The president of the Baloch Republican Party (BRP), Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti, has invited all Baloch pro-independence parties and leaders to unite.
In a recent statement, Bugti said that the BRP is a political and a democratic organisation which represents the Baloch nation and believes in a peaceful struggle for freedom.
"BRP has been making efforts to solve the Balochistan issue through political and peaceful means, but the Pakistani establishment and its security forces have always tried to suppress the Baloch movement at gunpoint," said Bugti.
Talking about recent news stories about negotiations with Pakistan, he said every movement had to come at the negotiation table at some point to achieve its goals, and therefore, as a national political party, BRP possessed the authority to represent the cause of Baloch nation through peaceful and political means.
"Dr. Malik Baloch made several requests for meeting in the past but they were rejected as he has no authority over the matters, which he accepted himself in the recent meetings and said that he works only as a messenger."
Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti said of his meeting with CM Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik in Switzerland, adding that he also made it clear to state representatives that negotiations were not possible as long as the atrocities in Balochistan continued.
Bugti said that it was not the first time that Pakistani state called for negotiations or the Baloch leaders had been in contacts with and held meetings with the representatives of the state government.
"Before this, Nawabzada Hairbyar Marri held meetings with the then interior minister Rehman Malik during Peoples Party's government and so has Dr. Allah Nazar been in contact with current CM Balochistan, Dr. Abdul Malik. BRP respects the decisions of these leaders to contact with state authorities, and in spite of being unaware of their agendas, we never criticised these decisions in the hope that Baloch national interest was prioritized in those communications," Bugti said.
He said that in the current circumstances, it was his responsibility to inform the Baloch nation about some mistakes and weaknesses in the Baloch movement, adding that disclosing some facts might benefit the enemy but concealing them would harm the Baloch even more.
He further said that father of the nation, Shaheed Nawab Akbar Bugti always tried to bring the Baloch under one platform and create unity among them by establishing a united platform or a single party; so that instead of dividing between different parties and groups, unity prevailed in their ranks.
"After martyrdom of Shaheed Nawab Akbar Bugti, Baloch National Front was formed as a result of the efforts of all friends where all the baloch pro-freedom organizations gathered as a united front. The aim of this front was to raise voice against state atrocities and military operations in Balochistan, and to continue the Baloch struggle through a unified approach. It was decided that besides these goals, all parties and leaders would use their personal or individual party platform to address all other matters. Unfortunately, some friends from the BSO-Azad violated this decision and a press statement against BNP was issued from the platform of Baloch National Front, against the front's rules. BRP contacted those friends and they accepted their mistaking, assuring it would not be repeated.
"After few days, another similar statement was issued from BNF and after contacting friends, we came to know that it was from some friends from BSO-Azad this time as well. The leadership of the organization apologized and pledged to take action against those responsible.
BRP gave one more chance to the friends, since such small mistakes often take place in such movement; but this issue was not yet finished that another statement from the BNF platform was issued announcing Nawabzada Hairbyar Marri as the international representative of Balochistan, which BRP had no idea about despite being in charge of BNF leadership at the time.
"However, if this matter was properly discussed by the member parties of the BNF, there were enough chances that BRP would also accept Mr.Hyrbyair Marri as the international representative. But as it was against the founding agenda of the front, BRP rejected it and opposed it on every level.
" Hyrbyair Marri got upset with us for opposing this decision even though he should have openly condemned the elements involved in such an apolitical move." He said that BRP contacted BNM and BSO-Azad and requested them reject this action but they showed no response.
After investigations into the matter, he said, it was known that the statement was issued by Sweden-based Samandar Askani, who didn't have any affiliation with BNF whatsoever.
He said that "these non serious and apolitical attitudes of the member parties of the front, BNM and BSO-Azad, compelled us to resign from all offices of the BNF, even though it was decided at the time of formation of the front that this alliance would be converted into a national Single Party in the future." He said that some people accused and criticized BRP for breaking the alliance but later BNM and BSO-Azad also identified the real people responsible.
"Even after these incidents, state atrocities such as enforced disappearance, illegal detentions, kill and dump of mutilated dead bodies continued in Balochistan. Not only the pro-independence Baloch parties but the entire Baloch nation suffered heavy losses as a result of military operations, abductions and killings of hundreds of Baloch political activists and youth. On the other hand, no positive developments were being achieved to mobilize and strengthen Baloch national struggle on local and international levels because of the disunity among pro-independence forces.
"During that situation, BRP once again tried to gather all the pro-independence parties and leaders under a united platform. Subsequently in June 2014, meetings were held between all the Baloch parties and leaders including BRP, BNM, Nawab Mehran Marri, Mir Javed Mengal, Sardar Bakhtiyar Domki in Geneva, Switzerland.
"During the meetings, some differences between BRP and BNM surfaced and both parties steadily stood on their stance. Nawab Mehran Marri and Mir Javed Mengal were requested to resolve the standstill. But after both leaders gave decision in favor of BRP, the friends of BNM refused to accept the majority decision which hindered the entire process.
"Some responsibility also lies upon Nawab Mehran Marri and Mir Javed Mengal as they didn't properly played their role to persuade BNM to accept the majority decision. Had these leaders tried to convince the friends of BNM and/or informed the Baloch nation about their irrational attitude, there were good chances that BNM would have also played its part to form a national unity."
Bugti said that some leader or parties might oppose BRP's opinion and have their own, which was their right to have but "criticizing each other about the past mistakes would only worsen the situation. BRP might also have weaknesses and mistakes and we are ready to identify and correct them."
He further said that reason behind the disappointment and frustration among the Baloch masses were not the state atrocities but rather the disunity within the ranks of Baloch leaders and political parties. He said the nation also understand that if these parties don't unite under this difficult situation, how they would join hands after liberation of Balochistan.
"Suppose if Balochistan gets independence (which is very difficult if this crisis continues), then how would these leaders and parties would lead the nation and land into chaos by fighting among each other, when different international players will try to control the newborn state or its policies for their personal interests."
"A glimpse of such a horrible scene has been witnessed as a result of conflict between two organizations recently." He said it was very unfortunate that some friends paid more attention towards division than unity.
"There are some elements outside Balochistan who have no affiliation with Baloch, Balochistan or the Baloch movement, but they try to cause division among Baloch parties & leadership by supporting a particular opinion while criticizing others. Unfortunately some friends considers them as the well-wishers of Baloch nation but those elements, in fact, only work for their own petty interests. A small example is that they only bother to speak few words in favor of Baloch struggle or participate in a protest only when a first class flight ticket and five stars hotels for their stay are booked. Baloch does not need such fake sympathisers but rather needs true supporters."
It is only possible under national unity to gain maximum true international support and recognition, he added.
Bugti said that he was hopeful even in this situation in spite of all difficulties and assured the Baloch masses that BRP would continue to struggle for unity in the Baloch national movement to the extent possible. "I request all pro-independence parties and leaders including BNM, BRSO, BSO-A, Nawabzada Hairbyar Marri, Nawab Mehran Marri, Sardar Bakhtiyar Domki, Mir Javed Mengal and others to play their role for national unity, despite all the differences, for the sake of Baloch nation and the sacrifices of Baloch martyrs."
"As I do not have documentation to travel outside Switzerland, therefore, i request all the leaders to try to put all other matters aside and sit together in Switzerland within a period of one month to sort out all differences, and work for national unity," he said.
Bugti said that if it was not possible to meet in Switzerland for any reason, the meetings should be held in any European country where BRP delegations would also participate and he himself would talk via online video link.
"There could be differences on many issues but they could be resolved through majority decision. If any party or leader does not accept the majority decision, they should be made answerable to the Baloch nation so the nation will decide who is responsible for disunity within our ranks.
"After formation of a national unity, BRP would accept the majority decision on all issues, including negotiations with the state," adding that the state atrocities could be defeated only through unity.
"Only unity can guarantee success" he concluded.
