Nationalist leaders urge people to resist usurpation of Baloch resources The leaders of Baloch nationalist parties have urged to people to get prepared for a joint struggle including resistance against Islamabad’s ambitious plan of usurping Baloch natural resources by trampling down their national identity. The nationalist leaders vowed this while addressing a mammoth public meeting in here on Friday arranged by Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP). Some of them went to say that the time has come for resistance movement against Punjab-backed establishment in the wake of construction of cantonments in different areas of Balochistan to quell their voice. The prominent speakers were Nawab Akbar Khan Bugt, the head of JWP, who also presided the meeting, Dr. Abdul Hai Baloch, the Chief Organizer of National Party, Nawabzada Balach Khan Marri, MPA and the son of prominent Baloch nationalist Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, Habib Jalib Baloch, the Secretary General of BNP (Mengal), Mir Hamayun Marri, the ex-Deputy Chairman Senate, Senator Amanullah Kunrani, JWP’s provincial president, Nawabzada Brahmdagh Bugti, the grand son of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Shamim Afridi of JWP and Dr. Shafi Danish Baloch, Chairman Baloch Students Organization.  While speaking to the meeting, Baloch elder Nawab Akbar Bugti called upon Baloch nationality to get ready for offering resistance to the activity of Gwadar development and construction of cantonments by bringing unity in their ranks. He also underlined the need for greater Baloch alliance among their parties and groups and said that it was necessary for achieving the common goal as the present military government bent to destroy their national fibre. He said that the protest public meetings and processions had no importance before the rulers and so much so even the resolutions of provincial assembly, which comprised the elected representatives, were thrown in dustbins. He said that Balochistan assembly passed a unanimous resolution against the construction of cantonments in Balochistan, but no importance was being given to the opinion of elected body and the construction work of cantonments had started. He mentioned the struggle of Palestine people against Israelis and said that the former had become a headache for the latter. He said that Baloch were the master of their land and the resources, both hidden under the ground and lying on the surface and vowed that they would protect it even by shedding their blood. He regretted that no progress was made regarding what Baloch nationalists vowed in their speeches in the public meeting last year at Sui and said that in his views it amounted to dupe the nation. He said that a lot of progress had been made on Gwader project and even the offing, but the nationalist parties did nothing to check these activities, which were in fact the destruction of whole Baloch nationality. He while explaining the word destruction of Baloch people said the these all so-called development on Balochistan coast was not meant for the poor Gwaderi or Makrani people, but all for the benefits of outsiders who yet to be settled there. Nawab Akbar Bugti reiterated that his party was ready to follow any idea or strategy, the intellectuals and other people of Makran would evolve for the struggle against Gwadar development. He said that Makran was politically aware part of Balochistan and their people were free of ‘out-dated’ tribal system and they might suggest the way and means in this regard. He said that he or his party did not want to impose any decision upon the local people of Makran who were threatened of Mega projects. The JWP leader said that the center earned billions of rupees from the revenues of Gas produced from Balochistan and owed Rs.600 billion to Balochistan in terms of Gas revenues and always tried to hide the figures about the profits, which was a cheating. He supported the demand of Sindh and Frontier people of giving up the construction of Kalabagh dam and greater Thal canal and said that although hone of these projects affected Balochistan, being the oppressed nationalities, Baloch support would go to them. As these projects were detrimental to them.  Nawabzada Balach Khan Marri, an independent MPA praised those involved in rocket fire and bomb blasts in the provincial capital and else where in Balochistan and said that protest meetings, processions and parliaments were not solution of Baloch problems. He said that Baloch should keep in their minds that their enemy would not allow them to get their objectives. He stressed for the resistance movement in Balochistan and said that Baloch representatives had been elected to parliaments, but in vein. He said that there should be greater unity among the Baloch people and parties for getting their national rights instead of for a piece of roads and a water tap that always distracted them form their objectives. He termed the mega-projects in Gwadar is Islamabad’s investment for their own gain and said that it made Balochistan as colony.  He further said that the Punjabi termed dictatorship as democracy, investment as development, domination as law and order, slavery as protection and exploitation as prosperity in Balochistan. He criticized those who termed Gwadar as development and said that why we fought against British forces who also provided us the same kind of development including road, power lines, trains etc. He stressed that we should not mistaken to believe that the so-called parliaments were a way out from our national desolation.  He said that the plan of construction of cantonments in Balochistan was aimed to further clamp down Baloch people in slavery yoke. He urged Baloch nationalists for an alliance for achieving the objectives, getting the people their due rights instead of making the alliance a ladder to reach to parliament.  Dr. Abdul Hai Baloch, the head of NP formed after merger of BNM and BNDP said that masses were the real power and not dictator could stand before it, if they got united. He asked for unity and said that Baloch people would have to get united for protecting their resources from loot and plunder. He said that establishment had been ruling Pakistan with the support of only 10% had-picked people of the country while 90% of the population was oppressed. He said that the people from every walk of life should join the struggle against the rulers who had been looting and plundering Baloch resources.  He said that Baloch would not compromise on the issue of control over their national resources with Punjab neither they would be bullied through gun barrel. He said that the oppressors were coward and could not tolerate the tide of sea of masses. He said that when an supper power like USA could not suppress the people of Afghanistan and Iraq, how it could be possible that a Punjab-dominated establishment might succeed in their nefarious designs. He said that Pakistan’s importance was due to geo-strategic position of Balochistan and that was why Islamabad started investment on the coastal line of the province to usurp it. He said that people of Balochistan did not want the construction of cantonment, but basic infrastructure, education, employment and that kind of development which would be mean for their benefits instead of turning them into minority.  In his first public appearance Nawabzada Brahimdagh Bugti, the grand son of Nawab Akbar Bugti said that every Baloch child would rise up for protecting his motherland, his fore fathers achieved after great sacrifices. He said that Baloch people should not be fearful of Islamabad’s rulers as if their forefathers could defeat British forces, why they could not do to these weak rulers. He said that how Baloch people could feel proud to be Pakistani as they were gunned down when demanded for clean drinking water. He said that now Baloch would respond bullet for bullet for achieving their rights as Punjab rulers were hatching conspiracy for usurpation of Baloch resources. He said that Baloch opted all ways of protest for their rights like processions, public meetings and parliament, but their struggle yielded no result. The general Secretary of BNP Habib Jalib Baloch although the struggle through parliament could not be any achievement for Baloch people, it provide its representatives a stage to protest and demand for their rights.  He also urged Baloch political forces for unity and said that if their forefathers could achieve land from Bandar Abbass(Iran) to Ghazi Gath (DG khan), why their generations could protect Balochistan. He attributed the weakness in Baloch voice to disunity among their ranks and urged upon all the political forces of the present critical stage as a conspiracy was be made to crave out another province comprising Makran and coastline of Balochistan.  He said that 19000 MCFT Gas from Baloch land was pumped daily to other parts of Pakistan for the benefits of others and added only 2% Gas was consumed in Balochistan while 49% only in Punjab. He said that Baloch Gas was purchase at the rate of Rs.26 per MFCT while Rs.126 per MFCT was paid to Sindh. BSO`s Chairman Dr. Shafi Danish said that Baloch had been oppressed on their own land right from March, 1948 when being deprived of their independence. He said that there was a clear vision in minds of Baloch that they were slaves and no more wanted to live under Islamabad slavery yoke. He said that Islamabad was treating Baloch people as subjects like colonial power did in a colony. Mir hamayun Marri said that the construction of cantonments in Marri, Dera Bugti and Gwader was conspiracy to pit the people of Balochistan against each other and grab Baloch land. He said that our fore fathers protected this land after great sacrifices against marauders for their generations. He said that Baloch people had to think about that and the sacrifices of lives would decide the coarse of action. Senator Amanullah Kunrani said that every Baloch dubbed as traitor when he asked the rights and spoke against the mega projects and construction of cantonments. He said that Pakistan Army embarked on expeditious plan in Bengal, but the east wing of the country was lost. He said that after great loss, the army did not learn the lesson and now wanted to repeat the same in Balochistan to further loot and plunder Baloch resources. Shamim Afradi of JWP said that being a Pukhtoon he vowed that he would be in fore front when a time for rendering sacrifices besides his Baloch brothers would came. He said that we should forge unity and would not allow Panjab’s rulers to usurps Balochistan resources. 03.04.04