior RAW operative Commander Kulbhoshan Jadhav was apprehended from Balochistan. He admitted in his confession that India was recruiting, training and arming angry Baloch youth and launching them to acts of terrorism and violence.
Sincere Baloch leaders from inside and from abroad have always expressed their concerns about Indian sponsored insurgency in the province. After the exposé of India’s nefarious designs, sensitive leaders like Dr Jumma Khan Marri, a self-exiled Baloch nationalist leader and intellectual have parted ways from Baloch separatist elements like Brahamdagh Bugti, Herbier Marri and Mehran Marri accusing them of being completely controlled by Indian intelligence agency RAW.
One of the main reasons for Dr Jumma Khan’s changed stance is the exposé of India in support of Baloch unrest. Lately, revelations from Chairman of American Friends of Balochistan (AFB), Mr Ahmar Musti Khan have poured cold water over the aspirations of those fighting Pakistani state in Balochistan. As a matter of fact the startling revelations of Mr Ahmar Masti have exposed the entire game plan of RAW, hatched since 2001 to stage terrorism in Balochistan.
Mr Ahmar Masti Khan claimed that he heckled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif during his 2015 visit to Washington at the behest of Indian intelligence agency RAW. Ahmar Musti Khan posted three online statements on Facebook in April 2018 after a district court in Maryland rejected an appeal to muzzle him.
He said projects like Gwadar port CPEC would change the fate of the province
AFB’s two Indian supporters — Soumya Choudhary and Krishna Gudipati — had filed the appeal, asking the judge to stop Mr Musti Khan from publicly sharing the internal affairs of the group. The court agreed with the Baloch activist’s plea that the US constitution guaranteed his freedom of expression.
Mr Musti Khan, who is also a journalist, claimed in the videos that he was “let down” by RAW operatives working from the Indian embassy in Washington. He identified one of them as Nagesh Bhushan who, Mr Musti Khan said, manned RAW’s Balochistan Desk.
Mr Musti Khan said that India was supporting terrorism in Pakistan and this support started after the Kargil war and that’s why the current insurgency had continued for 12 years.
Mr Musti Khan also claimed that RAW encouraged militants to kill Punjabi, Pakhtun and even Sindhi civilians. “We have no fight with civilians. They are our brothers,” he said. “They gave me a lot of mental torture [for opposing their plans]. They say if you kill, you are a hero otherwise you are zero.”
This is a big change because earlier Mr Ahmar Musti Khan would appear on Indian TV Channels and blackball Pakistan. Being of Baloch origin, Mr Musti Khan was projected as being the “true voice” of oppressed Baloch.
Information gleaned from news trickling in reveals that RAW is lifting its hands off the so called Baloch insurgent leaders considering them useless and ineffective. The leadership of these organisations and intellectual front-men have failed to satisfy their masters about their usefulness. There are reports that RAW is focusing on younger generation and opting for soft revolutions. Fortunately for Pakistan, they have failed to find a Manzoor Pashteen in Baloch youngsters.
Baloch people have thoroughly understood that the so called Baloch insurgent leaders sitting and enjoying abroad are sincere to none other but to their personal selves. Those chanting slogans of freeing Balochistan are paid for each slogan and for each poster.
Ever since Dr Jumma Khan Marri distanced himself from Baloch separatists in February 2018, he has become vocal in trying to convince the dissidents to lay down the arms and work for peace and development of Balochistan. Last month, he declared: “Our enemies are trying to lure Pashtuns as they did with Baloch nation, but their vicious plans can be frustrated through national unity.” Addressing a telephonic speech he said that Brahamdagh Bugti and Harbiyar Marri had become the slaves of Indian Prime Minister Modi, using Baloch nation’s name for their terror mindset. “Indian army uniform is behind the terrorism in Pakistan,” the tribal elder added that the future of the province remained linked with Pakistan.
Sharing his experience spanning 30 years as a leader of so called independent movement, the veteran said he travelled to Afghanistan, to Moscow following a flawed ideology, but all in vain. “I want all to get united against the vicious Indian philosophy of independence; I am sure that soon we will wipe out Indian involvement from Balochistan.” he remarked.
A few years ago, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Khan of Kalat had planned to take the Balochistan issue to International Court of Justice (ICJ) and expected India to pay $2.4 million lawyers’ fee to contest the case in ICJ; but India backtracked.
Those playing in the hands of RAW need to understand the enemies’ designs, and like Dr Jumma Khan should work for peace and development of Balochistan. Government of Pakistan has welcomed them with open hands and is affording them every opportunity to contribute to the development of Balochistan. In April 2018, supporters of Dr Jumma Khan Marri had gathered in big numbers in Kohlu to welcome his decision to disassociate from the so-called Baloch separatist movement and join the mainstream politics in Pakistan. Participants of the gathering reached the venue in the form of a procession taken out form Bank Chowk Kohlu; they were carrying banners with slogans to welcome Dr Jumma. Several tribal elders also attended the highly charged-up gathering. Speaking from Moscow, Dr Jumma thanked the people of Pakistan, especially his supporters in Kohlu, for arranging such a big gathering to welcome his decision.
He said projects like Gwadar port CPEC would change the fate of the province. Dr Jumma asked Baloch people to lay down their arms and start contributing to the ongoing projects for the betterment of the province. He said he had launched the Overseas Pakistani Baloch Unity (OPBU) which would expose and confront the so-called disgruntled Baloch leaders at all fronts abroad. Saying that he would soon come back to Pakistan, he asked the people of Balochistan to support him in his mission for peace, unity and brotherhood. During his address from Moscow, Dr Jumma was accompanied by OPBU office-holders including Noor Habib Shah and Chaudhry Zahid Khurshid as well as President Pakistani Community Russia (Mil Ker Pakistan) Malik Shahbaz. Baloch are as patriotic as their compatriots of other provinces; however in the past a handful of dissident Sardars challenged the writ of the state. It is indeed encouraging that people of Balochistan have understood their game plan, and are joining the mainstream politics.
Those playing in the hands of RAW need to throw down the weapons and pick up the unity like Dr Jumma Khan. Their Balochistan is waiting for them to come and join the path of peace and development.
