زندہ لاکھ کا،تو مرا ؟

اگر آپ اپنے گردو نواح  کا جائزہ لیں توآپ کو بہت سی ایسی مخلوقات اپنے اردگرد  چلتی پھرتی دیکھائی دیں گی جو بظاہر تو اپنے آپ کو انسانی حقوق کے کارکن (ہیومن رائیٹ ایکٹوسٹ)کہتی نظر آئیں گی مگرحقیقت میں ان کا انسانی حقوق سے دور دور تک کوئی لینا دینا نہیں ہو گا۔  یقین کریں، اگر ان سے متعلق آپ ایک سے دو دن بھی  ہلکا پھلکا سا مطالعہ کر لیں  گے تو ان کی متعصب اور یکطرفہ سوچ سے اچھی طرح سے واقف ہو جائیں گے۔ باقی سب کو تو چھوڑ ہی  دیجئے، مجھ سے خود بھی ان کو سننے کی غلطی سرزد ہوئی تھی  اسی لیے  میں یہ سوچ سوچ کر  حیران ہوں کہ لوگ آخر  ان پر یقین کر کیسے لیتے ہیں؟

تو 9 اپریل 2015 بروز جمعرات  شام 6 بج کر 30 منٹ پر  پاکستان کی معروف نجی  یونیورسٹی " لمز " کے شعبہ سیاسیات نے ایک سیمینار منعقد کرنا تھاجو شروع ہونے سے پہلے ہی حکومت کی جانب سے یونیورسٹی کو منسوخ کرنے کاحکم جاری کر دیا گیا تھا، جس پر سیمینار  منعقد کرانے والوں نے سوشل میڈیا پر فوراً  ہی پاکستان کی ایجنسیز کے خلاف ایک منظم مہم کا آغاز کر دیا۔ایسے معلوم ہو رہا تھا جیسے وہ پہلے سے ہی شور شرابے کے لیے تیار بیٹھے ہوئے تھے، دیکھنے والوں نے یہ بھی دیکھا کہ کچھ حضرات ٹویٹر پر یہ کہتے نظر آئے  کہ اس سیمینار کو "ڈی- جی -آئی- ایس -آئی" کے براہ راست حکم سے منسوخ کرایا گیا ہے۔

اس بات کے چند گھنٹوں کے اندر ہی بہت سے حقائق سامنے آنا شروع ہو گئے جن  میں سے چیدہ چیدہ یہ ہیں۔۔۔ سیمینار کو منعقد کرنے والے  ڈاکٹر تیمور رحمان تھے، مہمانوں میں 2 اور اہم ناموں کا بھی ذکر کرنا ضروری ہے ، ایک ماما قدیر اور دوسرا  'میر محمد علی تال پور۔  تھوڑی سی ہی تحقیق کرنے پر کچھ حیرت انگیز انکشافات سامنے آئے، میر محمد علی تال پوردراصل  اسد رحمان  جو کہ تیمور رحمان کے سگے چچا ہیں کے قریبی ساتھیوں میں سے ایک ہیں۔۔اگر ان کے ماضی کا جائزہ لیا جائے تو بہت سے سوالات کے جواب ایسے ہولناک آئیں گے کہ کسی  بھی محب وطن پاکستانی کے لیے لمحہ فکریہ بن سکتے ہیں۔  میر محمد علی تال پور اور اسد رحمان  آج سے 4 دہائی پہلے سویت اور بھارتی خفیہ ایجنسیز کے ساتھ مل کر پاکستان کے خلاف افغانستان میں بیٹھ کر سازشیں رچاتے رہے ہیں(سویت انٹیلیجنس سروس  نے "بی-ایس-او " کو پاکستان کے خلاف استعمال کرنے کے لیے افغانستان میں تیار کروایا تھا)۔

لمز یونیورسٹی ان حضرات کی حرکتوں سے باخوبی واقف ہو گئی اس لیےسیمینار کا تو سوال ہی پیدا نہیں ہونا تھا، لہذا انہوں نے ایک نیا ہدف تلاش کیا۔ وہ نیا ہدف کراچی کی ایک خاتون "سبین محمود"تھی جو غریبوں کے لیئے اپنے دل میں  بہت درد رکھتی تھی۔ سیمینار منعقد کروانے کے لیے سبین کے سامنے یقیناً وہی رونے روئے گے جو ماما قدیر ہر جگہ روتا پھرتا تھا۔ سبین محمود نےماما قدیر پر ترس کھا کر  ان لوگوں کے لیے سیمینار منعقد کروا دیا۔ مگر ستم ظریفی دیکھیں کہ جس عورت کو انہوں نے مدد کے بہانے ورغلایا، اسی کی پیٹھ میں اپنے مفادات کے لیےبعد ازاں چھرا بھی گھونپ ڈالا۔ چونکہ سیمینار سے کسی قسم کا فائدہ ان لوگوں کو نہیں پہنچا اور کوئی میڈیا کورئج بھی حاصل نہیں ہوئی تو سیمینار کے فوراً بعد سبین کو گھر جاتے ہوئے رستے میں ہی گولیا ں مار کر قتل کر دیا گیا،بلکل ایسے ہی جیسے بلوچستان میں بی-آر-اے اور بی-ایل-اے کے وہ دہشت گرد غریب بلوچ عوام کا قتل کرتے تھے جن کے لیے ماما قدیر اور ان کا بیٹا کام کرتے تھے۔

 تیمور رحمان جس لابی میں ہے  اور جس سیاسی ایجنڈے پر کام کر رہا ہے اس پر مجھے اب کوئی شک نہیں رہا، اور ماما قدیر کی حقیقت تو بہت پہلے ہی سامنے آگئی تھی۔اتنا کچھ ہو گیا  مگر نہ تو جلیل ریکی کے باپ   ماما قدیر کو کچھ ہوا اور نہ ہی اسد رحمان کے بھتیجےتیمور لال  کو کچھ ہوا۔ مگر نقصان ہوا کس کا؟؟ وہ جو ان کی باتوں میں آگئی تھی؟

میرا ماننا ہے کہ چونکہ ان لوگوں  کے ماضی سے متعلق عام لوگ نا واقف ہیں لہذا وہ ان لوگوں کی الٹی سیدہی باتوں میں  بھی جلدی آ جاتے ہیں۔ کراچی میں ہونے والا سبین محمود کا قتل  کیس اس کی سب سے بڑی مثال ہے۔ سبین محمود کے ذریعے پہلے سیمینار منعقد کرایا  گیا تاکہ لمز کی طرزکا ایک اور "سین کیریٹ" کیا جا سکے۔ مگر ایسا نہ ہوسکا اور نہ ہی کسی نے اس معمولی سے سیمینار کو سنجیدگی سے لیا۔ پھرماما قدیر اور اس کے ساتھی کیسے سب کی توجہ حاصل کرتے؟ سبین کو قتل کروا  کے اگر الزام پھر سے حساس اداروں پر لگا دیا جائے تو ظاہری سی بات ہےجیسے نا معلوم افراد والا ڈنکنا بجا تھا ویسے ہی اس "سٹنٹ" کے ذریعے ماما قدیر کی ڈوبتی ہوئی ساک دوبارہ سے بحال کی جا سکتی تھی۔ سبین کی مثال ان لوگوں کے لیے اُس ہاتھی کی سی تھی جو اگر زندہ لاکھ کا ہوتا ہے تو مرنے کے بعد سوا لاکھ کا ہو جاتا ہے۔ ۔ افسوس کے ماما قدیر کی حقیقت سےچونکہ عام عوام نا واقف ہیں لہذا ہمیں سبین جیسی خاتون کی جان سے اسکی قیمت ادا کرنی پڑی۔۔

میری درخواست ہے کہ ماما قدیر اور دہشت گردوں کے باقی ماندہ تمام ترجمانوں اور حمایتیوں کے ساتھ ریاست سختی سے نبٹے، حکومت چھوٹے بچوں کی طرح آرمی کی انگلی تھام کر جیسے پاؤں پاؤں چل رہی ہے اس سے تو لگتا ہے کہ جیسے ہم نے حکمرانوں کو ووٹ نہیں دیا بلکہ دودھ پیتا بچہ گود لے لیا ہے جسکی حفاظت بھی ہمارے پیش پڑ گئی ہے۔

Reality Of Relief Efforts In Balochistan

Awaran is a district of Balochistan that was hit by 7.7 magnitude earthquake on 24^th of September, 2013. The aftershocks were even scarier for the population that was affected by earthquake; reports say that 125,000 out of 3000,000 inhabitants of the district suffered because of this natural catastrophe. Those who don’t know much about this area will be amazed to know that Awaran is one of the most underdeveloped districts of Balochistan. According to Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority’s (ERRA) estimates, this disaster took 375 lives, left more than 825 injured and twenty five thousand houses completely destroyed. Right after the disaster, as always, Army was deployed for the relief efforts immediately. According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), One thousand Army personnel from Quetta and Khuzdar reached the affected areas and began relief work within few hours. Army units from Karachi also rushed to the affected areas for timely provision of medical aid. Dozens of people were trapped under the rubble of their collapsed houses; yet important to highlight that because of immediate rescue operation many lives were saved.

Pakistan Army, along with FC (Frontier Corps), promptly acted as asked by the government. Army, FC and PAF operated in a closely coordinated “Relief &Rescue” joint operation.  PAF C-130, dropped huge amount of relief goods, a sigh of relief to affected inhabitants. It is true that the FC components located in the area were also struck due to this high scale earthquake but even though they were the first ones to respond to the situation with a full sense of responsibility without any hesitation. Even before the collection points were established in, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Karachi and Islamabad; they distributed their own rations that was around 500 tons; they distribute tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, bed sheets, blankets, clean cloths, cooking utensils, bathroom items, medicines, and other commodities of most common use. Around 2,500 Army personnel and 1,000 FC personnel were part of the relief efforts, these relief efforts continued even during the Eid days including a unit of Army lady officers was also deployed to help earthquake victims. By the end of the Eid holidays, 24 relief sorties of C-130 and 240 helicopter sorties had flown, completing over 526 flying hours. a field hospital in Awaran and six mobile medical camps at far-flung localities were also established by the Army. Where more than 8,000 local patients were been treated, besides that  7,000 tons of food items were delivered and 37,000 tents were distributed by the Army besides thousands of school books, stationery items along with sports gear.

Sadly, the relief efforts were been politicized and its reason was “militarized”. The militants and their collaborators along with the help of hostile neighbor countries and agencies violently started opposing the relief activities by the Army and FC. Whether it was a war of words, or a war of weapons, without any distinction they sabotage the relief efforts. The militants repeatedly attacked Pakistan security forces personnel during relief work. According to reports, during first twenty attacks, six security forces personnel embraced martyrdom and leave more than one dozen seriously injured. They were heavily equipped with foreign funded weapons and sadly are still actively working against Pakistan army. The relief work was badly affected by these militants yet army is still working hard to maintain the law and order situation along with relief work. The noble acts and activities are continuously opposed and relief work was not only attacked by rockets and machine guns but also Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by the militants. I appreciate the efforts of Pakistan Army but I also believe that it has become VERY necessary for Law Enforcement agencies and security forces to deal with these militants ruthlessly in order to maintain law and order situation so that they ‘dare’ not disturb the relief efforts or any other development projects. Remember, Prosperous Balochistan is the key of successful Pakistan!

Raising Whose Voice?

International Intrigues anti Pakistan elements are incessantly conspiring against the province of Balochistan and making it spotlight of wicked schemes and mischievous designs. Hostile elements are keeping efforts to keep the province underdeveloped by promoting acrimonious sense of dissent, political volatility, sectarian violence, deteriorating law and order situation and arousing sentiments of separatism. Geopolitical location of Balochistan also makes it significant for world powers. The Big Game is on, and with the signing of agreement between China & Pakistan on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), world powers will make their all out efforts to destabilize Pakistan. The missing person hue and cry is one of the chapters of the book written by foreign players, which is getting in lime light faster than ever. Lets analyze the basics of this “Missing Person Drama”.

Chief of the inquiry commission on ‘missing persons’ Justice (Retired) Javed Iqbal said that baseless propaganda was being done pertaining to the number of missing persons in the country, reported in Dawn News in the middle of 2012. It was also reported that foreign intelligence agencies were involved in the issue, not only to malign the repute of law enforcement agencies but to create an environment of chaos in the country. This was basically done to make an impression that no place in Pakistan is safe, even the ‘Places of worship’. Highlighting the issue of missing persons was also part of the game to gain countless advantages for their GREATER game plan.

It is said that the missing persons is a generic term used in Pakistan to refer to the alleged ostensibly hundreds of persons, and the blame was put on our own Law Enforcement Agencies. It is still a question whether the people were actually been “forcefully disappeared” or there was something fishy going on in the back burner by anti-state elements? Whatever the case was, one thing is certain, enemy made the most benefit out of this…

Now the question arises, who were the missing persons? Were they really innocent or were they the people who challenge the writ of government by planting bombs in fully crowded public places, are involved in extortion, target killing and kidnappings; from where do these so-called ‘innocent’ people get not only heavy explosives but also use these explosives to kill people viciously. This horrific bloodshed has spread a MASSIVE wave of terror in Pakistan which lasted for more than a decade and caused a massacre of innocent people, continuing to this day; the people who otherwise, had NEVER even seen the bullet of a rifle in their entire life.

After years of hard work and efforts, when things begin to settle down in an organized manner, suddenly a loud slogan hits the ears; this time it’s not a creepy looking suicide attacker holding highly sophisticated million dollar weapon in his hands killing civilians like a butcher BUT a goon with his head covered with a heavy white turban, holding picture of one of the goons of very same group that was involved in killing thousands of innocent Pakistanis and claiming openly in a video (available all over on internet) that he is part of the organization that is fully supported by foreign intelligence agencies, including “RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), Mossad (Israeli Intelligence Service) and NDS (National Directorate of Security)”. The goon guy is known as Mama Qadeer and the guy in picture is his son Jalil Reki who was killed in one of the battles between Baloch Republic Party and Baloch Peace Keeping Army, but Mama Qadeer proclaims that his son was killed by the law-enforcing agencies.

Recently news was published in a well-known newspaper where Mama Qadeer says “21,000 missing in Balochistan”; God knows from where and how Mama Qadeer has compiled the list of these missing persons and from where can I get this list to verify about those missing persons. The title given to his statement was “Raising his voice” raising WHOSE voice and against WHOM? Father of a terrorist? A terrorist who was killed during the exchange of fire between a group of a terrorist organization BRA (Baloch Republic Army) and Baloch Peace Keeping Forces? Meaning terrorists vs Pakistan? I guess there is no need to discuss this case further…

But hold on a second, if the compiled list of missing persons is correct then another question arises; where are all these missing persons? After all, the agencies can’t just simply gulp 21,000 people, now can they? On the other hand, how come Mama Qadeer is so sure about the statistics of these missing persons? Things get more dramatic when I start studying the case in detail.

Jalil Reki (Son of Mama Qadir) used to recruit children by force and trained them to install bombs (many got killed during the training). He also used to smuggle people to militant training camps in India and Afghanistan and once training was completed, he took them back to Pakistan through Pak - Afghan border. During this smuggling, his group was intercepted by Baloch Peace Keeping Forces and during exchange of fire Jalil Reki was killed.
This is the information you will get only if you want to see the other side of the picture, the picture other than what the media is continuously feeding into your minds. No one from law enforcement agencies will come and knock your door and explain to you that what they are doing is for your own good.

Before summing up this debate I would like to say only one thing that “People need to know this. They are militants. People sit in their homes comfortably, use media – social media, electronic media, but they need to know the truth. The truth that mainstream media is not showing you”. I will advise the stooges of our print media to have some grey matter, before publishing such baseless articles. It really reflects the level of their investigative journalism which seems to be at its lowest ebb at the moment.

Khuzdar, The City Of Opportunities

It was Friday the 13th of March 2015, when in the evening after having a tiring but amazing day in university with friends, I begin chatting with my cousin in Karachi. While sitting in my peaceful living room,I was telling her about various educational programs being offered by Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology in Khuzdar. In the middle of conversation, she showed me a piece of writing, written by someone I had never heard before. Whatever was written in that article was hard to believe for a person like me, who actually belonged to Khuzdar. I began a little investigation and came across many things. I even contacted few journalists and tried to figure out things, the more I studied, the more my curiosity increased. After completing my research, I have so many things to share with all those who believe in the crap written.

            Before I come to the actual point, I would like to ask you to imagine the height of anger and frustration if you plan something for fifteen years and then that hard work goes wasted? Due to my quest as a student, I acquired some information and came to know about Operation Blue Tulsi, which was exposed by Pakistani media in 2009. Since then its planners are fuming with anger and frustration as it broke the back bone of their greater plan. A plan that is even greater then it smells to an average mind like yours and mine,as it is spread from North Waziristan to FATA, Karachi to Lahore and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa to Balochistan. 90 out of 100 attempts of defaming the security forces and establishment got miserably failed; frustration turned into never ending revenge with sand slipping out of their dirty hands with failed cards to play around.

            When all on ground attempts of creating chaos begun to fail and rate of success stayed constantly below 2 to 3 percent only, one thing could help the enemy and that was “PROPAGANDA”. Just to make you understand the power of propaganda, I would like to quote an example here, the example of “Jakob the Liar”. A poor but clever Jewish shopkeeper, who was caught out in curfew during World War II and sent to Nazi concentration camp in Poland, where Hitler used to torture and kill Jews. Jakob begin to cook imaginary stories regarding a radio hidden in his cell and news bulletins about Allied advances against the Nazis. Jakob told prisoners that they should remain hopeful as the army of Hitler is facing savage beating in the battlefield. These lies brought humor and life among the disheartened ghetto inhabitants. Later, when prison officials discovered about Jakob’s stories and his radio news bulletins, a search operation was conducted that revealed that there was no radio found in his cell. The propaganda of Jakob succeeded, even after he was caught and killed by Germans. His propaganda did the job that no one could do at that time. The Jews still consider Jakob as a hero and believe that the Germans were liars.

            The reason why I quoted this example is to tell my readers that the same method has been applied in Pakistan since decades, where even after getting failed time, our enemy is not going on back-foot, and the reason is that the enemies within our ranks are playing the key role for their foreign masters intentionally or unintentionally. Stories of lies and deceptions are everywhere on the name of freedom of speech or journalism or whatever you may name it. They will tell you stories but will never come up with proof or even the identity of their sources is dubious. On one hand they openly accuse security forces and on the other hands claim that identity of sources cannot be disclosed due to life threats. They can tell you that they were kidnapped by security forces but then they escaped after few months. Did captors show them their identities after kidnapping? Is it possible that someone who kidnaps you, tells you that he is working for someone whom you are against and actually he (the kidnapper himself) is also against that group or specific person? Why the enemies kill your relatives instead of killing you directly? How come you are still alive? This is because they want you to defame the establishment otherwise your loved ones would have to pay the price with their blood.

            It is obvious that the writer has written the story from the angle of Baloch separatists by maligning the establishment and the people who are siding with the state. There must be some kind of real investigative journalism to find out the truth about him. Who knows that this report might be a complete fabrication of his mind because anyone can fabricate stories like these claiming to have come from anonymous sources? According to my research even if his kidnapping story is true, It’s a known fact that different groups of kidnappers who work under the orders of foreign masters tell their hostages that they are in custody of state agencies, to make them believe that state is responsible for all these atrocities. There is no way to know if he was kidnapped by Mengal or someone opposed to Mengal to malign him. Similarly, there is no way to know if the people killed were killed by one group or the other to malign each other.

            At the end of the day, the benefits of this title “Khuzdar, the city of padlocks” seems to remove all the checkpoints of law enforcement agencies, so that the foreign elements involved in terrorism do not have to face much trouble in transporting weapons into these areas? I do not consider the writer to be a true journalist, rather an novice one, who has left so many question unanswered even after writing lengthy paragraphs.

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۔

Old Currency Coins Of Kalat State

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!

Balochistan - The Ground Realities!

A lot of has been said about the situation in Balochistan by the so-called "Pakistani media", most of which are complete lies. If you really want to understand about what's happening in Pakistan, TURN OFF YOUR TV!

Turn Off The News Channels

These instruments of misinformation have confused the common Pakistani to such an extent, that we can't even think for ourselves anymore. News channels always force opinions onto us, instead of giving us the facts. Shouldn't it be up to us? Who is Hamid Mir to tell us what we should think? What credibility does he even have? The media in Pakistan has crossed all boundaries imaginable - the term "journalism ethics" is absent in the vocabulary of most in our media. If you really want to know what's happening in Pakistan, here's a few things you can do:

a) GO THERE AND FIND OUT! If you have never been to Balochistan in your life, who the are you to discuss it? If you have never met a Baloch in your life, who are you to discuss their rights? 

b) READ! Newspapers, blogs, whatever - when you read about an event it's always a thousand times better than having some idiot like Hamid Mir brainwash you with lies. When you read about a situation or event, it's much easier to differentiate between facts and bias. You can easily go research online about that event or situation in particular, instead of listening to con artists on TV.

This irresponsible behaviour from the Pakistani media has led us to the situation we are in today. These so called journalists sit in there comfortable Islamabad or Karachi studios and are told what to say. I bet most of them have never stepped foot outside these cities! If so, who are they to discuss national issues? Pakistani media as lost all its credibility and shouldn't be taken seriously at all. If you want to find out what's happening in Balochistan, get up, go online, research and FIND OUT YOURSELF! Whatever conclusion you come to at the end, at least YOU made that decision yourself! 

Balochistan - The Reality & What The Media Refuses To Tell You!

Balochistan isn't going anywhere - the common Baloch is like any other Pakistani. He or she is sick and tired of corruption in the Federal and Provincial governments and wants more autonomy. Wanting more autonomy should not be confused with situations in Indian Occupied Kashmir or Indian Occupied Assam where the people are rebelling against the Indian Government and want to form a separate nation. The situation in Balochistan is no different than in any other province in Pakistan - everyone is fed up with this government! So what makes Balochistan so different then? There has been a deliberate information war started by the likes of SAFMA (South Asian Free Media Association) in Pakistan to create this hue and cry about Pakistan breaking up. Nothing could be farther from the truth...stay firm and stay united - this country is not going anywhere! If this country wanted to break up, it would have done so a VERY long time ago.

Baluchistan forms:

- 42% of Pakistan's total area

- 04% of Pakistan's total population (roughly 8 million)

Out of these 8 million, 5 million are Pashtuns, Brahwis, Makranis, Punjabis and Sindhis who have no desire whatsoever to separate from Pakistan. Within the Baloch population, a massive majority are in favour of Pakistan and are proud nationalists. The "separatists" are just a few thousand misguided men from only 4 districts out of the 30 districts of the province. These include the likes of Hyberyar Marri and Brahmadagh Bugti who are being aided from the United States to wage a war against Pakistan. The reality is, even within the Bugti and Marri tribe, there are thousands of youth who are great patriots of Pakistan and understand the sick game which is being played. 

Nawab Akbar Bugti

Nawab Akbar Bugti exiled his own Raheja, Kalpar and Messori sub-tribes into Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan for 15 years. During that period, he took over the lands of Sui and Dera Bugti. He persecuted his own Baloch people and killed his own family members for demanding rights. Hospitals, schools and roads were commonly destroyed by this man - a man who himself had an Oxford education. This is where Army intervened in 2004 to protect the Bugti Tribe from the crimes of Akbar Bugti and helped the Kalpar, Messori and Raheja Bugtis return to their native lands. Upon this, Akbar Bugti began to wage war against Pakistan where he was then chased into the surrounding hills and committed suicide. Yes, Akbar Bugti committed suicide and was NOT killed by the Army. 

Mir Ahmadan Bugti

Today, the Dera Bugti MNA is Mir Ahmadan Bugti, a patriotic Raheja Baloch. He was the first cousin of Akbar Bugti, who was exiled with over a 100,000 Baloch by Akbar Bugti. The Army brought him back and has been elected MNA by the entire Bugti tribe. He defends Pakistan against the terrorists of Brahmadagh Bugti, who are funded by the United States. You commonly hear the interviews of Brahmadagh Bugti in this SAFMA controlled media but you never hear the voice of Mir Ahmadan Bugti. Why is that have you ever wondered? This is how media manipulates the truth. Go and ask Mir Ahmadan Bugti about the truth of Bugtis being against Pakistan and he will tell you quite a different story - most Baloch stand by Pakistan, but they DO not support this government at all. 

Army vs Media

Had the Pakistan Army not attacked the TTP & BLA terrorists (same people with different uniforms) the country would have been completely destroyed by now. This is why you see all this fake propaganda against the "missing persons" and Army atrocities against the Baloch. In reality, the FC and Pakistan Army are defending Pakistan against CIA backed insurgencies. The media wants to continually brainwash you into hating the military, so when the real time comes to support the Army, none of you will. This is how psychological warfare works!

BLA vs BRA

There is a massive infighting between the BRA (Balochistan Republican Army) and BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army). Both groups regularly kill each other for weapons, money and lands. Many times it's one or the other who kill each other and they both at the end blame the Army. Many have gone to Afghanistan for CIA training and their families register them as missing persons - this is how the media manipulates and twists the truth. This is all part of the war against the Pakistan Army.

What Do The Americans Want? 

The Americans essentially want to create a post on the Gulf to tackle not only Afghanistan, but China, Pakistan and Iran as well. The recent resolution in the US Congress has encouraged exiled separatists to encourage the CIA for a Libyan style invasion, but that won't happen as long Pakistan has NATO by it's testicles. The US do not have the resources, weapons or courage in making a landing at Gwadar or at any point along the Makran coastline. 

What Do The Balochis Want? 

The Baloch are not happy - there is no question or doubt in anyone's mind that they have been the most unfairly treated people in Pakistan. The CIA did not create all these problems, we did - the CIA has now only been recently exploiting the situation. The Balochis want there fair share - there lands are amongst Pakistan's most richest in terms of oil, gas and minerals yet the Baloch people do not get any royalties for it. Today, Balochistan should be amongst all other provinces in developmental indicators but it's not. Why? There are many reasons - the first has been our corrupt and horrible governments which have ignored Balochistan for decades. Quite literally there are still parts of the Balochstan with NO gas - this is quite sad because most if not all of the gas in Pakistan comes from Balochistan! There is no question that Central government needs to take the complaints of the Baloch people seriously. It's quite obvious they are upset, and the longer you ignore there cries for help, the more serious this issue will become! The second has been how the Sardar's have prevented any development from occurring in the province - for them any sign of education is a threat to there power. The longer the average Baloch is uneducated, the more powerful the Sardar gets as he can manipulate and control the common people. Once again, the Government failed in stopping these people - all of the problems in Balochistan (and the rest of Pakistan for that matter) arise from corruption - the more corrupt leaders we elect and support, the more we destroy our own country.

Balochistan is not East Pakistan

This common perception fueled by the media that the situation in Baluchistan is like East Pakistan - wrong. East Pakistan may have left Pakistan, but in reality Bhutto did not want it anymore. It was not in the interest of West Pakistan to hold a wing thousands of kilometers away, surrounded by an enemy with 45% of it's landmass at or below sea level. East Pakistan was quite frankly a disaster waiting to happen. Balochistan is within Pakistan - it's not surrounded by an enemy and it's quite clear the people of Balochistan are upset at this government, and not Pakistan. One could argue the same thing for East Pakistan - in fact, many prior to 1971 were calling for East Pakistan to become an autonomous state within Pakistan. It would legally be still apart of Pakistan, but would control it's own affairs like language, health, education while Pakistan would provide military and diplomatic support. Also many Baloch are in power throughout Pakistan today, from the Governor to Chief Minister to Ministers, all are Baloch in the government. The President of Pakistan is also a Baluch. Farooq Leghari was a Baluch also. Mazari was the Prime Minister and was a Baluch also. Jamali was the PM and was a Baluch also. Baluchi Pakistanis from Baluchistan have reached the highest offices of this country. If Baluchistan has not seen received developments, it's because of those people like Akbar Bugti who refuse to allow the common Baloch to rise. It's not the fault of the Army or the ISI that development is not occurring - when terrorists from the BLA destroy schools, hospitals and kidnap construction workers, how do you expect any development to occur? The whole country is suffering today, not just Baluchistan. 

How To Resolve The Issue --- VOTE!

The resolution is simple - THIS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GO. As long as these American stooges are in power, nothing will change. Regardless of what part of the country you are in, there is one common consensus - THIS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GO NOW! You can do this very easily, by voting in the next election. The situation in Balochistan needs to be looked at thoroughly and fairly. Yes the Baloch people have been unfairly represented and treated over the years - many of the resources in Balochistan are unfairly distributed within the country and a serious resolution should be made so the people of Balochistan benefit from the development, instead of corrupt politicians. This situation is no different than in any other province today.

Stop believing the garbage the media is feeding you - they are mouthpieces of the United States! Turn off that garbage and if you ever want to know the reality of any situation, GO THERE YOURSELF and find out. Stop letting the media tell you how you should think! 

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.