CPEC: A Key Opportunity For Socio Economic Development of Balochistan

Imagine how ridiculous that sounds, when someone, who is born under the shadow of luxuries, lived there all his life in the ‘Glare of Money’, ignoring the fact that there are many living around his kingdom depending upon his mercy that he' nor his forefather ever spare. The life of common people in their surrounding was nothing but utter slavery; forget about asking for the rights with strong courage, they never even dare to beg these Sardari-Kings, ever.

Yes, that’s right; I am talking about the Sardars and Nawabs of Balochistan who are ruling poor Baloch since the time of independence but even after decades of rule they could not provide the basic facilities to their people. Saying that would be more appropriate that these rulers did not let their people have healthy life style; schools to hospitals, government to private sectors, roads to sewage system, in short nothing had been done that could help the common man in Balochistan.

                Beside taking share from budget these Sardars and Nawabs also used to take share of billions of rupees from ‘gas-wells’ in Balochistan BUT where all that money has gone, no one knows, not even government of Balochistan. Even a common man can tell you that why there was no development done during the period these Sardars have ruled Balochistan. I wonder why Balochistan government never had any check and balance on these elected Sardars sitting in the assembly; anyways it is a different debate that may not be relevant to my the topic; so let’s just get back to REAL issue of today: CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor).

                Couple of days back I scanned through a blog that was trying to create confusion by putting up so many misleading questions on CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor). In my views, these types of questions should not go un-noticed as it can easily distract common populace. So, here I am putting forward fact shed to all those questions one by one:

-          Multi-billion dollar economic corridor deal between Pakistan and China is aimed at colonizing the Balochistan province, and must be resisted.

Interesting, someone like grandson of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti is talking about colonization in Balochistan? Especially when something really reassuring is going to happen for poor’s living in Balochistan? What these Nawabzadaz have done for people of Balochistan? Clean water? No; Good roads? No; Health and educational sectors? No; electricity and gas? No, nothing. Now ‘Mr. Perfect’ sitting in comfortable couch in Switzerland with dozen of pretty faces around him declaring a billion dollar project as ‘colonizing the Balochistan province’? wow that’s some REAL sincerity with the poor people of Balochistan?

-          Balochistan remains Pakistan’s poorest and least populous province.

Who is responsible for this? of course all those Nawabs and Sardars who had been elected by the people of Balochistan. Just for Mr. Brahamdagh Bugti’s information, let me take you back to the history for a while as he might have forgotten his forefather’s dodgy past; The Provincial Assembly of Balochistan was constituted under a Presidential order in 1972. The foundation of the present Assembly building was laid in 1973 by the Governor Mohammed Akbar Khan Bugti, from that time and till now ONLY Sardars and Nawabs are controlling Balochistan Assembly. If they haven’t done their job right, would that be fault of someone living in Punjab or Gilgit-Baltistan?

-          Rebel groups have waged a separatist insurgency in the province for decades, complaining that the central government in Islamabad and the richer Punjab province unfairly exploit their resources.

-          So finally they are admitting that the insurgents in Balochistan who are involved in anti-state activities in the name of so called ‘Narazgi’ (Anger) are just playing Naraz-Baloch card for Balochistan resources? Everything is in Balochistan, Sardars and Nawabs are controlling it then what this ‘Narazgi’ has to do with other provinces? It’s ‘I’ start putting blame on ‘my’ brother in-law’s wife for ‘my’ dirty kitchen instead of asking my wife to keep it clean; sorry for this example but that’s exactly how these RAW sponsored rebels are talking since decades..

-          Islamabad reacted to the insurgency by launching a military operation.

-          Brahamdagh Bugti, leader of the Baloch Republican Party living in exile in Switzerland, and grandson of slain nationalist leader Akbar Bugti, talks about the separatists’ stance on the Pakistani-Chinese deal.

So those who are fighting with heavy weapons and heavy explosives should be left free for roaming around in the Urban Areas of Balochistan? They should be set-free to bomb trains, damage public property and gas pipelines just because they are ‘angry’? Imagine how un-professional that sounds. Militants are angry on government and killing innocents in Balochistan’s markets, bus stops, railway stations and even using hand grenades on houses where innocent women and children live; should government of Pakistan let these militants do all that crap just because they are ‘ANGRY’? Are you even in your senses Mr. Bugti?

-          The Baloch separatist demand a share of the financial benefits and doesn’t allow China and the Punjab to use Balochistan for their benefits.

   
Government of Pakistan is giving all finances to elected members in Balochistan assembly. If militants are un-happy with that they should come through proper channel. Take part in elections, get elected, sit in assembly and talk like a ‘human’ if they are really seeking for ‘human rights’.

-          Some Baloch leaders have also complained that Islamabad deliberately changed the corridor route in favor of the Punjab, avoiding Balochistan’s key cities.

Mr. Brahamdagh Bugti now there are three arteries running in CPEC covering all the provinces of Pakistan. Stop lying from a cozy living room of Switzerland. Three CPEC routes – western, central and eastern alignments – were under consideration. Although the government insisted on building the western alignment in the first phase. The western route starts from Gwadar and passes through Turbat, Panjgur, Nag, Basima, Sorab, Qalat, Quetta, Qilla Saifullah and Zhob in Balochistan to reach Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and then heading to Hassan Abdal before reaching Islamabad.

-          There will be massive human rights abuses in Balochistan because of this deal.
A business deal that can help not only improve infrastructure of Balochistan but also can provide massive job opportunities for engineers, labors, architectures and businessmen community in particularly  for only Balochistan people. This megaproject is a massive investment plan that will transform Balochistan into a huge regional economic hub, in the region.

-          Isn’t there terrorism in the Punjab, in Karachi, and in other parts of Pakistan? But are there people attacked by helicopters like the residents of Balochistan?

I can present hundreds of examples in response to this illogical statement. Pakistan has been put in state of war and military action can be taken any time ANYWHERE needed depending upon how critical the intensity of  situation is, even in the heart of Islamabad someone challenging writ of the government and threatening/harassing civilians with weapons in their hands, government has not spare them no matter what. Lal-Masjid is the BIGGEST example, were they Baloch? No; they were only doing illegal activities and disturbing ‘law and order situation’ just like militants are doing in Balochistan. Government is dealing all terrorists equally; doesn’t matter if they are living in FATA or Loralai.

-          Everyone knows how the lawmakers get elected to Balochistan’s provincial assembly.
This argument is quite interesting. Brahamdagh’s grandfather had been part of the Balochistan assembly and remained as governor of the province, by lifting such points isn’t he actually leaving BIG question mark on the ‘era’ when his grandfather was part of the elected government’?

-          CPEC would not bring any prosperity to people of Balochistan.

I wonder what makes Mr. Brahamdagh feels that this development project will not bring any prosperity to people of Balochistan. He nor his forefathers or any other Sardar in Balochistan could bring such type of mega projects for the Socio economic development of Balochistan (except Gwadar project which was also completed in General Mushraf’s era).

-          Some clerical jobs? We don’t want to be the gatekeepers of gas pipelines; we demand a fair share of the wealth for our province.

This again leave question mark on all those Sardars and Nawabs who never took interest in education sector of Balochistan. When you provide no educational facilities to people of this province how these people can get job of some engineer?  After ruling decades you people have not done nothing for poor Baloch, children of Sardars and Nawabs are completing studies in Oxford university but a common Baloch living in the deserts of Balochistan doesn’t even have a proper school in Balochistan. Baloch are having 6 percent quota in civil superior services of Pakistan & Balochistan public service commission is only for the people of Balochistan which offers merit & quota based jobs to Baloch people.

                If Sardars have been ruling Baloch people then it is their responsibility to provide basic facilities to Baloch citizen that includes clean water, better health and educational facilities, schools and hospitals, buildings roads and power supplies along with proper sewerage system. BUT nothing has been done so far, since past decade government of Pakistan is building school, colleges and universities in Balochistan with the help of Pakistan Army. Many small projects are already under process and CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic corridor) is above all those projects. These development projects are ray of hope to end Sardari and Nawabi colonization in Balochistan, for them which is very hard to digest.

                I, as a responsible citizen of Pakistan, urge all these Sardars and Nawabs to eradicate this self-exiled life and instead of seeking for political asylum in Switzerland and England ‘return to Pakistan’ and do something good for Baloch what their forefather could never do.

بلوچستان ۔بیرونی طاقتیں  ، سازشیں اور اثرات

آبِ کوثر

    حالیہ دنوں میں ایک رپورٹ نظر کے سامنے سے گزری، اس رپورٹ میں صرف کچھ اعداد و شمار ہی تھے جو میرے لیے نئے تھے باقی تمام باتوں سے تو قارئین بھی اچھی طرح واقف  ہونگے۔ رپورٹ میں بتایا گیا تھا کہ کس طرح  دھماکہ خیز مواد مختلف راستوں سے ہوتا ہوا بلوچستان تک پہنچا یا گیا ۔  یہ رپورٹ میری راتوں کی نیند حرام کر دینے کے لیے کافی تھی، رپورٹ میں صاف صاف درج تھا  کہ صرف 2013ء میں سیکورٹی فورسز اور خفیہ ایجنسیز کی مشترکہ کاروائیوں کی مدد سے کس طرح پاکستان ایک بڑی تباہی سے بچ گیا۔

            رپورٹ کے مطابق  چار راستوں کا ذکر کیا گیا جہاں سےغیر ملکی طاقتوں کا بھیجا گیا  بارودی مواد بلوچستان پہنچایا جاتا رہا ۔ ان راستوں میں افغانستان، بحیرہ عرب،  مکران اور ایران کے راستے  شامل تھے۔   تفصیلات دینے سے پہلے ایک مثال بھی دی گئی تھی جو یہاں قارئین کو معلوم ہونا ضروری ہے۔  2008ء میں اسلام آباد کے  میریٹ ہوٹل میں ایک  دھماکا ہوا جس  میں 600 کلوگرام  دھماکہ خیز مواد استعمال کیا گیا تھا۔دھماکے کی شدت سے زمین پر 6 میٹر گہرا گڑھا بھی  پڑ گیا  جسکی چوڑائی 20 میٹر تھی۔ حملے میں 266 کے قریب زخمیوں اور 54 کے قریب ہلاکتوں کی بھی تصدیق کی گئی تھی ۔   جبکہ میریٹ ہوٹل مکمل طور پر تباہ ہو گیا تھا ۔

            اب  بات کرتے ہیں اصل موضوع پر کہ آخر یہ دھماکہ خیز مواد پاکستان میں آتا کیسے ہے۔ سب سے پہلے ایران کا ذکر آتا ہے،جہاں 2013ء میں تفتان سے ہوتے ہوئے چاغی (جہاں سے دہشتگرد تنظیم  '' بی ایل اے '' دہشتگردانہ کا روایئاں کرتی ہے) اور چاغی سے  مستونگ  (جہاں سے دہشتگرد تنظیم '' بی آر اے''دہشتگردانہ کاروائیاں کرتی ہے)اور پھر کوئٹہ یہ  پہنچایا جاتا رہا۔ یہ سن کر آپ دنگ رہ جائیں گے کہ یہاں سے پکڑے جانے والے بارودی مواد  میں  40 ٹن پوٹاشیم کلوریٹ،  25 ٹن امونیم کلوریٹ،  7 ٹن کے قریب سلفر (گندھک)،  28 خودساختہ بارودی سرنگیں  اور20 خودساختہ اسلحہ وبارود کے ذخائر شامل ہیں۔  پکڑے جانے والا یہ اسلحہ وبارودمیریٹ ہوٹل جیسے 92 دھماکے کرنے کے لیے کافی ہے۔
            اب باری آتی ہے مکران کی جہاں سےدھماکہ خیز مواد گوادر (جہاں سے دہشتگرد تنظیم '' بی ایل ایف '' دہشتگردانہ کاروائیا ں کرتی ہے) کے راستے ہوتا ہوا تربت(جہاں سے دہشتگرد تنظیم '' بی ایل اے '' اور ''بی ایل ایف'' دہشتگردانہ کاروائیاں کرتی ہیں ) سے  پنجگور(جہاں سے دہشتگرد تنظیم '' بی ایل ایف'' اور ''بی آر اے'' دہشتگردانہ    کاروائیاں کرتی  ہیں)   سے'' سوراب'' میں لشکرِ بلوچستان کے گڑھ سے ہوتا ہوا مستونگ میں ''یو بی اے'' کے دہشتگردوں کے ذریعے کوئٹہ پہنچایا گیا۔ یہاں سے 228 کلو گرام دھماکہ خیز مواد جبکہ ایک ہزار تین سو پچاس (1،350) کے قریب  خود ساختہ اسلحہ و بارود حراست میں لیا گیا۔
            تیسرے نمبر پربحرہ عرب آتا ہے ۔ یہ راستہ تھوڑا مختصر ہے یعنی خضدر سےسوراب  اور پھرسوراب  سے  مستونگ  ۔ ان راستوں میں بلترتیب لشکرِجھنگوی بلوچستان اور ''یو بی اے''کے دہشتگردوں کی بڑی تعداد ہے۔۔۔اعداد و شمار کے مطابق یہاں سے 2013ء  میں 102 ٹن کے قریب بارودی مواد پکڑا گیا جو میریٹ ہوٹل جیسے 102 حملے کرنے کے لیے کافی ہے۔
            چوتھا اور سب سے اہم راستہ   افغانستان سے آنے والا   راستہ  ہے جو باقی راستوں کی نسبت قریب ترین ہے کیونکہ یہاں کندھار سے اسپن بولدک  اور اسپن بولدک سے  بارودی مواد مستونگ پہنچایا جاتا رہا ۔ پکڑے جانے والے بارودی مواد کی تفصیل کچھ یوں ہے کہ  8 ٹن بارودی مواد، ایک ہزار دو سو دس دھماکہ خیز مواد ، 6 ہزار ایک سو ننانوے بارودی سرنگیں اور ایک سو آٹھ خودکش جیکٹس  جو سیکورٹی فورسز نے مختلف کاروائیوں میں ضبط کیں۔ یہ سب پاکستان میں ہونا اور افغانستان میں آٹھ عدد بھارتی کونسل خانوں کا ہونا کوئی  اتفاق کی بات نہیں ۔  کیونکہ پکڑے جانے والا اسلحہ بھارتی  ساختہ تھا  جو خاص کر بھارتی فوج کے زیرِاستعمال ہوتا ہے۔ اس سب پر متعدد قارئین یہ سوال اُٹھائیں گے کہ بھارتی اسلحہ وہ بھی اتنی بڑی تعداد میں آخر  پاکستان میں آیا کیسے؟  اس کا جواب بھی  بہت مختصر ہے۔ یاد رہے کہ آبادی کے اعتبار سے بلوچستان پاکستان کا سب سےچھوٹا جبکہ رقبے کے اعتبار سے سب سے بڑا  صوبہ ہے۔ کچھ مقامات تو ایسے ہیں جہاں 60 سے 70 کلو میٹر تک تو نہ بندہ نہ بندے کی ذات نظر آتی ہے۔ آبادی کی کمی کا فائدہ اُٹھاتے ہوئے یہاں پر تخریب کاری  کے آلات کو لانا لے جانا ایک بہت ہی  آسان سی بات ہے، خاص کر اگر وہاں کے گردونواں میں 'بی ایل اے'، 'بی آر اے'، 'بی ایف اے'، 'یو بی اے' اور لشکرِجھنگوی بلوچستان جیسی متعدد تنظیمیں سرگرمِ عمل ہیں ۔
            2013ء کی یہ رپورٹ اس بات کو ثابت کر دینے کے لیے کافی ہے کہ کس طرح بیرونی طاقتیں خاص کر بھارت ،پاکستان میں بد امنی پھیلانے میں پیش پیش ہے۔ اگر ان تنظیموں کو جڑ سے ختم کرنے میں مزید دیر ہوئی تو شائد ایک اور ضربِ عضب بھی اس فتنے کو ختم کرنے میں دہائیاں لگا دے گا۔

Reply To Hyrbyair Marri

Britain has a moral and legal responsibility to handover “Robbers, TRAITORS & Killers who escaped and got Political Asylum in UK after committing series of crimes in Pakistan:

It was 30th January when I came across an article written by Hyrbyair Marri, a so-called Baloch-separatist sitting in “Great England”, enjoying “Luxurious” life, well-sponsored by several anti-Pakistan elements. I should not forget to comment on his connections with few top ranking secret service agencies particularly “RAW, Mossad and NDS” since AGES. Though it was quite unpleasant to read the crap he wrote to “British” authorities, and digesting it was even more agonizing; BUT I did it. Actually, let me confess something first; every time I hear Hyrbyair, I found him chewing the words that are been put into his mouth by his anti-Pak masters, especially those who are keeping their grimy and greedy eyes on Pakistan’s precious resources placed by nature its province Baluchistan.

Before going into the detail of what Hyrbyair wrote, allow me to take you back in history when Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, father of Hyrbyair Marri fled to Afghanistan during Zia’s era. Why? That is something I don’t need to tell you. Hyrbyair completed his early education from Kabul and for higher education he moved to Russia (sound fishy, isn’t it? YES, it is). Later this ‘Nawabzada’ got political asylum from “Great England” after giving the excuse of life threat to him, in his words “his life might be at risk if he returns to Pakistan”. The question then arises as to why this will happen? In 1992 when Hyrbyair returned to Pakistan and in 1996 he was elected to Balochistan assembly and took charge as Education Minister; As expected very soon he was found guilty of billions dollar embezzlement and killing Justice Nawaz Marri. He had no choice left other then escaping from Pakistan and what place could be safer hideout for thieves, robbers and killers other than United Kingdom?

Hope the above paragraph is ENOUGH for new generation to know how “HONEST” Mr. Hyrbyair is with people of Pakistan especially Balochistan. Now let’s get back to actual topic that made me write this article. On 19^th January, 2015; Hyrbyair wrote to Britain for play their “moral and legal” role to protect activists like him who are not just dishonest, corrupt but killers as well. Hyrbyair also put some bogus allegations on Pakistan military, in his words

Pakistan military is committing gross human rights in Balochistan to prolong its 67 year illegal occupation on Baloch land. They have martyred thousands of Baloch and several thousand have been disappeared who are missing without a trace from last many years.”

This statement highlights the character of Hyrbyair as it gives birth to more serious and multifaceted questions such as:

·        If Balochistan is occupied by military since last 67 years how come Balochistan assembly elected Hyrbyair?

·        If he was elected under military leadership then how the military let Hyrbyair become Minister of Balochistan? Or is he trying to say that he was also working under military and was “involved” in immoral, embezzlement and other illegal activities?

·        If thousands of Baloch have been “martyred” and kidnapped by military why Hyrbyair is hiding in United Kingdom and letting his people die here? Or maybe his life is more valuable than the Baloch people whom he brainwashed to do anti-state activities.

·        From where his organization is getting forgein weapons and from where he is getting the trained manpower for using these weapons against Pakistan’s military? Etc etc etc… these NEVER ending questions are NEVER replied by Hyrbyair and we don’t even expect it from a deceit conspirator like him.

The purpose of this statement of Hyrbyair was just to make his masters realize that the time has come to serve him just like he served them in spreading anarchy in Balochistan. As Government Of Pakistan has taken the strict action against all those anarchists who are working under RAW, CIA and Mossad’s umbrella to separate Balochistan from Pakistan.

By his confused and perplexed statements one can easily analyze the intensity of panic attacks that Hyrbyair has started to have right after the announcement of Government Of Pakistan to chase and hunt-down all the terrorists and vandals working under anti-state elements across Pakistan. The interested part begin when earlier Hyrbyair was talking about “illegal occupation on Baloch land” and the very next moment he started accusing military by saying that they are doing all this to get additional aid from world; once again question arise, is Hyrbyair trying to say that army is killing its own soldiers to get aid? So Mr. Hyrbyair, that means YOUR separatists are following the same doctrine i.e. killing and kidnapping innocent Baloch civilians to gain more funds from RAW, NDS and Mossad to destabilize Pakistan? And of course after all that, in return you are getting the “Luxurious” life that a common Baloch couldn’t even dream of. Too bad that in excessive urgency you clutter up EVERYTHING and hammered your own foot.

There was a point where Hyrbyair got so hasty that he begin to flu jab here to get world’s attention by saying that military weapons getting from China and Western world is been used against Baloch people. I am amazed to see how childish and strange kind of stories Hyrbyair is cooking in his dream world, seriously. Pakistan is fighting terrorism since 9-11 and instead of using these expensive weapons to maintaining Law and order situation of the state, military is going all the way from borders to inside Balochistan just to kill some bunch of civilians? How lame! On the other hand while talking about “democratic values and protection of human rights” he does not respond nor explain anything regarding the foreign weapons that his militants (the so-called separatists) are using against army and pro-Pakistani Baloch. And the MOST important question is from where and how they are getting foreign weapons to challenge the writ of state? His armed militants are continuously found guilty in kidnapping civilians, torturing and then killing them and what Hyrbyair is talking about protection of these militants? Wow, I must say he got some real GOOD moral fiber to impress his foreign masters! 

We as a common Baloch asking the world to stop protecting people like Hyrbyair and other foreign baked anti-sate elements in Pakistan who are taking funds from the enemies and using it against innocent un-armed civilians of Balochistan. As a free Pakistani, it is our basic human right to live with peace in our own soil where our forefathers decided to be part of Pakistan. Our protection under international laws is the responsibility of civilized world; therefore, all the separatist leaders MUST be hand over to Pakistan for doing treason as it has become necessary for maintaining the writ of state; the traitors SHOULD be prosecuted and punished after strict trial.

The paragraph in which Hyrbyair discussed the hundred and eight years old stories of treaties and the departure of British Raaj is a “master piece” of its own kind that NO one has read EVER before. This whole paragraph is evidence how good Hyrbyair is in cooking stories; in fact this is the height of “Lies and Deception” which cannot be even measured as even a school boy can tell you that this had NEVER happened in recorded history. But Hyrbyair knows the fact that whatever he is going to say would be known as truth because he has strong backing of big anti-Pakistani crocodiles, the very same crocodiles who are helping corrupt politicians to rule the country. Then who is going to counter these allegations?  Army ? Who is already fighting on every front?

But again check his bad luck, while chewing all these lies, one thing was forgotten by Hyrbyair and guess what it is? PATRIOTS, the patriots who are ALWAYS here to defend the honor and dignity of this land with STRONG potential to screw nut heads traitors like ‘NAWABZADA’ Hyrbyair.  The agreements Hyrbyair is mentioning again and again and again is NEVER seen by ANYONE else except he himself and of course his masters who made a fake copy of it for him.

By all these studies one thing is crystal clear that “Hyrbyair is a compulsive liar” and the day is not far when he will rue the day when he and his father decided to betray Pakistan. On the other hand UK must rethink its policy of harboring terrorists in its land. This is the order of the day!

Baloch Culture and Heritage

PEOPLE

A number of tribes constitute to make people of Balochistan. Three major tribes are Baloch  (Baloch & Brahvi) and Pashtoon. The Balochi speaking tribes include Rind, Lashar, Marri, Jamot, Ahmedzai, Bugti Domki, Magsi, Kenazai, Khosa, Rakhashani, Dashti, Umrani, Nosherwani, Gichki, Buledi, Notazai, Sanjarani, Meerwani, Zahrozai, langove, kenazai and Khidai. Each tribe is further sub-divided into various branches. The tribal chief is called Sardar while head of sub-tribe is known as Malik, Takari or Mir. Sardars and Maliks are members of district and other local Jirgas according to their status. The Baloch, believed to have originally come from Arabia or Asia minor, can be divided in to two branches: the Sulemani and Mekrani as distinct from the Brahvis who mostly concentrate in central Balochistan. Among the eighteen major Baloch tribes, Bugtis and Marris are the principal ones who are settled in the buttresses of the Sulemania. The Talpur of Sind aIso claim their Baloch origin. Brahvi speaking tribe include Raisani, Shahwani, Sumulani, Sarparrah, Bangulzai, Mohammad Shahi, Lehri, Bezenjo, Mohammad Hasni, Zehri , Sarparrah, Mengal, Kurd,Sasoli, Satakzai, Lango, Rodeni, Kalmati, Jattak, Yagazehi and Qambarani , most of these tribes are bi-lingual and are quite fluent both in the Balochi and Brahvi Languages. The Pashtoon tribes include Kakar, Ghilzai Tareen, Mandokhel , Sherani, Luni, Kasi and Achakzai. LANGUAGES Balochistan, despite its scarce population, has an uncommon racial and tribal diversity. Most of the people in the cities and towns understand and speak more than two languages. In adddition to Balochi, Pashtoo and Brahvi, the majority of the population understand and speak Urdu, the national language. In Kachhi and Sibi districts, people speak Seraiki and Sindhi. Quetta city, the confluence point of all linguistic groups accommodates not only Urdu, Balochi, Pashtoo, Brahvi and Sindhi speaking people but Darri and Persian speaking ones as well. Dehwar tribe of Sarawan sub-division in Kalat, also speaks a language derived from Persian. CULTURE Cultural landscape of Balochistan portrays various ethnic groups. Though people speak different languages, there is a similarity in their literature, beliefs, moral order and customs. The cementing factor is religion which provides a base for unity and common social order. Brahvi, Balochi and Pashtoon tribes are known for their hospitality. Guest is accorded is held in high esteem and considered a blessing from God. Better off people even slaughter sheep or goat for their guest. Sometimes, it so happens that where there are more houses, the guest is assumed to be the guest of the whole village. This open heartedness is the loving feature of the tribal people and is not as deep in the city or town dwellers. Another adorable feature of Balochistan culture is faithfulness and sincerity in all relationships.  There is no place or respect for unfaithful people in prevalent moral order. If fidelity is reciprocated with disloyalty or betrayal it is never forgotten. MARRIAGES Marriages are solemnized in presence of Mullah (a religious teacher) and witnesses. Life partners are commonly selected within the family (constituting all close relatives) or tribe. Except a negligible fraction of love marriages, all marriages are arranged. Divorce rate is very low.  A lot of marriage rituals are celebrated in different tribes. In some tribes, the takings of “Valver”,  a sum of money paid by the groom to his to be wife’s family, also exist. But this custom is now gradually dying out since it has given rise to many social problems. The birth of a male child is taken as a source of pride since he is thought to be the defender of this family and tribe. DRESS The mode of dress among the Balochi, Pashtoon and Brahvi tribes is very similar having a few minor dissimilarities. Turban is the common headwear of the men. Wide loose shalwar (a bit similar to loose trouser) and knee-long shirts are worn by all. The dress of the woman consists of the typical shirt having a big pocket in front. The shirt normally has embroidery work with embedded small round mirror pieces. Big ‘Dopatta’ or ‘Chaddar’, a long rectangular piece of cloth cascading down the shoulders and used to cover head, are used by the women. FESTIVALS There are religious and social festivals celebrated by the people of Balochistan. Two major religious festivals are Eid-ul-Azha and Eid-ul-Fiter. On these festivals people adorn their houses, wear new dresses, cook special dishes and visit each other. Eid-Meladun-Nabi is another religious festival. It is a celebration of the Holy Prophet’s birthday. Numerous colorful social festivals are also source of jubilation. Sibi festival that traces its roots to Mehergar, an archeological site of ancient human civilization, attracts people from across the country. It is attended by common folks, ministers and other government officials. Folk music performance, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other amusing activities present a perfect riot of color. Buzkashi is a peculiar festival showing valour of Balochistan people. It is celebrated on horse-back by two teams that use their skills to snatch a goat from the each other. Courtesy by Doctor Ruqaiya Saeed Hashmi EX-Minister of Inter Provincial Coordination

About Balochistan

The province of Balochistan (or Baluchistan) in Pakistan contains most of historical Balochistan and is named after the Baloch. Neighbouring regions are Iranian Balochistan to the west, Afghanistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to the north and Punjaband Sindh to the east. To the south is the Arabian Sea. The principal languages in the province are Baluchi, Pashto, Brahui, and Persian. The capital and largest city is Quetta.

Geography

Balochistan is located at the eastern edge of the Iranian plateau and in the difficult to define border region between Southwest, Central, and South Asia. It is geographically the largest of the four provinces at 347,190 km² and composes 42% of the total land area of Pakistan. The population density is very low due to the mountainous terrain and scarcity of water. The southern region is known as Makran. A region in the centre of the province is known as Kalat.

The Sulaiman Mountains dominate the northeast corner and the Bolan Pass is a natural route into Afghanistan towards Kandahar. Much of the province south of the Quetta region is sparse desert terrain with pockets of inhabitable towns mostly near rivers and streams.

The capital city is Quetta, located in the most densely populated district in the northeast of the province. Quetta is situated in a river valley near the border with Afghanistan, with a road to Kandahar in the northwest.

At Gwadar on the coast the Pakistani government is currently undertaking a large project with Chinese help to build a large port. This is being done partially to provide the Pakistan Navy with another base, and to reduce Pakistan's reliance on Karachi and Port Qasim, which are currently the only major ports.

Climate

The climate of the upper highlands is characterized by very cold winters and warm summers. Winters of the lower highlands vary from extremely cold in the northern districts to mild conditions closer to the Makran coast. Summers are hot and dry. The arid zones of Chaghi and Kharan districts are extremely hot in summer. The plain areas are also very hot in summer with temperatures rising as high as 120 degrees F (50 degrees C). Winters are mild on the plains with the temperature, never falling below the freezing point. The desert climate is characterized by hot and very arid conditions. Occasionally strong windstorms make these areas very inhospitable.

Administrative division

There are 26 districts in Balochistan.

Awaran Barkhan Bolan Chagai Dera Bugti Gwadar Jafarabad Jhal Magsi Kalat Kharan Kohlu Khuzdar Qilla Abdullah

Qilla Saifullah Lasbela Loralai Mastung Musakhel Nasirabad Panjgur Pishin Quetta Sibi Turbat or Kech Zhob Ziarat

Economy

The economy of the province is largely based upon the production of natural gas, coal and minerals. The province's natural resources significantly help to meet the energy needs ofPakistan as a whole. Infrastructure outside of Quetta is still in development as is the province as a whole. Limited farming in the east as well as fishing along the Arabian Seacoastline are other forms of income and sustenance for the local populations.

Due to the tribal lifestyle of many Baluch and Brahui, animal husbandry is important as are trading bazaars found throughout the province.