based in Jerusalem, Israel. The news of declaration of Government of Balochistan in Exile on April18, 2006, was read with enthusiasm by our readers, which led us to furnish details about GOB in Exile.
We wish to acknowledge nationalist and democratic behavior of great Baloch nation when JWP led by Nawab Akbar Khan Bughti awarded equal due participation to Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in Balochistan Provincial government by handing over posts of Assembly Speaker and important ministries while federation of Pakistan and other provinces under domain of Pakistan always denied rights of minorities. We are positive that Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in Balochistan are shoulder to shoulder with Balochi brothers like Baloch nationals in movement of rights of greater Balochistan.
The news of extradition of Baloch leaders from UAE was sad for sympathizers of Baloch nation but announcement of The Government of Balochistan in Exile from Israel is in best interests of freedom fighters in Balochistan and Baloch tribes around globe.
Before our internet interview with GOB in Exile leader Mir Azad Khan Baloch, we like to present some historic facts for our readers about importance of Khan of Kalat as GOB in Exile have also honored Mir Suleman Dawood Khan as king of Balochistan. The British wrested control away from the Khan of Kalat in the early 1840 but in 1876 treaty between the Khan of Kalat and Robert Sandeman accepted the independence of the Kalat as an allied state with British military outposts in the region. After the 1878 Afghan War, the British established Baluchistan as a provincial entity centered on the municipality of Quetta - Kalat, Makran, and Lasbella continuing to exist as princely realms. The administrative and legislative reforms of late 19th and early 20th century India overlooked Baluchistan. Around the 1930s, Baluchi nationalist parties emerged to contest for freedom from British rule. They took the princely state of Kalat as the focal point of a free and united Baluchistan. The Khan of Kalat never brought into the Punjabi nationalist paradigm, arguing that the Kalat had special treaty powers. Baglar Begi Khan declared the independence of Kalat on August 15, 1947. He assured the neo-state of Pakistan that Kalat will participate in the defense and infrastructure but will be autonomous. That didn't go over well at all and the Pakistani army entered the region to occupy the area immediately. On Mar 27, 1948, the Khan of Kalat gave in to the State of Pakistan but his brother Abdul Karim Baloch refused to surrender and revolted until his arrest in 1950.
Baloch tribes declared formation of " Greater Balochistan" in 1973, and launched armed struggle for independence from Pakistan. The Mengal and Marri tribes were unite and leading this movement when Pakistan Army started military operation in Balochistan and in 1977, were successful to suppress Greater Balochistan struggle.
In 2004-2005, the Baloch tribes in unity again started liberation movement under Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army with greater impact. The unrest in Balochistan was fueled by following issues:
· The suppression of the nationalist aspirations of the Balochs by the government in Islamabad;
· The lack of economic development in the province despite the fact that its gas fields, which sustain the economy of Punjab, are a major source of revenue;
· The continuing failure of the Pakistan government to give to the provincial administration and the tribes in whose territory gas was found an adequate payment of royalty for the gas supplied to the other provinces of Pakistan;
· The non-association of the provincial authorities with the decision-making on the construction of the Gwadar port on the Mekran coast with Chinese assistance and the award of almost all contracts relating to the project to non-Balochs, mainly Punjabis;
· The import of Punjabis and other non-Balochs, many of them ex-servicemen, into the province to work in the project;
· The plans of the military-dominated administration in Islamabad to construct three new cantonments in the province in order to increase the number of troops permanently stationed there.
Here are PCP questions and answers by The Government of Balochistan in Exile leader Mir Azad Khan Baloch:
Q1. What shall be role of Christians in independent government of Balochistan if they join Baloch movement?
A1. Independent Balochistan is first and foremost going to be a secular country. As in any secular country, people have the freedom to choose their religion and freely practice it. A Baloch who is a Christian will have the same opportunities as if he was a Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Zikri or any faith of his choice. We are Baloch first, and then anything else. So, a Christian Baloch will have equal opportunities in Balochistan.
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Q2. What shall be support of Baloch government if Christian launch movement for separate province in division of Punjab where they are second biggest in population?
A2. A separate province in Punjab on religious basis is something for the Punjabis to decide. It is an internal matter of Punjab, and we in Balochistan do not intend to get involved unless there are human rights violations occurring, which we oppose.
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Q3. If government of Pakistan accepts demand of provincial autonomy and due share in resources of Balochistan, as Baloch parliamentarians are demanding: Will Balochistan government in Exile shall be abolished?
A3. During the last 58 years of occupation of Balochistan, the central government of Pakistan has denied provincial autonomy and due share in resources to the Baloch people. It is wishful thinking to believe that there will be a change in policy. However, the mission of The Government of Balochistan (GOB) in Exile is to liberate Balochistan. As long as its colonizers occupy Balochistan, we shall continue with our mission.
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Q4. Why armed movement was necessary for Balochistan independence?
A4. The Pakistani government simultaneously used strong-armed tactics and dialogue to negotiate the genuine grievances of the Baloch people with our leaders. The Pakistani strategy failed, and it alienated the Baloch people resulting in an armed conflict.
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Q5. Baloch are in majority in Balochistan. Why peaceful movement to liberate Balochistan was not launched?
A5. Since 1948 when Balochistan was invaded by Pakistani armed forces, we have tried both peaceful as well as militant means to negotiate with our colonizers. Prior to the present conflict, Baloch activists launched a peaceful movement to address grievances of Balochistan with the Pakistani government. But, instead of resolving the problems, the
Pakistani authorities resorted to violence. They kidnapped, arrested, tortured and murdered several Baloch activists. So, when a government is intolerant and launches "State Terrorism", then the people have no choice but to fight back.
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Q6. What shall be the future of those Baloch leaders who are cooperating with Pakistan Army to crush Baloch nation?
A6. The Baloch culture teaches tolerance. Those Baloch leaders, who are betraying the Baloch nation today, will be judged according to the laws of the new Government of Balochistan. We advocate democracy and eventually it is the people of Balochistan who will determine the fate of traitors.
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Q7. Is Baloch liberation from Pakistan or Iran or Afghanistan? What`s role of Balochi living in Iran? Is movement under operation in Iran and Afghanistan also or only in Baloch territory under Pakistan jurisdiction?
A7. Balochistan is composed of areas currently occupied by Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. At present, the Baloch people are persecuted in Iran and Pakistan. In Afghanistan, the Baloch are given equal opportunities. To date, the Afghan government has been very supportive of the Baloch people. Therefore, the Baloch liberation movement is concentrated in Iran and Pakistan, and we consider Afghanistan a friend of the Baloch.
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Q8. Are Baloch tribes living in Sindh supporting liberation movement?
A8. Baloch tribes from all over the world are supporting the Baloch cause. Each Baloch national is doing his or her part to help. And, Baloch tribes who are currently living in Sindh are certainly doing their due share of good deed for our nation.
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Q9. Will any Islamic Country plan to accept Balochistan Government in exile?
A9. Why should any Islamic country plan to accept The Government of Balochistan in Exile? We are not an Islamic government; instead we are a secular government. But, in answer to your question, none of the Islamic countries in the world has officially recognized the GOB (Exile).
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Q10. Under new world order: Many liberation movements have been declared terrorist organization or they have been brought in dialogue under pressure of international community; do Balochistan government in exile shall come on dialogue table with government of Pakistan on any stage?
A10. Under the New World Order, there are legal explanations that define what constitute a terrorist organization, and for your information, the Baloch militants qualify as Freedom Fighters. GOB (Exile) is open for any type of dialogue allowed between two sovereign nations with the Government of Pakistan as long as there are mediators from the United Nations present. Pakistan has a history of reneging on its commitments with the Baloch leadership.
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