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We have launched a struggle for Baloch freedom from the yoke of
Punjab's slavery
Nawabzada Balach Marri
Interview by: Shazada Zulfiqar
Newsline
I know of the existence of the Baloch Liberation Army, which believes in fighting for the rights of the Baloch nation through an armed struggle. I believe it does have public support, even though the government has been claiming that it does not
exist
Q: Why are you opposing development activities, including mega projects like the Gwadar deep sea port, in Balochistan?
A: we are not against development provided it is meant for the local people and carried out with their consent. We do not consider Punjabi dominated Islamabad’s plans, focused on their own interests at our cost, as development. Development should improve the living standards of the locals and their resources should improve the living standards of the locals and their resources should be exploited for their own use. Take Sui, which was explored in 1952 against the wishes of the Baloch nation. Punjab is taking all its revenues and benefits while the locals are deprived. It took 30 years for gas to reach Dera Bugti town, and villages in the area surrounding Sui are still without gas. My own constituency, Kohlu agency, has no basic facilities, but the government insists on constructing the Sibi-Rakhani road. If a local inhabitant only has a donkey cart, what use is a road to them? Actually the government wants to build the road to link Punjab via the shortest route (Kohlu) and open up the oil and gas-rich area to benefit the Punjab. These actions threaten the national identity of the Baloch nation and amount to destruction, not development.
Q: Have you launched a freedom struggle or a resistance movement?
A: Not a freedom movement, but yes we have launched a struggle for our rights and freedom from the yoke of
Punjab's slavery. I do not understand why the government regards our struggle for our rights as a movement for separation from Pakistan. We want to live with freedom, justice and equal rights. Today the Baloch nation is a slave to the Punjabi colonial system. If Punjabi-dominated Pakistan considers that our struggle for freedom form slavery means disintegration, we don’t care. The provinces, particularly Balochistan are not consulted on any major national decisions concerning external or internal issues. Punjab takes all the decisions keeping only its own needs in view, and without bothering about other provinces.
Q: You have spoken of every province’s rights of self-determination. Exactly what do you mean?
A: All provinces should have equal economic and political rights and maintain their own armies. The federal army must have equal representation from all four provinces. In case of war, the provincial armies will fight alongside the federal army.
Q: You and your tribesmen are accused of being involved in terrorist activities against Para-military forces. Is this true?
A: we are defending our rights, but we are branded terrorists. It’s the norm to call someone fighting for his rights a terrorist or a traitor to silence him. Punjab is the dominant force in every sphere of state activity and we have been struggling for our rights for the last 57 years. The Baloch went to the assemblies to seek a solution for their problems, but failed to convince a stubborn Punjab. Ours is a struggle and a reaction to what is happening in Quetta, Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan.
Q: Are you willing to participate in the negotiations initiated by the president and his team?
A: I think the time has passed for talks with a Punjab-dominated Islamabad. We can no longer rely on those who violated the oath they took on the Holy Quran. No Government has ever honoured its word.
The Government talks about negotiations, the question is for what and at which level? How will Islamabad treat us? As tribesmen or as Baloch leader? Talks are held between equal parties, are they going to treat us as equals or as tribals? And what guarantee is there that General Musharraf has enough powers to grant us the right of self-determination? I think not, because he cannot go against the interests of the Punjab.
In my view Islamabad wants to defuse a situation where nationalist forces are uniting and gaining strength with the support of the masses, who are against the usurpers. A referendum can be conducted in Balochistan to seek the opinion of the Baloch nation on whether they want to continue to live in the slavery of the Punjab or want freedom from oppression.
Q: Do you think your struggle will succeed?
A: Inshallah, our struggle will succeed. Nations never continue to lead a life of slavery once they realise that struggle is the only way out. Awareness is increasing in the Baloch nation to protect their identity, culture, history and natural resources and they will emerge triumphant.
Q: Do you have the support of the Baloch Population?
A: Obviously we have the support of the political and tribal circles of Balochistan as we are not struggling for the Marri tribe alone, but for the entire Baloch nation.
Q: Do you impart military training to your tribe and other Baloch youth?
A: No, we do not run military training camps because the Baloch traditionally know how to fight. But obviously any young Baloch wanting to join a resistances struggle is taught how to handle a weapon.
Q: Do you have any connection with the Baloch Liberation Army?
A: I know of the existence of the Baloch Liberation Army, which believes in fighting for the rights of the Baloch nation through an armed struggle. I believe it does have public support, even though the government has been claiming that it does not exist. We do have a soft corner for the Baloch Liberation
Army. Newsline
September 2004 |