Nawas Akbar Bugti

Yesterday, one of the oldest surviving politicians of Pakistan died at the hands of violence: a path he himself had chosen and perpetuated on his people for a long time.

Looking for positives, he voted for Pakistan in 1947, remained a minister of defense and interior and stood by the establishment during the insurgency of Balochistan in the 70s. Despite being a Baloch Sardar and despot within the Bugti establishment, he always supported politics of democracy at the federal level. He was a paradox, but which politician in Pakistan is not? In fact, he was more transparent than any one of them.

Some of his biggest achievements were creation of Pakistan, acquisition of Gawadar from Oman and support for Pakistan against the secessionist and sub nationalist elements in Balochistan. His foibles were the accumulation of Bugti royalties in his own hands, elimination of the main Bugti tribe led by Hamdan Bugti and forcing them into exile. His mortal sin was to time and again challenge the establishment. His act of going down fighting in words of Nadeem Qasmi can be summed up as: -

“Doobtay Wagt mere haath merey parcham they”

He was a man abhorred by the establishment and was a misfit in their concept of patriotism; but so were Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Jalib, Mian Iftikhar and Bhutto.

He was well educated and self educated himself to the core. He could talk on any subject be it history, archeology, economics or nuclear. He was also a close friend of the US diplomats in Pakistan and was visited by them regularly. He was a very good cricket player who even when his late 70s could play a late cut and a hook short with ease. True to his name, he never wore a helmet. He was the Patron of the local cricket club and could have proved to be one of the most effective chiefs of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

I saw him at close hand while exploring the caves in Bugti Agency for Cro Mognon man paintings and old pottery. I saw his Jirga, dispensation of justice and uncompromising stature.

He had lots of respect for minorities and Hindus in his area were the most secure.

His violent death leaves a gapping hole in the federation of Pakistan. These are testing times and I am at a loss to suggest how the effects of such big tragedy would be undone. I can only pray that the damage is not irreparable.