As I See It
Post-Akbar Bugti
Ikram Sehgal writes from Karachi
IT was always on the cards that the government of Pakistan (GOP) would mishandle the situation arising out of the death of Akbar Bugti. When the head of state is dependant upon advice of moderate quality on matters of critical importance, he will not have the counsel he should have access to in a national crisis. Sycophancy is an art perfected over the centuries around rulers who, as their stay in office increases, become averse to hearing anything other than "successes." Messengers (including friends) bringing bad news being usually banished from sight. The GOP has blundered into a crisis of national magnitude, turning it into a situation of potential disaster for the country, quite possibly equaling 1971. If someone thinks that heads will roll in the wake of this extended ineptitude, he (or she) is mistaken. We are immersed in a "feel good" governance mode that will have the inner circle making greater blunders at the cost of the existence of whatever remains of this nation. Given to stubbornness, and indeed reveling in it, Bugti was an out-and-out tyrant. His well-documented terrorism had become a threat to economic Pakistan, in death he has become a threat to political Pakistan. The leader of his tribe, a former governor and a former CM, he cast a giant (if disruptive) shadow on the national stage. Notwithstanding open armed rebellion, the manner of his death was courageous. The brave must be given their due according to the adage: "Honour while you strike him down, the foe that comes with fearless eyes!" The GOP had handled another anti-hero maturely. The "AQ Khan method" could have possibly have been applied to Bugti, the pragmatism inherent adapted to suit the circumstances and the person. There is life in Balochistan after the death of Akbar Bugti, aggrieved and defiant it exists. That is the life the rulers of Pakistan, present and future, have not only to contend with but also to deal with. The feelings of the Baloch in the streets have been expressed, convincingly on display they are now being exploited by the motivated in the drawing rooms.Riding off into the sunset of his own choice, as controversial in death as he was in life, proud and arrogant Akbar Bugti would have been contemptuous of those protesting. There is a profound mystery here. To avoid discovery of their hideout, guerillas will never fire on helicopters (or other aircraft) passing overhead. Why were the helicopters on routine flight, as well the one that came later to locate the source of heavy firing, fired at, giving away Bugti's location? The tragedy is that Akbar Bugti was invited to the "safe area" by the Marris, and promised due protection. The absence of more Bugtis around their Nawab meant that a Marri force must have been in the vicinity. How come not a single Marri died in the action in an area deep within Marri territory? The only logic is that Akbar Bugti seems to have been callously betrayed by the Marris. The Marris not only got their revenge for 1973, when he targeted them as governor, but cynically set him up as a "Baloch martyr" for their own purpose. One feels genuinely sorry that this brave man went astray the way he did, and was betrayed in this manner. How come Khair Baksh Marri or Ataullah Mengal, and/or their sons, have never fought in the mountains, but have others do their fighting? The men in khaki sacrificed a great deal in accomplishing the mission assigned to them, putting down an armed revolt that threatened the economic lifeline of the nation. Pro-rata militarily, the armed insurrection in North and South Waziristan is many times more potent than militancy in Bugti and Marri areas. The critical importance of the Sui plant made the Bugti rebellion take on a seriousness far beyond its actual dimension. Pakistan's economic survival depends upon a constant supply of gas to its power stations, industries, and to roughly about 15-20 million homes in both urban and rural areas. If the gas supply is interrupted, the economic (and socio-political) consequences are unimaginable. If the MMA go ahead with their threat to walk out of the coalition in Balochistan, it may be a God-sent opportunity for the federal government to set things right in the province on a permanent basis by imposing Governor's Rule for at least one year, with all political factions, from all districts without exception, taken into confidence and given full representation in the interim administration. Development efforts on a war footing must include education, health, roads, etc., as well as the whole spectrum of socio-economic projects already in the works. Notwithstanding protests about the demise of Akbar Bugti, the wider resentment is against the perceived socio-economic deprivation of the Baloch. With sincerity of intent and purpose, it is possible to salve the wounds by buying the way back into Baloch hearts and minds, only if the security situation is guaranteed. Prime responsibility must lie with the police, backed by the Frontier Corps (FC). A large number of Bugtis and Marris tribals who have surrendered can be inducted (after due screening) into FC Balochistan, making a Bugti FC Wing and a Marri FC Wing. With tribals getting well-paid jobs close to their homes who can better keep the peace than those who know the area like the back of their hands? A package is being successfully implemented in Kohlu; enlarge the scope and increase the pace! They must be given free homes in new townships with free electricity, gas, and running water. With free education and medical facilities for a ten (or even 20) year period, the tribals will have a vested economic interest in securing their health and homes. Their reliance on the fickle largesse of despots will be eliminated. The lines must be very clearly drawn as far as Khair Baksh Marri and Ataullah Mengal are concerned. Appeasement would be a counter-productive policy, their private militias must be disarmed forthwith. The GOP should not make the mistake of holding back against these two tribal chiefs (and their immediate families) if they show any sign of rebellion against the country. There will be no progress in Balochistan as long as these two sardars, and their families, remain in place to send others to their death, Bugti included! One can have no doubt that the Marris callously betrayed Nawab Akbar Bugti after setting him up. Ikram Sehgal is a lending Pakistani columist.
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