Baloch leader: Pakistan misusing US aid

After PM Narendra Modi’s mention of Balochistan during his Independence day speech, state-run broadcaster Doordarshan did an exclusive interview with Baloch Republican Party chief Nawab Brahamdagh Bugti during which he reiterated that the issue of Balochistan should be raised in the United Nations.

The Baloch leader also said that Pakistan was misusing the aid it got from the US to abet terror and violence in Kashmir.

He said that the recent statements by the US state department expressing concern would not be enough and that the US should also stop the aid being given to Pakistan in the name of fighting terrorism.

The interview indicates that New Delhi would do everything possible to highlight the plight of the Baloch people, who had been at the receiving end of massive human rights violations by the Pakistan Army.

This is also bound to put more pressure on Islamabad, which has been busy trying to draw global attention to the Kashmir issue.

The interview — which was telecast on Saturday night on Doordarshan News — took place in Geneva and assumes significance as India had recently expressed concerns over human rights violations by the Pakistan military in Balochistan.

The US has also reportedly said that violations of human rights in the region should stop immediately.

Mr Bugti has lived in exile, first in Afghanistan and later Switzerland, since the killing of his grandfather Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in Balochistan in 2006.

The Baloch rebels had recently observed the 10th martyrdom anniversary of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in Dera Bugti, Balochistan. He was killed by the Pakistani Army during an operation at his hide-out located in Kohlu, about 150 miles east of Quetta. The then President and Pakistani Army chief General Pervez Musharraf is believed to have masterminded the operation.

During the interview the Baloch rebel leader and President of the Baloch Republican Party described the mention of Balochistan by PM Modi and the global concern over human rights violations there as positive support from the international community. He told the news channel that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark on Balochistan had attracted the focus of the world towards the region and the misery of its people was now being discussed everywhere.