Balochistan: The Heights of Oppression

By Azad Singh Rathore

Greater Balochistan region was remotely located far away from Kingdom of the Persia in the west and equally at a distance from Indian princely states in the east. In present time Balochistan, a part of Greater Balochistan is now disputed remote territory, illegally annexed by Pakistan, lies between Sindh province of Pakistan and the western international border of Iran. The whole region was populated most heavily by ethnic Baloch people and thus named this region Balochistan. Geopolitical developments in the area, divided Greater Balochistan into three separate countries. This book is mainly focusing on present Balochistan, the region under the occupation of Pakistan. Book describes the history, culture, and Baloch people’s suffering from the last seven decades pain, atrocity and oppressions that Pakistan has given them to suppress their voice. A voice which wants to save the Baloch culture, people and homeland from Pakistan’s army and its leadership.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Feb 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781543706642

Azad Singh Rathore

Azad Singh Rathore, is a writer and a politician, actively working for Indian National Congress. A voracious reader with a keen interest in Indian foreign policy and defence strategy. This is his second book, In the year 2017 his first book Kargil - The Heights of Bravery was published, which is about the Indo-Pak war fought at high altitudes of Kargil in 1999. He is a regular article writer and analyst for various daily newspapers on defence strategy and foreign policy-related issues. He also represented the Rajasthan Cricket Association. The author lives in Barmer, lies in the western part of Rajasthan in India.

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Copyright © 2021 by Azad Singh Rathore.

ISBN:      Hardcover     978-1-5437-0666-6

                 Softcover       978-1-5437-0665-9

                eBook             978-1-5437-0664-2

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www.partridgepublishing.com/india

To

The

Baloch People

Who deserve a prosperous, peaceful, happy and free life.

A Note About Spelling of

Names and Transliteration

T he spoken names and their spellings have changed over years. I have accepted the current official spellings of the names of places and people mentioned in this book. I have, respectively used the word Baloch and Balochistan in this book, instead of word Baluch, Beluch, Belooch, Biloch and Baluchistan, Beluchistan as mentioned in many historical and British documents. The plural of word Baloch is also Baloch. The word Baluchi is used for Baloch language.

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1    Land & People

Chapter 2    History Of Baloch, Balochistan & Kalat State

Chapter 3    Betrayals By Pakistan And Death Of Kalat State

Chapter 4    Natural Resources - Gloom For Pakistan Doom For Balochistan

Chapter 5    Resistance And Insurgencies In Balochistan

Chapter 6    Atrocities By Pakistan

Chapter 7    The Baloch Conflict With Pakistan: TheWay Out

Appendix I

Appendix II

Appendix III

Appendix IV

Appendix V

Appendix VI

Appendix VII

Appendix VIII

Bibliography

Preface

Mujhe jang-e-azaadi ka maza maloom hai,

Balochon per zulm ki inteha maloom hai,

Mujhe zindagi bhar Pakistan mein jeenay ki dua na do,

Mujhe Pakistan mein saathh saal

jeenay ki saza maloom hai.

- Habib Jalib

These lines roughly translate into :

I know the taste of struggle for freedom, I know the heights of oppression inflicted on the Baloch, Don’t pray for life in Pakistan for me, I know the life of punishment that I’ve lived in Pakistan for sixty years.

This was the last lament written by Habib Jalib Baloch, a Baloch leader, Senator and a Supreme Court Lawyer, who was assassinated in July of 2010, despite of him being known as the moderate leader of Balochistan. I was in my twenties back then, but even today, when I read through such expressions, also what Martin Luther King expressed — ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’- the word Balochistan echos in my mind.

Every time I think of that place, one of the three scenario play in front of my eyes. First of which some Pakistani soldiers shooting the bullets in head of Baloch rebellions, blindfolded with hands tied behind their waist. Second of, old Akbar Bugti with gun in his hand in the Bhamboor hill of Dera Bugti, raising the voice against establishment and resisting to his meticulously planned murder by General Musharraf, and third, a ten years old girl holding her father’s photo, who was last seen at a police station eight years ago and missing since then, mass graves of unknown dead bodies is very common in Balochistan.

In past, Greater Balochistan region was remotely located far away from Kingdom of the Persia in west and equally at distance from Indian princely states in east. In present time the Balochistan, a part of Greater Balochistan is now disputed remote territory, illegally annexed by Pakistan, lies between Sindh province of Pakistan and western international border of Iran. The whole region was populated most heavily by ethnic Baloch people and thus named this region Balochistan. Later geo political developments in area, divided Greater Balochistan into three separate countries. This book is mainly focusing on present Balochistan, the region under occupation of Pakistan.

Toady Baloch people have been fighting for existence for the last seventy years, the existence which Pakistan wants to eradicate. All these years, the Baloch are struggling for life and reclaiming their home land i.e. Balochistan, and the loss has been unimaginable.

In the last seven decades, suffering of Baloch people has been due to pain, atrocity and oppressions that Pakistan has given them, in order to suppress their voice. A voice that wants to save its culture, its people, and its home land from Pakistan, its army and its leadership, which is trying to gain control over their home land.

Till now thousands of Baloch, its political leaders, children and woman have been either killed or facing brutal treatment in jails, by this repression of Pakistan. And there are countless missing, for whom there is no signal of them being dead or alive, after they were whisked up by army, police and agencies of Pakistan. It is difficult to find a Baloch family in Balochistan, which is not affected or in deep pain, by the inhumane treatment of autocratic Pakistan government.  

Continuous exposure to such atrocities makes Balochistan and Baloch people as the most neglected and deprived among the world. I felt a deep pain and sorrow for the country Balochistan which is illegally annexed and occupied by Pakistan, and for its people Baloch people who are fighting for their fundamental rights and independence from years.

We Indians, specially my generation, is born lucky. We breathed our first in a free country which respects human rights and is governed by a fair constitution. As citizen of biggest democracy in world, India, We, everyone, learned from our constitution that we should take stand up against everything which is unconstitutional, unethical, injustice-full and unequal. As a political activist, I try my best to raise voice against injustice and unconstitutional issues matters happening around. As citizen of the country whom I love more than anything, I felt it is my duty to raise my voice till justice served to the last man standing in the queue.

In same compassion, I firmly believe that, as a responsible citizen of this beautiful world, I must speak and take a stand for the any deprived soul on this earth. I feel deeply connected and concerned about the people, who are living in constant pain and grief. Through this book, I am making an effort to express my sensitivity towards Baloch people, who are around 350 kms away only from my hometown, living in traumatic conditions under suppression and oppressions of our neighbouring country Pakistan.

The emergence of the Pakistan was cataclysmic event for South Asia. From the day one it has been proved as a curse to its neighbouring states. As soon as it emerges - Pakistan army attacked India in 1947 Second thing Pakistan did in toddler age was, It illegally annexed and occupied the Balochistan - The independent Kalat State, on 6th march 1948 with an army operation and till today it occupies this beautiful place and it’s wonderful innocent people.

Balochistan, despite being a geography rich with natural resources, minerals, oil & natural gas, is in its worst phase under pseudo governance of Pakistan federal government but actually under direct army control. The federal government of Pakistan, seated in Islamabad, is not giving any advantage to mineral  rich Balochistan in return as compared to the revenue which Balochistan generates for Pakistan. Hence, the issue of exploitation of  Balochistan’s natural resources and inadequate allocation of funds for the province’s development is one of the major reason for resentment in Balochistan.

In an era, where electricity, health, education, etc. are deemed the basic requirements of a simple living, Baloch are spending lives far deep in mountains, unaware of the outer world with a mere dream of having access to these basic amenities. 

Pakistan army in order to silence the voice of freedom, fundamental rights and basic amenities of Balochistan and its Baloch people, has adopted immoral and unethical approach like brutal killings, genocide and un-traceable disappearances of several thousands of Baloch people.  

Through this book, I, in my best capacity, have tried to give readers an account on Baloch history, geography, legitimate demands of Baloch, betrayals and atrocities of Pakistan on them, and to uncover this inhumane face of Pakistan, its government ,its political leaders, including army and agencies who not only betraying and oppressing Baloch people but betraying the humanity. Today Pakistan establishment is touching, or we can say, crossing the heights - of oppressions on Baloch People.

I dedicate this book completely to the brave clans of Balochistan who are fighting for their freedom and fundamental rights, to the people who deserve a prosperous, peaceful, happy and free life.

It took me three years since I started writing this book. I am thankful to my wife, Jyotsna and my daughters Shivranjani and Divyaranjani, who gave me enough space and time in the lengthy and challenging process of writing a book. I am grateful to Col Manvendra Singh for his guidance and encouragement. I am highly indebted to Mr Naseer Dashti, the renowned Baloch scholar for writing a chapter Baloch Conflict with Pakistan: The Way Out for this book. I am thankful to my friend Laxman for working with me on the manuscript and all of my friends who encouraged me for writing the second book. I appreciate the efforts and support of Devendra Joshi and Rahul Khatri in coordination with publishers.

I would also like to thank other writers who have written on Balochistan before and with their research helped me have a better understanding of the culture, ethnicity, history and political issues and problems of this distressed place. I applaud them for their courage and tenacity, for if it was not for them, many like us would never know there is another world in our neighbourhood which is so unlike ours. It would be impossible for me to thank everyone who supported me during the research, which have eventually resulted in this book.

I hope readers will find this book good enough to understand the issues and legitimate demands of Baloch people and Balochistan.

A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true. — Dr Martin Luther King Jr

Chapter 1

Land & People

Each blade of grass has its spot on earth whence it draws its life, its strength; and so is man rooted to the land from which he draws his faith together with his life.

Quote by Joseph Conrad, was a Polish-British writer,regarded as one of the greatest novelists to write in the English language.

Chapter 1

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B alochistan is a remote region - a remote region, far away in both geographical and cultural manner from its neighbouring countries.

Both Balochistan, the present illegally occupied Balochistan region by Pakistan, and in past- The Greater Balochistan which lies under present Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan are example of remoteness condition. Topographical features such as ragged mountain ranges and scorching barren deserts, contributes to the sense of remoteness. Travel is difficult and limited to routes around the natural barriers.

In past, Greater Balochistan region was remotely located far away from Kingdom of the Persia in west and equally at distance from Indian princely states in east. In present time the Balochistan, a part of Greater Balochistan is a disputed remote territory between Sindh province of Pakistan and western international border of Iran. This region was populated most heavily by ethnic Baloch people and thus named this region Balochistan, the home land of Baloch people.

Before 1947 the region between the Persian Kingdom and Indian subcontinent was known as homeland of Baloch people. Geographically it includes of dessert, arid mountains, and a long coastal line of Arabian sea. The parts of the present southern and southern western Afghanistan, southern eastern Iran and western parts of Pakistan was the homeland of Baloch people. Mostly parts of present Nimruz province of Afghanistan, Sistan province of Iran and Balochistan province of Pakistan were part of it. Quetta, Turbat, Zahedan, Zaranj, Khuzdar, Uthal, Iran Shah, Dera Bugti, Dera Murad, Dera Allahyaar, Sibi, Kalat, Jumali, Gwadar, Chahabar, Nuski, Kharan, Makran were major towns of the Baloch homeland known as - The Greater Balochistan.

The Greater Balochistan was larger than France in area, with approximately 640,000 square kilometre area in size. In terms of geographical diversity it is more similar to Iranian plateau which lies to its western side than to Indian sub continent which lies in the east. Later because of geo political developments in area, it divided into three separate countries.

Balochistan Province in British Era

In historic perspective the political boundaries of Balochistan vary from today’s Balochistan. During British period, according to the Imperial Gazetteer of India, Balochistan occupied the extreme western corner of the Indian subcontinent and was situated between 24° 54° and 32° 4° latitudes and 60° 56° and 70° 15° longitudes. It was divided into three main divisions.

a) British Balochistan - with an area of 24543 square kilometre, consisting of tracts assigned to the British Government by treaty in 1879.

b) Leased areas - with an area of 114853 square kilometre composed of tracts, which have, from time to time, been acquired by lease or otherwise brought under control and been placed directly under British officers.

a) The State of Kalat (including Las Bela, Kharan and Makran) with an area of 202107 square kilometre.

Present Balochistan (Illegally Occupied by Pakistan)

In area, Baluchistan is the largest of all the provinces of Pakistan. Situated between 27.54° and 32.41° latitudes, and between 60.55° and 40.15° longitudes. It has area around 3,47,190 sq. km, constituting 44% of Pakistan’s total land mass. Pakistan illegally declared this region as its part in 1948.

The country of the Baloch has been known as Balochistan since the founding of the first Baloch confederacy in 12th century. But the name Baloch is used in two distinct ways by historians and writers, First, including the all races inhabiting the geographical areas of Greater Balochistan. Second, denoting a particular race or group of ethnic people by its origin. As I mentioned earlier, this book is mainly focused on present Balochistan, Which was once part of Greater Balochistan, so I am applying word Baloch for the all inhabitants who are living in this region from more than thousand years, which of presently illegally annexed and occupied by Pakistan from last 72 years.

Pakistan occupied Balochistan province shares its boundaries with Punjab, Sindh and north west frontier province known as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province, NWFP) province of Pakistan. Present Balochistan shares a coastal boundary of around 750 kilometres in its southern part from Arabian sea. Princely state Kalat, Lasbela, Makran and Kharan of Greater Balochistan are now part of present Balochistan province. The parts of Chief Commissioners Province of British rule time are also part of present Balochistan province.

On the western side it shares around 900 kilometre of international border with Iran, on western- northern side it shares a 1200 km of international border with Afghanistan. Province is bound by the water of Arabian sea in south with a coastal stretch of around 750 kilometre.

Population:

Pakistan 2017: 207.685 million; 1998: 132.352 million. Growth: 2.4 per cent.

Balochistan 2017: 12.335 million; 1998: 6.567 million. Growth: 3.37 per cent.

Overall, 5.94 per cent of Pakistan’s population in 2017 as compared to 4.96 percent in 1998.

Male: 6.4 million; Female: 5.8 million.

Population Density: 19 per sq. km

Literacy Rate: Pakistan: 58.92 per cent; Balochistan: 43.58 per cent ¹

The official figure of Pakistan census done in 2017 reported the population of Balochistan province around 207million, which is less than six percent of total population of Pakistan. It has an average of only 19 people per square kilometre, which is very less than comparatively 256 people per square kilometre of Pakistan’s average density. Figures say very clearly that Balochistan province covers a major land of Pakistan with very less population.

Area wise Balochistan is around 3,47,190 square kilometre which is almost 44 percent of total land area of Pakistan and thus make it biggest province of Pakistan. The capital city of Balochistan province is Quetta. It has the highest population of 100105. It contains not just the government and the military headquarters, but the vast majority of Balochistan’s institutions of higher education and almost the whole of whatever little the province has of manufacturing industry other than Gwadar port. Outside Quetta begins the world which Quetta was built to quell and hold at bay: the world of the tribes.

Physical Features of Balochistan

The terrain of Balochistan is tough and hard for human living. The rugged mountains, sharp ridges, sharp valleys, harsh desert and long plains without vegetations make it more hard for living. But from thousands of years in living, Baloch people acquired very good acclimatisation to the conditions.

For a topographic study, Baluchistan can be divided into four main regions:

i) Upper mountain-ranges of middle and mid-eastern Balochistan.

ii) Hilly regions comprising the slopes of the Pab Range in the east; and the slopes of the ranges in Makran, Kharan and Chagai in the west.

iii) The region of Plains including the triangular plain composed by Kachhi, western Lasbela and Dasht regions.

iv) Desert region which includes numerous sand-hills, and the rocky region in the north-west.²

Mountain Ranges, Passes, Rivers & Ports:

Mountains:

• Bugti Hills: Dera Bugti District, Sibi Division. The Bugti tribe is mostly settled in the Bugti Hills.

• Central Mekran Range: Kech District, Mekran Division.

• Chagai Hills, Chagai District, Quetta Division. Most Baluch living in Chagai are nomads.

• Giandari Range: The Giandari Range is located on the border of Baluchistan and Punjab Provinces. It is part of the end of the Sulaiman Range.

• Marri Hills: Kohlu District, Sibi Division. The Marri tribe resides in the Marri Hills.

• Mekran Coast Range, Gwadar District, Mekran Division.

• Ras Koh Hills: The Ras Koh Hills are located on the border between Kharan District of Kalat Division and Chagai District of Quetta Division. The Baluch living in the Ras Koh Hills are mostly nomads.

• Sulaiman Range, Pakistan: The Sulaiman Range runs north to south parallel to the Indus River, ending in Balochistan in the Giandari Range and the Marri and Bugti Hills.

Passes:

• Bolan Pass, Bolan District, Kalat Division. The Bolan Pass has strategic significance as the only gateway and communication route between Indian sub continent and rest of western world in ancient times through this region. It is located at valleys between high ranges. The Bolan River runs through it. Some Marri tribesmen live in the area of the Bolan Pass.

Plains:

• Kachhi Plain lies in