“We are unlikely to compromise on anything less than the freedom of the Baloch nation. We are optimistic of achieving our goals, though gradually”(NawabMarri)(1)
IIt is fact that fact, the uncompromising revolutionary Balochleader,NawabKhairBaksh Khan Marri, was the first Baloch Chieftain who was late comer in politics.But the inhumane and abusive dealing of theBaloches by Federal governmentaroused his irresistible conscious, eventually he decided to stand up against brutal forces of the state of Pakistan. Thus he jumped into the stream of politics along with arm struggle.
NawabMarri,throughout the regime ofAyub khanstood like an unmovable Rock against his mighty military rule.During the Ayub regime, he was harassed, tried to bribe and also offered the higestposisions in government but all in vain. When all measures of government were failed, then he was imorisoned along with his several other Baloch tribal leaders and workers.
It is undisputable fact that, in 1968NawabMarri was persuded by most of the Baloch politicians, friends and government agent’s fordeal with AyubKhan but he bluntly refused against his principles and for the greater cause of Baloches. Indeed,he played an active role in campaign against dissolution of One-Unit.
He did not compromise to Field Marshal Ayub Khan.
In 1970,after the dissolution of One-Unit, NawabMarri took keen intrest in the elections of 1970. He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan aswellas to the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan. President Z.A Bhutto offered him the governorship of Balochistan, but herefused to him.
Mir GhuasBakshBezenjoconfirmed that;
“KhairBakhshMarrirefused to become governor of Balochistan. Throughout his political career KhairBakshMarri never accepted any office of power. He was one among four people who did’t sign the constitution of 1973”(2)
It is crystal clear fact that in1972NawabMarri asked Z.A Bhutto for basic rights ofpeopleof Balochistanwith the identity of Baloch nation on equal bases. UnfortunatelyZ.A Bhutto rejected.As a result he denied signing on constitution of 1973 with the remark that this lacksthe provincial autonomy.
Consequently on 14th of February 1973 Mr Bhutto terminated Mir GhausBakhshBizenjo as governor of Balochistan. Next day,government of SardarAttaullahMengal was also dissolved.After the dissolution of the provincial governmentthe prominentBaloch nationalists including NawabMarriand many workers were arrested, finally followed by the Military operation throughout Balochistan especially in Marri Area.
Selg: S. Harrison reported;
“At the heights of the fighting in late 1974 the U.S. supplied Combat Helicopters, some manned by Iranian pilots, joined the Pakistan Air force in raids on Balochcamps.Army accounts claim that 125 guerrillas were killed 900 captured and independent estimates suggest that at least 50,000 sheeps and 550 camels were captured at ‘Chamalung’ and auctioned off by the army at bargain prices to non-Baloch in Punjab”. (3)
Duringthe detentionNawabMarrirealised that the Baloches would never achieve theirgoal on the floors of assemblies and it was justwastage of time. In his opinion, only the solution was through the barrel of guns.
In one of his interviews NawabMarri said;-
“Here, we are ruled by a class which dose not recongnize logic, history ground realities, democracy. The only language it knows is that of violence and brute force”.
According to the many sources, it was the time when NawabMarri took keen interest in “Balochistan People’s Liberation Front” (BPLF) which started guerilla warfare against government. It is true that during his detention, he continued his support to guerrilla fighters on political, moral and financial bases. Hence the truth is that he separated his way from his fellow travellers and with firm dittermination he continued the war of resistance through the dialoues of guns.
He did not compromise to Z.A Bhutto.
It is true thatGeneral Zia-ul-Haq was unwilling to release NawabMarrifor the reason that he was supposed to be the leaderof insurgents. His other Balochbuddies also refused to be released without him. The Military dictator had no option but to release him without any deal.
After hisrealease from Hyderabad jail NawabMarri settled in Afghanistan, during his stay in Afghanistan, he was personally training about the guerrilla’s war to thoseradicals, who took refuge in Kandhar and Hilmand camps.
He did not compromise to General Zia-ul-Haq.
In 1992 NawabMarri alongwith most of his followers returned to Pakistan.Shortly In 1993 he formed a political partycalled‘HaqTawar’ (Voice of Truth). During this time heconstantly inspired Baloch youths. It is true that he wascontinuesly advocatingBaloch freedom movement,
In reality,NawabMarri waslogically provoked in1999 by the army coup of GeneralMusharaaf. He was in view that the dictatorialgovernments of the Generals always used forceinstead of political dialogues against Baloches.The same way he believed that the new military government would act on the same pattern against the Baloches.Nodoubt, the events proved his prediction.
NawabMarri was arrested in 2000 on charges of murder of Justice KhudaBakshMarri. Clearly his arrest was totally political and just harassing him. When he was sent behind the bars then the rebellions of ‘Baloch Liberation Army’ (BLA) became active and, in short period of time the entire Balochistan woke-up with roars of gunshots.
However,NawabMarriwas released when nothing could prove against him. After his release, he left Quetta and settled in Karachi where he continued his endless struggle by stimulating the Baloch youth for the freedom of Balochistan
It is a burning fact thatthe tension between NawabMarri and GeneralMusharaaf further took a new turn when General announced in 2002 about construction ofGwadar Deep-Sea Port. The Baloch Nationalists including himmaintained that under to the quota system theGwadar projectwould bring the outsiders from other provinces particularly from Punjab, definitely, the local population would turn into minority. Meanwhile, land grabbing by the militarypersonnel further intensified the situation.
Again in 2004 a new wave of ofinsurgincy waved throughout Balochistanmostly, in Marri and Bugtti Tribal Areas, when GeneralMushaarafdeclared to build three new military bases in Sui,Kohlu and the coastal town of Gwadar.The military opperations which were started in 2002, increasedits frequency inlate 2004 to 2006.
He did not compromise with General Musharraf.
It is fact that NawabMarri was the revolutionary Baloch political philosopher.
It is fact that NawabMarri was godfatherof the Baloch nationalist movement.
It is fact thatNawabMarrialways opposed the outsider’s settlers in Balochistan
It is fact that NawabMarri never ever compromised against his priniciples.
It is fact that NawabMarri wasthe strongest symbol of resistance.
It is fact that NawabMarri was totally different from the rest of the Baloch leaders.
It is fact that NawabMarri was the source of inspiration.
Let us conclude with the following version of a Marri poet;
“…….but we are here to stay on the same rocks to face the same aggression that we have been victim of thousand times before. Our bravery and courage have not given way but you people have lost your Baloch honour just for a few rupees that you get in serving these infidels.”
Foot Note
(1) Interview by Malik Akbar Siraj on June 14, 2006
(2) In search of solutions
(3) In Shadow of Afghanistan. Pg.36-37
Abstracts are taken from the book “The Nawab”to be published soon.
© Johar Ali Bugtti, London.
