BNM’s baseless accusations and twisted facts

By Ramen Baloch

Currently Baloch politics is going through extreme debate between different groups, organisations and schools of thought due to conflicting ideas, malpractices and mismanagement some people who claim to be part of liberation struggle yet want to promote their own agendas. The signs of these conflicts first appeared in late part of the last decade when different groups indulged in concealed actions to undermine the performance and effective operations of a Baloch organisation that initiated and leads the current struggle. These problems remained hidden from the eyes of Baloch public due to efforts of few wise and sincere activists who tried to solve these issues. But unfortunately instead of going towards a solution the leaders of different groups tried to exploit these issues for their petty benefits which include either maintaining their status quo or territorial control over a specific region of Balochistan.

However, verifying himself as a visionary future-oriented leader, Mr. Hyrbyair Marri performed the true role of a revolutionary leader. He proved to be the only leader who prioritized principles and national policies over family relations. In initial phase he tried to inform the Baloch nation of problems and differences that existed between different Baloch leaders, groups and organisations through a news statement. Due to traditional traits of romanticism for Baloch struggle and leaders, many political activists were not happy with Mr. Marri’s statement.

This was followed with a silent period when the issues again remained underground barring few articles in newspapers. The issues eventually reached a deadlock and Hyrbyair Marri had to take a very bold and exemplary step to expose corruption of his own brother Mehran aka Zamran Marri because his (Zamran’s) mismanagement and wrong policies gave birth to several disappointing events in Baloch freedom movement.  But the positive step taken by Hyrbyair to date remains an act that has never happened in Baloch political history. For the betterment of Baloch struggle and for setting an example towards adherence to a principle stand, Mr. Marri ignored his own family relations. This bold decision came at a hefty price because Mehran apart from corruption has also misguided late Nawab Khair Baksh Marri which resulted in formation of a splinter group called UBA. However, Hyrbyair Marri remained steadfast and consistent.

The on-going debate and criticism is one of the pivotal periods in current Baloch struggle. Today different Baloch groups claiming to struggle for Baloch freedom are at extreme odds. Newspapers, social-media and blogs are filled with debate and the claimants of mass parties in frustration are making one mistake after other. Supporters of BNM and Dr Allah Nazar Baloch are trying hard to dilute the debate with verbal abuses, accusations and worst kind of smear campaigns. A recent statement by chairman of a faction of BNM, Khalil Baloch, seems a continuity of above designs.

Khalil Baloch has accused Hyrbyair Marri of collaborating with a multinational firm called Tethiyan Copper Company (TCC), a joint venture of a Canadian and a Chilean company, that is trying to gain contracts for exploration of copper and gold in Balochistan. The company faces issues due to a decision by Pakistani Supreme Court and has not been able to start exploration. The accusations against Hyrbyair Marri are totally baseless and do not even hold a slight particle of truth. If Hyrbyair Marri had to resort to earning benefits with these kinds of tactics then collaborating with Pakistan was a much easier task.

But is it even possible for Hyrbyair Marri to collaborate with TCC? Why would TCC waste its time and resources in entering into an agreement with Mr. Marri when it has options of bribing Pakistani politicians and most importantly the corrupt Pakistani military that hold the authority? Moreover, these organisations go through strict statutory audits and it is not really easy for them to enter into extra-legal agreements. Even a common man can easily understand that Khalil Baloch’s motives are just to undermine Hyrbyair Marri’s struggle.

Khalil Baloch accuses Hyrbyair Marri of being a tool of these companies for many years. However, amusingly it is an open truth that BNM tried very hard in past to convince Hyrbyair Marri to join their party. Apparently, on behalf of BNM, the chairman of BSO-Azad Zahid Baloch sent many messages to Hyrbyair Marri to join BNM. It seems the smear campaign against Hyrbyair Marri is the result of his disagreement to join BNM. The question also arises why leaders of BNM wanted someone to join their organisation who, as they claim, is a tool of multinational corporations that are exploiting Baloch resources.

It is also beyond comprehension why BNM and their allied groups and organisations, very rarely mention the biggest exploiter of Baloch resources the communist state of China but go berserk against western corporations. There seems a hidden link that needs to be explored to answer the above question. BNM’s open support for communist and socialist ideas might contain the answer.