Baloch Terrorist !!!

How come someone labels entire nation a terrorist group.  Entire Baloch population is clubbed as terrorist!! 

 Celebrities ( Shahroz Sabzwari) irresponsibly sharing a picture that defines a liberal in Pakistan. One may write separatists, as Baloch live in Iran, Afghanistan & Middle East .....

Karachiwala; a Subcontinent within a City!!

It was busy day at work; T2F is the place that provides food for thoughts . Last evening one of the stand up comedians Sami Shah performed there. I reached half an hour earlier and decided to explore books and then grab sandwich along with coffee. I was looking at books I came across an interesting cover page, a book written by Rumana Husain, graphically appealing and thought provoking title “Karachiwala a Subcontinent within a City”!! When I flipped few pages I came across an African descendent Baloch woman’s picture, each page had description such as name and ethnic group of the person in the picture. I came across a funny ethnic group name, it described African descendent Baloch woman as MAKRANI. To me it is funny that people end up writing books without knowing the basics of an ethnic group. However being a Baloch, my forefathers migrated from Makran to Karachi, born and brought up in Karachi, i am a truly Karachiite but deeply connected to my roots. When one looks at various definitions of ethnic group, it is described as “a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage that is real or assumed, sharing cultural characteristics. This shared heritage may be based upon putative common ancestry, history, kinship, religion, language, shared territory, nationality or physical appearance".  Markran is a place and people living in that area are called Makrani and ethnically they are Baloch. Similarly I can not call Karachiite an ethnic group, no one describes the ethnic identity of people living in Karachi as Karachiite. The African convert Baloch were once ethnically from various African origin tribes bought (during slave trade) by rulers of Muscat and various princely states of Balochistan. There was severe drought in Balochistan and African slaves “convert into Baloch; adopted Balochi culture and language” were freed. During 1850s modern port construction work started and most of the slaves got laborious jobs and settled near Liyari. Unfortunately, we as Pakistani do not interact with each other, don’t understand each others' background, psyche, history, norms, values and to large extent culture and we never try to explore the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan. At times I feel that in Pakistan we are alien for each other.

The Divine Love legend - Sheh Murid and Hani “Romeo & Juliet of Balochistan”

 By Shagufta & Bijjar Baloch Story of Sheh Murid & Hani is a symbol of pure and tragic love, it revolves around love, romance, miracle, mystery and human passion. Story depicts the life of baloch, their emotions and philosophical idea ‘Good, Evil’ The story dates back to the 15th century, which is considered to be the heroic age of Balochistan and the classical period of Baloch literature. Sheh Murid was the son of Sheh Mubarak, the chief of the Kahiri tribe. At that time when a man was known for his arts, Murid was famous as having mastered the art of swordsmanship, horsemanship, and archery. For his skills and braveness he was ranked the highest in the army of Mir Chakar Khan Rind, the chief of the Baloch army. Murid’s bow made of steel was so heavy & he was known as the “Lord of the Iron Bow”, because none but he alone could draw and shoot arrows from it. Hani was the daughter of the Rind noble Mir Mandaw; some say she was Murid’s cousin. She was a paragon of loyalty and devotion and everyone knew her for her good character and chastity. Hani was engaged to Sheh Murid and had been a childhood friend of Murid. Legend says that one day when Mir Chakar and Sheh Murid were returning from hunting, they stopped at the town where their fiancées lived. Since a Baloch woman never appears before her betrothed before the wedding. Mir Chakar and Sheh Murid decided to visit each others’ fiancées. Sheh Murid went to Mir Chakar’s fiancée, who brought him clean water in a silver bowl. Murid, dying of thirst, drank the entire bowl in a single gulp and became sick. However, when Mir Chakar went to Hani, Sheh Murid’s fiancée, she brought him clean water in a silver bowl in which she has placed dwarf palm leaf, properly washed. The chief was surprised by the pieces of straw, but he drank the water with care in order to avoid swallowing the straw. When he departed he found Murid vomiting and sick. Murid told him that the water had made him ill because he drank a lot of water on an empty stomach. Now Mir Chakar realized that Hani had acted wisely by putting pieces of straw into water. May be that palm leaf ironically touched Mir Chaka'rs heart. Some time later, Mir Chakar organized a gathering of poets where Baloch heroic poems were recited and chief from each tribe was invited. Mir Chakar wanted to test Balochi values in invitees, asked each to take a vow “make a solemn Balochi promise” and stick it rest of the life, one may end up sacrificing a lot. This was like, “the Balouch Honor” and for this they stand - their pride which eclipses the brightness of the Sun. A vow ‘solemn promise’ for which he will have to make the precious Sacrifice. One of the Chief ‘Mir Jado’ swore that he would chop off the head of anyone who touched his beard at the assembly of nobles. Mir Chakar tested Mir Jado’s word by asking his young son to touch his father's beard during an assembly of nobles. The young boy innocently did as he was told; Mir Jado turned his face and moved the boy hoping no one noticed. However Mir Chakar encouraged the boy to repeat the action the boy grabbed his father's beard once more. The entire assembly became silent and looked towards Mir Jado. Will he be true to his word? Full of wrath, Jado unsheathes his sword and smites the head of his innocent son in the presence of all the Rind nobles. Now it was time to test Sheh Murid and he hosted a festive gathering on his wedding and invited renowned poets to entertain the audience. And at the close of the festivities, Sheh Murid, was ready to depart with his possessions. Mir Chakar asked for Hani. Sheh Murid was shocked; he thought that he would have asked for his bow which was a unique bow and he was a brilliant marksman with a strong bow. He was known as The Lord of the Iron Bow. With a heavy heart and much sadness he told Mir Chakar to take Hani. The unexpected demand distressed him greatly, and Murid realized that he had lost Hani. If he did not keep his vow he would be mocked and future generations would have contempt for his name. Soon after the annulment of Murid’s engagement with Hani, she was soon married to Mir Chakar. Murid was so shaken by this turn of events that he abandoned his former life and passed the days and nights in worship of Allah. He also composed poems eulogizing Hani’s beauty and openly expressing his passionate love for her. Later the scandalous news of Murid’s love for Mir Chakar’s wife became the talk of Balochistan. His father Sheh Mubarak tried to advise him, he composed a poem in Baluchi in response to his father’s advice;

My Shai mubark says, Oh Mureed leave your aloofness,Aloofness without purpose direction(purpose), For Chakar’s beautiful wife, In the assemblies you are not amongst your friends, You are like a walking corpse, Hani's love has blinded you, How will you carry on in this way, I replied, I advised my elderly father, I advised my respected father, Oh most honored father, Oh most esteemed, If you were in my place likewise, You would have left all your friends, And stopped going to assemblies and noble gatherings, You would have lost your mind, And not be aware of how you dressed,You would have clapped your hands, On your lap and be, In your own world, At least i am sometimes with it And sometimes not with it. Then Sheh Murid decided to leave the country and run away to unknown lands across the seas. Sheh Murid remained in Arabia for 30 along time during that time he truly became a beggar and lived the life of an ascetic. After spending years away, he returned to Sibi in shabby clothes with his hair hanging down to his waist. In the company of a band of beggars he passed himself off as an anonymous mendicant begging for alms at the palace of Mir Chakar Khan Rind. The maidservant gave bowls filled with grain to each mendicant, but when she presented this food to Murid, she saw that Murid’s eyes were fixed upon Hani. Hani recognized him at once but held herself back to avoid any suspicions, but Chakar saw a sparkle in her eyes. How Hani felt I wonder the vows of a wife she has taken in one side and on the other side the part of her soul Murid. No body could recognize but Hani did, because they had played together as children. Hani recognized the mark on the upper left thigh, which her bracelet had made, and another one behind the eyebrow. When the Rinds checked the marks, they at last recognized Sheh Murid. Although Mir Chakar married Hani, however he was unable to consummate the marriage, whenever he approached Hani, he would freeze as if paralyzed. For years it was carried on this way and realized that Hani can never truly be his. When he found out that Sheh Murid had returned, he told Hani that Sheh Murid was a great man and deserved her, so he divorced her and told her she was free to go to Sheh Murid. Hani, who had not forgotten her first and only love, decided to go to him, she told him that Mir Chakar had realized his mistake and has now freed her so that they (i.e. Sheh Murid & Hani) could be together. But Sheh Murid told her that he had now reached a different level and cannot step down from that to be with her. To Sheh, Hani was a mean by which he had reached closer to Allah. He took left her and later he visited his father’s camel herd, chose a white camel, mounted her, and disappeared from mortal eyes. He has become the immortal saint of the Baloch, and the common belief among the Baloch is that: ta jahan ast, Sheh Murid ast (Until the living world, Sheh Murid remains immortal and their eternal love remains.) Love is such a blessing and it is Divine. Beyond any explanation or definition. Disclaimer “Original post is edited by Imran Baloch for concise reading”

Bullets Sprayed on Innocent Shahnaz, A Baloch School Teacher!!! BBC Urdu Riaz Suhail (9th Sep 09)

On last Sunday FC firing wounded many; Ms Shahnaz was also one of them. Shahnaz is from a remote town of Balochistan known as MAND, it was her first ever participation in public gathering held in TUMP. She didn’t know that first ever step to be part of gathering would pose grave danger to her life. On Sunday, Frontier Constabulary opened fire in TUMP, wounded Ms Shahnaz; she was attending the Soyam “Memorial gathering on 3rd day of death” of young poet Mir Jan Meeral at TUMP High School, Meeral was killed by FC few days back. Shahnaz explains, men, women and children were attending peaceful gathering and listening to Balochi poetry, all of sudden peaceful gathering turned into blood bath. FC surrounded the High School building and entered, neither they asked people to leave or end the gathering instead they baton charged indiscriminatingly and sprayed bullets.

Shahnaz further shared, that her 20 year old cousin received bullets and fell down, she ran away towards him but ended up receiving bullet on her neck. Women took her to TUMP hospital, doctors gave her initial treatment then she was taken to Turbat Hospital and then to Karachi. During this indiscriminate firing, Shahnaz’s cousin a 10th grade student Mukhtar Baloch was killed and her father Abdul Rehman was injured. Shahnaz is a primary school teacher at Former Federal Education Minister Ms Zubeda Jalal’s school, received bullet on her neck, she tells that she can not move her right hand and arm, using oxygen mask and going through extreme pain.

When I asked her, what made her to participate in socio-political gathering, she said, Baloch are not getting their economic rights for example Balochistan provide gas to rest of the country but people in Balochistan are still using Iranian LPG gas cylinders, at times it costs them Rs 1,000 to 1,500. Shahnaz’s father Abdul Rehman Rind believes that his life has turned bleak, young daughter is on death bed, his nephew; he raised him like his own son was killed. But I feel satisfied that my nephew died for the country, his crime was that he was part of peaceful gathering. Abdul Rehman shows his wounded back, he said, FC attacked them as if they were attacking the enemy forces. Abdul Rehman owns a Dumper Truck, for Shahnaz, he sold his land, he explains that in Turbat Hospital, even they are not equipped to treat Malaria so he had to bring Shahnaz to Karachi. Rehman protests that peaceful gathering is our democratic right; even after this brutal attack he will never stop his kids to attend any sociopolitical gathering.

“This report was published on 9th Sept 09 on BBC URDU Web by Riaz Suhail”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2009/09/090909_shehnaz_sen.shtml

Baloch in the Eyes of the Great Iranian Scholar and Poet Ferdos Jamal (1623-1705)

Baloch loves fighting but hates to be a soldier. Loves music but has a great contempt for musicians. He is kind loving and gentle but hates to show it. Hot blooded and hot headed, poor but proud, with strange principles. He loves his new rifle and old wife He will die but never step back from his words. He is loving and sincere friend but a deadly enemy. 

Baloch Society is all about Honor & Revenge!!

If one asks me the core values that prevails in Baloch society, my answer would be simple, it is Honor and Revenge. History tells us the same story, British took to govern the empire that now constitutes Pakistan through an approach or a formula, it says, `Rule the Punjabis, intimidate the Sindhis, buy the Pushtun, and honor the Baloch. British learned the core values that prevails in Baloch society and history is witness that they hard cordial relationship with the subject, they knew the empire building tactics. On the other side if one looks at the history of Balochistan after the creation of Pakistan, one would find constant disgrace of Baloch followed by humiliation. Be it forced annexation of March 1948 or killing of Khan Karim , or disgrace of 80 year old Mr. Naurooz Khan, deceiving through false promises and using Holy Quran , trapping him to lay arms which was followed by his disgraceful hanging at an old age. Be it 1970s army operation, killing of thousands of innocent or recent humiliation by President Musharraf, threatening, saying Baloch would not know what would hit them, to him Baloch are traitors and to be dealt with disgraceful fashion. Killing of Bugti or Balach, thousands of men and women already disappeared, physically assaulted and sexually abused are examples of disgrace. Unfortunately, most of the Pakistanis do not know Baloch history, society, values, had they known the importance of Honor, we would not have been facing present day crisis. If one humiliates Baloch honor it would be followed or responded with the instinct of revenge. After so much Pakistani humiliation, to me whole Baloch society is fueled with the fire of revenge. Solution to Balochistan problems requires deeper understanding than just passing statement that it is foreign hand, helping Baloch traitors. Revenge of history is painful, it is high time to not to be ignorant.

What’s Wrong with Baluchistan???

Being a Baluch I am often asked a question regarding Baluch struggle against strong center, I usually end up responding to the question with historical snapshot…. Recently a Special Report published by US Center for International Policy title “Pakistan the State of the Union, by SELIG S. HARRISON. Let me share snap shot of the report to respond to the question What’s Wrong with Baloch !!! Never Been Part of Pakistan Movement: Neither the Baluch nor the Pashtuns supported the Pakistan movement. In contrast to the Baluch and the Pashtuns, some Sindhis did support the Moslem League, and Sind was incorporated into Pakistan peacefully Lahore Resolution; A Deception: The Muslim League sought unsuccessfully to win them over by pledging in its Lahore Resolution of March 23, 1940, that the projected Pakistani state would be a confederation in which the constituent units would be “autonomous and sovereign” and central government powers would be limited to defense, foreign affairs, foreign trade, communications and currency. But the Baluch fought militarily against their incorporation into Pakistan until the Pakistan Army occupied Baluchistan in 1958, and they have subsequently waged three insurgencies to win the autonomy promised in the Lahore Resolution or, failing that, independence. Frequent Army Action in Colonial Fashion: From 1973 to 1977, some 80,000 Pakistani troops were needed to defeat insurgent forces; in 2005, six Army brigades were needed, plus paramilitary forces totaling more than 25,000 men. Punjab’s Loot & Plunder of Economic Resources ; A Reality Check: Punjab’s per capita income of more the $80 compares with $54 for Baluchistan; the literacy rate in Punjab is seven times higher than that of Baluchistan, and the infant mortality rate in Baluchistan (130 per 1,000 live births) compares with a national average of 70. One glaring example of Punjabi economic exploitation is that Baluchistan does not get a fair share of the benefits of its own gas deposits. Although gas obtained from Baluchistan accounts for 30 percent of Pakistan’s total gas production, Baluchistan consumes only 17 percent of its own output, while the remaining 83 percent goes to the rest of the country, primarily to the Punjab The central government charges a much lower price for Baluchistan gas than for gas produced in other provinces and pays lower royalties. Sui gas is extracted under the direct control of the Pakistan armed forces and interfering with access to the gas has repeatedly been a goal of Baluch insurgents. Baluchistan has some 19 trillion cubic feet of undeveloped gas reserves, six trillion barrels of undeveloped oil reserves and extensive copper and gold deposits that cannot be developed until a political accommodation is reached with the Baluch leaders. At present, 22 foreign investment ventures in Baluchistan licensed by the central government are paralyzed because Baluch leaders challenge the right of the central government to conclude these licensing agreements without Baluch participation that will assure the Baluch populace an equitable share of the benefits of future profits. Zia Representing Army Believe Baloch are SAVAGE: a conversation with the late President Zia Ul-Haq, a Punjabi, on March 8, 1980, Zia, referring to the Baluch, said that “some of them are almost savages, not like the rest of us.” Members of the minorities often cite the statement by former President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in his submission to the Supreme Court shortly before his execution.

Sound of Banjo in Salt Lake City Mountains

Banjo has always been my favorite musical instrument, in Pakistan it is only played in Baloch culture along with Surod ‘another Balochi folk musical instruments’.

During my recent US visit, I was invited over a home hospitality dinner by Michael & Tammy in a three story beautiful wooden house surrounded by icy Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, UTAH. I loved the food and discussion with Michael, Tammy, Ron & Jennifer. Michael served us Broccoli Mascarpone soup and in entrée, saltimbocca chicken was served along with creamy arugula over sweet potato pasta orange cranberry sauce with Brazil nuts, it was so yummy, I still do not forget the taste.

After meal, light instrumental music was played; it was so familiar and captivating to my ears that I could not resist asking Michael about the music, he told me that it was Banjo. I was surprised ‘big time surprise’; I thought Banjo is a folk authentic Balochi musical instrument.

I went to hotel room to research about the origin of Banjo, I found that “The banjo is a stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments.The name banjo is commonly thought to be derived from the Kimbundu term mbanza. Some etymologists derive it from a dialectal pronunciation of "bandore", though recent research suggests that it may come from a Senegambian term for a bamboo stick formerly used for the instrument's neck.

However tune was familiar but the shape of Banjo in Balochi music is different from the one used in US. It is fascinating to know that how historically human interaction resulted in exchange and enrichment of global culture and music.

Awesome Balochi Norwegian Fusion Music Concert

I always love the Balochi Norwegian duo, fusion music. Rustam Mir Lashari along with Abdul Rehman’s master Banjo skills are awe inspiring.

Just wanted to share my favorite song, simply cool.

Shari, Protesting Baloch Girl Asks Pakistan, “Where is My Father?”

Tonight I came across a sentimental video on BBC on gross human rights violation in Baluchistan. Video showed little 9 year old girl Shari, protesting in Karachi, her father Wahid Kambar is one of the several men who have disappeared. It is alleged that government and law enforcement agencies are behind such disappearance. Wahid disappeared on 14th March last year and Shari explained that govt has also informed that he has been arrested. If there is any allegation he and other guys must be produced before court. She protested in crying voice, “we are on street I will commit suicide, it is better to die, my father is the only bread earner for family” innocently she questioned “why we baloch have to face all brutalities?” Sitting in Lahore in my dorm, Shari’s appeal made me sentimental, made me cry, I set aside my books and started thinking deep about the plight of my people in Baluchistan. Next segment showed interview of Karema Baloch, she said our protest is as per UN charter, right of self determination is every nation’s right, be it Kashmir or Palestine. As per Karema around 8,000 men and women have been disappeared. I started asking questions to myself “How long this brutal game will continue? Isn’t it enough, been over 60 years, for God sake!!!….history teaches us, it is not possible to enslave people and depress the free will. Peace is the product of justice, no justice no peace. Bleeding wounds of Baluchistan need healing hand.