Dera Ghazi Khan and Baloch Struggle for Independence

Dera Ghazi Khan and Baloch Struggle for Independence
writer:Sardar munawar qaisarani
translated by:Meerain baloch

The only objective of Baloch national struggle is the revival of a sovereign Democratic United Blaochistan State, and its territory must cover the geography of Baloch Nation, which includes Western Balochistan (Iranian occupied Balochistan) and Eastern Balochistan, including Derajat (Pakistani Occupied territory).

Dera Ghazi Khan is an integral part of united Balochistan. The British Government with its anti Baloch policy, hatched a conspiracy and got Dera Ghazi Khan separated from the Kalat State, a symbolic name of Balochistan, a Baloch sovereign state. However it is a fact that a part of Dera Ghazi Khan, stretching from Dera Ismail Khan and Southern Waziristan, on the north to the border of Sindh on the south – known as the Tribal Areas, was never the part of British India and the Tumandars, the Chief of Baloch Tribes, enjoyed the status of Heads of the States in their respective tribal territories. The partition of subcontinent was in fact the partition of territories of British India as such the Baloch Tribal Areas did not automatically become the part of Pakistan, under British Act of Independence of India 1947. In fact the relations of Baloch Tribal Areas with British Government were based on bilateral agreements. Just at the eve of creation of Pakistan all the Tumandars of Baloch Tribes of Dera Ghazi Khan who were virtually Head of the States held a session under the president ship of Sir Jamal Khan Leghari in which Tumandars of Qaisrani, Buzdar, Khosa, Lund, Leghari, Gorchani, Dareshak and Mazari Tribes and other representatives of the tribes, participated in the Session at Fort Munro, the summer headquarters of Dera Ghazi Khan District, which were covering about 12 square miles area, which were leased out to the Government of British India by the Leghari Tumandar. It was decided unanimously in the grand Session of Baloch Rulers to declare Baloch Tribal Areas as Independent and Sovereign. And compliance with the decision in the Grand Session of Baloch Rulers the Union Jack at Fort Munro was removed and ceremoniously The Balochistan National Flag was hurled there.

Later on the Government of Pakistan deputed Sir Francis Mody, The Governor of The Punjab, to visit Dera Ghazi Khan and call for the conference of Baloch Tumandars in order to determine and review their previous declaration of Independence and sovereignty and joining as a federating unit of The Kalat State. The conference was held at Dera Ghazi Khan and the Baloch Tumandars once again approved their previous declaration unanimously and refused to review it. Subsequently the Pakistan establishment pursued the policy of stick and carrot, dealing with Baloch Tumandars. The political administration of Pakistan contacted every Baloch Sardars individually and extended threats that their jagirs, the fertile lands in the Punjab already granted to them by the Government of British India would be withdrawn and all privileges enjoyed by them would be abolished, in case they fail to review their declaration of Independence, and on the contrary if they annulled their previous stand taken at Fort Munro and in the conference at Dera Ghazi Khan they would be benefited enormously. All the Baloch Sardars surrendered before the Pakistan establishment except the Qaisrani Tumandar Sardar Manzoor Ahmed Khan Qaisrani who stuck to his guns, and he didn’t sign any document regarding reversal of political stand of Independence of Qaisrani Tribal Area. Qaisrani tribe today conceders that Qaisrani Tribal Area is still independent and part of Balochistan.

Qaisrani Tribal Area is rich in mineral resources, gas, oil, uranium etc, in 1994 Qaisrani Tribe assaulted on the Dhodhak Oil & Gas Field of OGDC and made hostage all field staff, officers and the personnel of the security forces. Pakistan Government initiated an army operation under the command of Lt. Col with heavy armed contingent against the Qaisrani Tribe at Kot Qaisrani. At this critical juncture Sardar Zahoor Ahmed Khan Qaisrani, the Chief of Qaisrani Tribe and the writer of this column (Sardar Mubashir Khan Qaisrani) representing the Qaisrani Tribe at Kot Qaisrani sat on the table of negotiations and they didn’t surrender the right of ownership and royalty. After few hours of the proceedings of dialogue between the parties Senator Mir Manzoor Ahmed Ghicki, Senator Dr. Abdul Haye Baloch lodged strong protest in the Senate at the army action against the Qaisrani Tribe. Similarly the political leaders of the Balochistan namely Sardar Akhter Mengal, Mir Mohammed Ayub Buledi Shaheed, Mir Kachkol Ali Baloch, Kauda Akram Baloch and Dr. Yaseen Baloch supported the cause of Qaisrani Tribe and protested against the anti Baloch policy of Pakistan. Later in Sardar Zahoor Ahmed Khan Qaisrani and Sardar Mubashir Khan Qaisrani two members delegation had a meeting with Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari then the President of Pakistan, and they discussed the issue of political status of Qaisrani Tribe with its historical background and the ownership of the mineral resources in their area and demanded the right of ownership of mineral resources for their Tribe. Sardar Farooq Leghari was hesitant to support as he admitted that he was not in a position to support their cause, however it be just and lawful. Presently Senator Jamal Khan Leghari who achieved the position of being member of Pakistan senate with the blessings of establishment is vocal against the Baloch cause of independence with his selfish motive to please the establishment so that he and his family may have personal gains and benefits, betraying the ideals of his great grand father who was his name sake, but he is not in a position to harm the Baloch struggle like any other Sardars in Balochistan including Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, who are dancing at the tunes of the establishment.

The people of all tribes of Dera Ghazi Khan are ready and prepared to welcome Baloch Sarmachar struggling for Independence of their motherland and to form Democratic United Blaochistan State as a sovereign and independent state, and it is fact that no Sardar whosoever he may be can obstruct the struggle of Baloch freedom fighters.

Minat : Meerain Baloch