Baloch Movement inflicts state in deficits: Dr. Manan Baloch, Secretary General BNM

Interview by Ahmed Khan

Baloch National Movement Secretary-General Dr. Manan Baloch says the ongoing movement in Balochistan has inflicted the state with significant losses in all fields. He denies any foreign aid to Baloch. He says they are educating the Baloch masses in the socialistic sector. He claims surface politics for pro-independence in Balochistan hasn’t got failed. He doesn’t condemn killings by Baloch Pro-independent armed organizations but strongly condemns killing by others. He considers the National Party “B” team of Islamabad differs from Balochistan National Party (Mengal) leadership and policymakers, not workers. He doesn’t feel any difference between fighting organizations and denies any conflict will occur among them because their thoughts have a resemblance in the future. Dr. Manan Baloch was interviewed by phone and expressed views are his own.

Here abbreviations are used like Blv means Bolan Voice and DM mean Doctor Manan Baloch.

Bolan Voice: Do you think due to the Baloch struggle state has become powerless? If yes, then how much but on-hand Baloch people’s losses are before us. That is why we feel the state is strong and functioning as usual.

Dr. Manan Baloch: Well, it is clear that the state’s economy has collapsed and lost international support due to the Baloch struggle. Its forces started the genocide of Baloch people, bombing their huts and using poison in the water, so the state didn’t have the world’s confidence. On the other hand, they also forced the UK’s authorities to stop the activities of Baloch leaders who are striving for independence. They also asked the Americans to declare Baloch armed forces terrorists, but America disagreed, as the British did it. It is also to be noted that they are taking the help of media like articles by Hamid Mir, Saleem Safi, and Majeed Asghar in favor of Baloch is a conspiracy to harm the Baloch struggle. As far as Baloch losses are concerned, it is not to be called losses because it is the way to purify the revolutionary process and bring it to a higher level. If we peruse the history of the world that people shed blood just for getting independence, and the Baloch nation is tendering sacrifices for the same purpose. That is why I don’t call these sacrifices losses.

Blv: Balochs are not united; even those Balochs who claim to be pro-independent are not united and divided into various factions. Why is it like this? Why don’t they endeavor to be united on a single platform? 

DM: I can’t entirely agree with the question that Baloch people are not united. Suppose they were not connected; they could not fight against a state. After tabling the bill on Baloch in US Congress, the Pakistani media interviewed Barahamdagh Bugti, Hairbeyar Marri, Dr. Allah Nazar, BNM’s leaders, and BSO-Azad’s leaders. Still, you couldn’t find any dissimilarity in their statements, meaning Baloch is united. As you mentioned, the Baloch Armed forces, if they wouldn’t be linked, then they would kill each other, but it isn’t so. As far as Balochistan National Party (Mengal) and National Party and Balochistan National Party (Awami) are concerned, they assist the enemy. The separation of mentioned parties makes no difference. Similar to these, parties were assigned slogans by the state in the history of the world. It is happening too in Balochistan to create obstacles in the way of movement.

Blv: If BNM, BRP, BSO-Azad, and other pro-independent parties and groups all consider Khair Bukhsh Marri, their leader, then why don’t they go toward him for the merger of all in one? 

DM: Yes, Khair Bukhsh Marri is the Balochs’ leader, and those striving for independence trust him. But bringing them together is up to the time they feel merged, but these parties coordinate.

Blv: How do you see American role and resolution about Balochistan, even America’s history teaches it never supported oppressed nations? And intellectuals say that America and Israel will seclude Baloch from other oppressed communities and quickly obtain their resources. What do you think about this point?

DM: Let me tell you one thing our Baloch power is running our movement, and we have never asked them for help solely because we are with you after independence. It is also true that Balochistan is in the eyes of the world. All the countries like America, India, China, etceteras have their interests in Balochistan. We are not going to be with them because our struggle is for the renaissance of our Baloch nation, not to be anyone’s enslaved. We want to have their political and ethical support, not to be enslaved, because slavery is slavery, whether in Pakistan or America.

Blv: How do you see the hotchpotch or all kinds of thinking in fighters’ movements? Will they not fight with each other after getting independence?

DM: As everyone knows that Baloch people are secular, many experts came to Balochistan, and their research reveals that Balochs are Secular Minded. There can’t be any difference to fight against each other, but there, to some extent, can be irregularities that can’t be ignored. But as far as I know, there cannot be any tussle among them because they all believe in one leadership.

Blv: How do you see China’s presence in Balochistan? Has it also been exploiting Balochs’ resources?

DM: Projects are run by China, and even China intended to develop Gwadar deep seaport with Pakistan, which the Baloch Movement has almost hindered, but it is also to be noted that before getting independence, Baloch couldn’t stop the plundering of their resources from multinational companies of the world. It is also true that the Balochs admonished China to stop exploiting their resources, primarily from Sendak. If it persists, consequently, it will not have cordial with China in the future. 

Blv: In India, like Naxalite, educate people as socialistic and take those with a socialist mindset or similar thoughts and ideology. In this regard, is your party working?

DM: Baloch has its geography, history, and national civilization, and today’s world objective circumstances are taught to the Baloch masses. If any central committee member or any other senior party incumbent visits different areas and in various ways, these discussed things are introduced to the Balochs. In this way, leaders convince people to get included in their party. The second tool is literature; in this way, posters, stickers, pamphlets, and books are like Zumbush. BSO-Azad has Sagaar convey messages to people about our thoughts and educate them socially. The third tool is Baloch writers or BNM and other pro-independent workers writes-up are also channels of education, this way people include in party and onward works to be done.

Blv: A kind of guerrilla fight, state has started, like killing and abducting of Balochs, how can it be stopped? 

DM: if Balochs are kidnapped and killed, they sacrifice lives for a great cause. You think if the state is killing Baloch people signifies they are powerful and the state is afraid of them, so if they would not kill and abduct, then we would not be considered influential. Here chairman Mao says, “If rival combats with revolutionaries or start tyrannies, it means revolutionaries got power and counter-revolutionary confessing their power.” The killing and abducting of Baloch can end at that time when Baloch would reach their destination. 

Blv: Two years ago, a leader said, “surface politics will be failed. But now it has come true. How do you see this?

DM: Listen, I am the Secretary-General of BNM; I say that if the surface would get failed, then our existence would be impossible, but Balochs are significantly in our party even they martyred our eminent leader Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and our many more party worker are missing as well as many of have been killed, but we are functioning as usual. If we spotlight on BSO-Azad, its leadership and activists are martyred in large numbers, but BSO-Azad still exists and functions appropriately. Whoever talked about the failure of surface politics, I negate that.

Blv: Before, Russia was active about Balochistan’s issue, but at present is silent; this veto power state won’t support the independence of Balochistan?

DM: Internationally, someone is neither your friend nor enemy because it is written in Selig Harrison’s book that Russia says if they support Baloch Movement, then Pakistan can create a problem for it with America. That is why she is silent. As Khair Bukhsh Marri said, “Russia gave a small support to Balochs, equally to bread, not more than this.” All international forces have their interests to support Balochs, but Baloch People never want to sacrifice their interests for them.

Blv: State is using its religious fundamentalists against Balochs. How will liberal Balochs deal with this aspect? 

DM: If we go back in history, German rulers used the church as a tool for ruling. Later, Gandhi brought Muslims in his favor to support Muslims’ “Khilafat” movement. Of course, here, they have been using the name of Islam to weaken the Baloch struggle. In 1948, many Baloch Scholars decreed in favor of Baloch independence. Presently Baloch Ulemas openly favor the freedom movement, and they consider Baloch martyred as well. Many are struggling practically in the struggle. A prominent figure is Abdul Khaliq Baloch, who has been a part of the movement.

Blv: Baloch people have the foreign aid?

DM: Let me tell you that they are helping each other. If Baloch had foreign aid, then the situation in Balochistan would be changed. Balochs, not someone else, support Baloch Movement. Most state authorities blame India and others, but these countries have much-armed power and sophisticated weapons, but Baloch doesn’t own these. Wealthy Baloch people’s help and finance ways are being used to meet requirements. Foreign aid blame is wrong.

Blv: What do you say about Party Finance that many Baloch people have been sidelined from the movement. Many have been sold and joined hands with others because meeting instinct needs finance is essential in the capitalist age. What do you say about it?

DM: If party members have problems, party leadership tries to solve them. Suppose those who have been martyred or gone missing, so the party is tackling their household matters and the party doesn’t leave workers helpless. But those who have glutton nature and avidity of wealth can’t be dealt with anyway. They will go behind wealth and don’t care about the love of motherland and any norm, for such we don’t have any cure.

Blv: Brahamdagh Bugti and Hairbeyar Marri are tribal leaders. How do you compare them with political leaders? 

DM: Brahamdagh Bugti is the political party leader and prefers to be a tribal leader. On the other hand, Hairbeyar Marri discusses Baloch Nation’s whole; he never talks only about his tribe. Both leaders speak about Baloch Nation, and it is also pertinent to assert that Marri’s and Bugtis’s contribution is more compared to the other tribes of the Baloch Nation. If there were tribalism, then the Bugti people would support Talal Bugti, and Marri would Jangraiz Khan Marri, but it is not so. They are struggling only for the welfare of the Baloch People.

Blv: Sir, if your party makes an ordinary man your leader through its domestic elections, you accept, but can Brahamdagh Bugti and Hairbeyar Marri get the same, and will they be agreed to work under-ranked of a brilliant worker of their respective parties? 

DM: As you know, Hairbeyar Marri stated the favor of our party, and it is also known that Khalil Baloch and I both belong to the middle-class family, and if Hairbeyar Marri had the difference about ordinary people, then he would call our party the actual party of Balochs. As far as Brahamdagh Bugti is concerned, I am sure that he accepts a commoner to be the president of his party.

Blv: For class merger, what is your party doing?

DM: If any Sardar, non-tribal, labor, peasants, etceteras are with you for the struggle for independence, there will not be inequality in independent Balochistan.

Blv: What will be the situation in Balochistan in nearer future?

DM: Well, I can’t predict; I only struggle. In his statements, so-called democratic leaders, especially Asif Ali Zardari, apologizes, and we don’t want it because we have never been their part.

Blv: What are your party disagreements with BNP (Mengal) and NP?

DM: We, by all means, disagree with these two parties because you know BNP (Mengal) is trying to make both sides happy in the name of Self-determination. Nation Party is in Islamabad, and when the bill on Balochistan was tabled in US Congress by Mr. Rohrabacher, Dr. Malik Baloch said that it was reached in America due to Islamabad’s ineffective strategy. It means Dr. Malik Baloch is worried about the bill and why it was presented in US Congress!

Blv: Do you condemn the killing of settlers, BNP’s leader, workers, and the National Party?

DM: Those who Baloch armed forces have killed, we don’t condemn it, and those who enemy has killed we highly condemn, especially the killing of Advocate Salam and his minor daughter. We condemn killing of BNP workers, and we don’t have any dispute with them but have with the said party leadership on the base of policies.

Blv: Pakistani leaders, we know, apologize at first, then again for the killing, but if any international force takes its warranty for maintaining accords, will you negotiate with them? 

DM: No, never. Balochistan is an occupied territory. It can never over negotiate whoever comes in between Baloch and the state of Pakistan.

Blv: After independence, will all Baloch tribal leaders and people sit together, or will their condition be like Afghanistan, where Ahmed Shah Masood, Hikmatyar, and others formed their groups and various territories they occupied? 

DM: If we already think about the dangers, we can’t fight. If a boy goes to fight and his grandfather scares that he will face problems on the way like lack of water, dangerous places so on, then the boy will never try to fight. Let me tell you, our war is institution-based, not personality launched, and we are fighting this war for the welfare of our Baloch people, not to intensify their problems.

Blv: Can your neighboring countries, America and Russia, accept your geographical change?

DM: If today Sudan, Kosovo, and other new countries have emerged on the world map, neither America nor Russia is involved. You know Iran, like Pakistan, is our enemy, and it has also occupied our land, and Baloch Movement, due to its struggle, can persuade these all countries.

Blv: Is the ongoing Baloch Movement part of the Great Game?

DM: No, it is not. America drew a map of Balochistan some years ago, but Baloch has been struggling since 1948. Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, in his speech, said, “If America wants to enter Balochistan, then she shouldn’t forget the history of Vietnam.”

Blv: Some people say that the leaders of BNM prefer heroism or personal fame. Is it true?

DM: It isn’t true because you can rarely find our leaders, even in newspapers and speeches. As I became the party’s secretary-general, I didn’t give those statements or addresses that show we are after heroism. It is there that the party’s comments come by the name of party spokespeople, but it doesn’t mean that to be after heroism.

Blv: In Eastern Balochistan, Baloch culture and language almost do not exist due to cultural exploitation or other reasons. How does your party take measures to revive Baloch Culture apart from national and international politics?

DM: Some years back, our children would use the words Papa, Aunt, Uncle, and likewise, but because of the current Baloch Movement now, they don’t use these words and use their Balochi terms instead of these. movement has roused consciousness and revived love for their nationality. Only war can save the culture and language, and we are confident to preserve our culture with the help of war.

Blv: Do you want to give a message to Baloch through Bolan Voice?

DM: I am not a big personality to deliver a message, but independence is for all the Baloch people. They all should join hands with BNM or those parties striving for independence because only independence can be the panacea of Balochs’ all problems.