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Sep-23-2010
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Views expressed here are author"s own and not of this website. Full disclaimer is
at the bottom.
(The author is an intelligence and strategic affairs analyst
and has authored several research papers and articles on intelligence affairs, counter-terrorism, security and geo-political strategy.)
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Divya Kumar Soti talks to Dr. Wahid Baloch, leading Baloch activist and President, Baloch Society of North America on every issue ranging from Baloch Package, alleged human right violations in Balochistan to Islamabad"s allegations of Indian intervention in Balochistan and future of Afghanistan.
Q. What are your views about Package for Balochistan announced a few months back by the Gilani Government?
The purpose of the Package was to rub slat and pepper over the burning wounds of Baloch nation. It was a cruel joke with Baloch people. Baloch people never asked for any package. Their demands are simple and clear. "End the illegal occupation of Balochistan. Stop the genocide of Baloch Nation. Produce thousands Balochs who have been made disappeared by Pakistan"s intelligence service, ISI. Stop exploiting Baloch resources. None of these demands have been met. Baloch people are not fighting for any package. We are asking the international community to fulfill their obligations towards Balochistan. Pakistani and Iranian human right violations in Balochistan have surpassed all limits. Urgent UN intervention, which is long overdue, is needed and is must without any further delay to ensure the safety and security of Baloch people in their own home land.
Q. Don"t you think that Human Right violations for instance, Turbat killings failed to attract international attention which is in contrast to similar incidents in Tibet and elsewhere in the World?
Yes, we feel that Baloch blood is cheaper that Tibetan"s or any other human blood on earth and that"s why we don"t see any action or intervention from the international community. We hope that this will change. Balochistan, under the illegal occupation of Pakistan and Iran, is suffering enormously; more than what Tibetan"s are going through in the hands of China. There are serious well documented human right violations committed by Pakistan and Iran in occupied Balochistan. More than six thousands Baloch youths are missing and many Baloch leaders have been killed and are being tortured as we speak. We have more than two hundred thousand Baloch, including women and children, are homeless because of Pakistani military bombardments and are living under harsh condition without any shelter, food, water or medicine. Our students are being bombed just for just attending their cultural events. I ask the world champions of human rights, what proof do you need to act?
Q. The main governing body of Afghan Taliban i.e. Quetta Shura, operates from Balochistan. Reports suggest that lot of T.T.P. fighters are also active there. How do you see that?
There is no doubt that Taliban Shura has been operating from Quetta, Balochistan with full knowledge and support of Pakistani"s military and its ISI. Taliban"s are a great asset for Pakistan"s military. They were brought into Government by Pakistan"s ISI and they are still being protected by Pakistan. Pakistan would never want a stable democratic Afghanistan next door. Pakistan will go to extreme to not let that happens. The only way to eliminate Taliban from Quetta and ensure a stable democratic Afghanistan is to Liberate Balochistan out of Pakistan and Iran. A free United Democratic Secular Balochistan is the answer.
Q. Will Baloch people support expansion of C-T effort lets say drone strikes to Balochistan?
Drone attacks, if carried out based on Pakistani intelligence not only will be ineffective but will also be counter productive. I would suggest NATO forces to enter Balochistan, and with Baloch freedom fighters on their side, they should do the job on their own to flush out Taliban and Al-Qaida elements that are hiding in Balochistan.
Q. What came out of recent Baloch conference in Bangkok?
Bangkok conference was a great success despite some Pakistani agents and paid protesters tried to sabotage it. This kind of conference should be held by Baloch Diaspora in all over the world to expose the Pakistani ad Iranian crimes against Baloch people in Balochistan. I strongly support "Bangkok declaration" and Khan of Kalat message for unity, which gave us hopes and inspiration.
Q. Pak accuses India of intermeddling in Balochistan. Baloch leaders, on the other hand, say that India is not supporting them. What is the reality?
Pakistan"s allegations that India is meddling in Balochistan or supporting Baloch freedom fighter are totally false and baseless. If India had helped Balochs, Balochistan, like Bangladesh, would have been free by now. Pakistan is blaming India just to divert the attention of world community from its own committed crimes and human right violations against Baloch people in Balochistan, which is going on for the last 63 years.
Pakistan"s occupation of Balochistan is illegal, immoral, unjust and in violation of all international laws. Pakistan must leave Balochistan peacefully. Someone should ask Pakistan, what is she doing in Balochistan besides killing and terrorizing Baloch people and stealing Baloch resources without Baloch consent.
Q. Many analysts foresee a regime with Taliban constituent in Kabul in coming years. What will be the impact on Balochistan?
If Afghanistan falls back to Taliban it will be a disaster and big victory for Al-Qaida, Islamic extremists, Pakistan. It will be a big blow to regional peace and security. Not only Balochistan will be affected badly but the entire world community will also face the consequences and new challenges. This can only be prevented if we seriously think about liberating Balochistan. A free United Secular Democratic Balochistan not only help to stabilizes Afghanistan, but it will also help to weaken, contain and flush out Al-Qaida and Taliban element from Balochistan, reduces China"s influence and control over the Gwadar port, oil and energy routs and Persian gulf, weaken Iran and Pakistan "s nuclear adventures and exporting of Islamic terrorism and extremism. We ask the world community to support the Baloch freedom. Balochistan and Afghanistan must not fall in to the hands of terrorists. It must be prevented at all cost.
Q. How do you see Abdol Malik Rigi episode?
Abdol Malik Rigi"s arrest and execution was an unfortunate event. It was a big blow to Jundollah. Even though we are in disagreement with Jundollah"s Islamic fundamentalist ideology, we are not happy of his execution without fair trial. We ask international community to ensure the safe release of thousands of Baloch political activists imprisoned in Iranian Jails.
Q. What do you think will be Iran"s reaction to so called Good Taliban coming to power in Kabul?
Iran being a Shia state might not be happy with Taliban coming into power, because Taliban want Saudi brand of Islam and there is no room for Shiaism. It is all about Sunni sect of Islam. Let me tell you this, there is no such thing as good Taliban or bad Taliban. This is Pakistani deception to mislead the world. All Taliban are one. It is a part of pan Islamic movement to establish Islamic Caliphate. It won"t end in Kabul. Pakistan"s is the master of this ideology and Taliban"s are Pakistan"s asset. Pakistan will do anything to mislead the world so that she can, not only protect Taliban, but also bring them back into power.
Q. Is there a selective cooperation behind the scenes between Islamabad and Tehran against Baloch nationalists?
Yes, there is active cooperation without any doubt between Iran and Pakistan against Baloch liberation movement. Pakistan and Iran have signed several extradition treaties to kill or capture Baloch resistance movement figures across the border.
Q. What would you expect from India in the event of Taliban supported by Pakistan comes to power in Kabul? How that will affect your Baloch movement?
I don"t think that will happen. There are high stake involved and I hope that India will not sit idle to watch all of this happen. It will be a disaster not only for Baloch secular movement but for the entire region. Taliban"s coming back to power will be a big blow to all democratic forces. It will be a big victory for Al-Qaida, Taliban and their supporters, Pakistan. This should not and must not happen. In order to prevent this, Balochistan must be liberated. A free united secular democratic Balochistan will ensure a stable Afghanistan, peace and security of the region free from Islamic extremism and terrorism and a check on Pakistan and Iran.
Q. What kind of help would you expect from India or international community after Balochistan is liberated?
India being a great democracy in the region will have to be a part of the nation building in Balochistan. I think Baloch people will welcome any help from India and other nations to build their secular democratic institutions. We expect India and US will help us to build our infrastructure, Judiciary, educational and training of our armed forces and the security apparatus.
Divya: It was great talking to you Dr. Wahid. Thank you so much.
Dr. Wahid: Thanks
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