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Mr Ryszard Czarnecki another Polish MEP Pakistan army is responsible for the assassination of Baloch Nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. He said the brutal killing of Nawab Bugti by Pakistani army is gross violation of Human Rights but the death of Nawab Bugti will bring more strength to Baloch Liberation Movement. He said Baloch people regard Nawab Bugti as their National hero and a Martyr of Baloch National struggle. He said international community and EU parliament must take action against such brutal killings of National leaders of any Nation.

Paula Casaca Portuguese MEP said that it was the duty of International community to take notice of violation being perpetrated by the state of Pakistan. He said instead of resolving the Balochistan issue, Pakistan has bombed Baloch people, their home and belongs. He said he has been reading reports that hundreds of civilians have been killed by indiscriminate air strikes on their villages.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Selig Harrison of Centre for International Policy, Washington DC, who is recognised internationally as an authority on Afghanistan and Balochistan, in his deliberation, said that the separation of Balochistan would have serious implications for the existence of Pakistan. He said that for any negotiated solution the first pre-condition is that the ongoing genocide of Baloch people under the hands of Pakistani army should stop immediately. He said that the root cause of the conflict is the Islamabad’s control on all the affairs of Balochistan. He said that for Baloch nationalists Pakistan is synonymous to ‘Punjab’. He provided the details of last major insurgency in Balochistan, in 70’s, in which 80000 Pakistani troops and 35000 Baloch fighters were involved. He said that Pakistan committed heinous crimes against Baloch people in that war. Pakistani forces used cobra gunship to bombard the civilian enclaves killing 15000 civilians, including women and children, to derive Baloch fighters out of their mountain hideouts. He said the tactics of Pakistani army have resulted in deep-rooted hatred among Baloch people against Pakistan army. He said Pakistan is not declaring how many of its forces are involved in the current operation in Balochistan however the USA intelligence services are suggesting that 6 army brigades are carrying out the operation. He said that many credible sources including HRCP have clearly mentioned the indiscriminate bombing of Baloch civilians. He said no local or international journalist is allowed to go in the areas under military operation; therefore, the situation is not clear. However, unlike 1971 Baloch fighters are better equipped. He said that the Pakistan army has tried to divide Baloch people and leadership but without much success. He said that currently there are no signs of support of India, though Pakistan has made repeated claims, however India might get attracted if Baloch and Sindhi nationalist forces join hands. He said the possibilities of a conflict resolution would only arise if general Musharaf goes, military leaves Balochistan, a democratic government is in place and the talks are made with the genuine leadership of Baloch people.

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa security and strategic affairs analyst said that Pakistani army was trying to divide Baloch leaders by pitting one Baloch tribe against another. For this purpose, they brought Masuri and Kalper against Bugti and interestingly all of them are wanted criminals. They have been armed and supplied money by the state of Pakistan.

She said the media Pakistan was not able to cover incidents in Balochistan. In August 2006 within the days of Nawab Bugti, murder media found it very difficult to talk about Balochistan. She said I admit that government has launched billions of rupees development works but then the Balochistan government is facing a budget deficit of Rs17 billion. The government is following a top down economic development, which is not going to work in Balochistan. They did the same thing in past for instance they set up the Hub industrial area where around 90 percent workers employees are from Karachi. No machinery or other thing is in Balochistan. In so-called mega, projects out of 600 only 100 are Baloch.

Mehran Baloch of Balochistan Rights Movement in his speech said that Nawab Bugti is still alive for us the Baloch people because no one including the family member has been shown his body it is a cruel and criminal act on part of Pakistani army. He said the government buried a locked wooden box no one has seen if there was a body inside the box or not. Talking about thousands disappeared Baloch political activists in Balochistan Mehran Baloch said that their only fault is they raise their voice against Pakistani occupying force, now for that they are being severely tortured in the army dungeons in kulli camps. He said the military and ISI is kidnapping Baloch poets, students and writers who have nothing to do with politics. He said the army operation is going on against Baloch people since 1948 but in recent years the level of severity has changed and we also know that the government is planning the worst ever attacks against the people of Balochistan in the coming months. About talks with the government, Mr Mehran said the Baloch did try all options but the government did not responded. “They don’t believe in talks”. He said last time Sana Baloch spoke about the issue of Balochistan then Pakistani agencies kidnapped two of his brothers.

Accusing Pakistan of supporting Taliban, he said we are the only secular people in the region and international presence in the region could see Pakistan is supporting religious groups and fanatics in the region. Now all the reputable international organisations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, International Crises Group, and Human Rights Watch are saying what we have been saying all along. He said solution of Balochistan lies in self-determination, which according to the principles of the United Nations, is our basic right. He said if the international community cannot support us at least they should stop supporting rogue Pakistani army, which is continually violating the all-international Human Rights laws. He also thanked all the speakers and the participants of seminar.

Pakistani federal minister Tariq Azim said repeating the same old typical lies of the Pakistani establishment that Baloch Sardars are the hurdle in the way of development and India was behind Baloch insurgency. He said 27 points of parliamentary committee recommendations have been discussed but they are yet to be implemented.

Soon after his speech, the Pakistani minister was hackled by the questions and comments of the audience. Smita purushottam, Minister (political) at Indian High commission, disputed the claims of Tariq Azim saying that Indian diplomatic presence was in Afghanistan because of security concerns. “We have nothing to do with interfering in the affairs of any other country. We are involved in the development projects in Afghanistan. The Pakistani minister’s claims have no shade of reality”.

When the Pakistani minister was asked Question regarding the military operation in Balochistan, disappearance of political activists and killing of civilians in Balochistan. Some members of audience raise the slogans of shame, shame while he tried to speak. About missing brother of Senator Sana Baloch, and other thousands Baloch missing people he refused to comment and did not answer the questions. Baloch activists in the hall were very furious at minister for not responding to their questions.

The seminar was finally addressed by the chair, Mr. Philip Fisk, who said that it was a very good seminar and live discussion on an issue that have serious regional implications and The Foreign Policy centre would continue to organise debate on this and similar issues.

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa security and strategic affairs analyst

Mr Mehran Baloch of Balochistan Rights Movement

Download Balochis of Pakistan: On the margins of history