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When Khan of Kalat Mir Suleman Dawood Khan convened the Baluch tribal jirga in Kalat in August 2006, he expressed a wish to hear voices other than his own. Please click to play excerpts from these interviews.
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Balochistan Legal Fund launched. The Baloch Society of North America (BSO-NA) and HH Khan of Kalat have launched the Balochistan Legal Fund and are appealing to Baloch worldwide and friends of the Baloch for contributions to help bring the Baloch case against Pakistan to the International Court of Justice. A team of international lawyers has been retained and all preliminary ground work completed. For more information and to help fund this effort click here.

Balochistan Assembly votes to protect historic Hindu temple and fragile eco-system of Hingol National Park: Balochistan Assembly rejects Hingol dam, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, Jun 29, 2008: "...According to movers of the resolution, historic Hindu temple ‘Hinglaj Mata' would submerge in the proposed dam's reservoir. They said the dam would also destroy the already fragile eco-system of the Hingol National Park. Dr Narain said hundred of thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world visited the ancient temple in April every year. “With the construction of the dam all roads leading to the temple would be blocked,” he told the assembly..."





Reuters photo New: Gold exploration project to transform Balochistan: PM, DailyTimes.com.pk: The PM said this while talking to a delegation headed by Jean Paul Luksic, Chairman Antofagasta, a Chilean joint venture company, which called on him here...He [the PM] "asked" the delegation to ensure that maximum jobs are given to the people of Balochistan and arrangements are made for imparting requisite skills training to them so that they can avail job opportunities...

theBaluch.com Comment: "Asking" a global mining company to ensure jobs is akin to asking a fox to guard a henhouse. Job and environmental safety guarantees must be written into any contracts. Barrick Gold, a joint parter with Antofasta of Chile in this venture, does NOT have a good environmental safety record. One hopes that the Baloch people of Chaghi will have an opportunity to do an environmental impact assessment prior to the signing of any contracts. Mining operations often not only require vast amounts of water, a commodity Balochistan can ill-afford to lose, but mining operations often result in major environmental damage--often making local drinking water unusable.

For details on Barrick Gold's (partner in this joint venture with Antofagasta of Chile) environmental track record in other communities, visit: http://protestbarrick.net/:
"The network of communities impacted by Barrick Gold are calling on all investors to divest their shares and no longer support a transnational corporation that perpetrates gross violations of human rights, such as alleged killings, rapes, poisoned waters, poisoned rivers, poisoned soil, and forced migration..."

Noordin Mengal at United Nations
New: Homeland insecurity: As Noordin Mengal's experience shows, the US is now adding human rights defenders to its list of unwanted aliens, by Peter Tatchell, The Guardian, Jul 2, 2008: "... In another bizarre twist to Washington's often illegal, irrational "war on terror", peaceful, lawful human rights campaigners are now apparently being refused entry to the US – without any right of appeal... The US government's clumsy, ignorant victimisation of another innocent person – Mengal isn't the first and he won't be the last – helps explain why so many people hate America. This is a nation that professes a love of liberty yet often acts like a tin-pot tyranny..."

New: Noordin Mengal refused entry to the US, BBC News Urdu, Jul 2, 2008

Baluchistan human rights activist and British citizen Noordin Mengal has been denied entry to the US and was detained without access to a lawyer or the British consulate.

(see full press release issued by the Balochistan National Party)

New: Petition to stop military aid to Pakistan: "Once we have the 100,000 signatures we will contact the offices of the UN Secretary General, NATO, U.S. State Department, the European Union, Canada, Russia, and other key players in the world to stop military aid to Pakistan for its crimes against humanity in Occupied Baluchistan..." (report at balochunity.org)

Online petitions: Click to sign online petitions for release of Baloch political activists.

Asma Jahangir on BBC HardTalk, Asma Jahangir is the head of the Pakistan Human Rights Commission, Feb 6, 2008

From before: Interview with Ahmed Rashid by Munizae Jahangir from her documentary 'The Baloch Battlefield.'

Video:
HDNet Dan Rather Reports: doc. on Balochistan, by Willem Marx, narrated by Dan Rather, Oct 2007

For other Baloch news, audio, video, and related sites: click here

From Baloch Vanguards Production: Baloch Profiles
New: US has the authority to hit Al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan, says Mullen, Dawn.com, Jul 3, 2008
New: Preparing the Battlefield, by Seymour Hersh, The New Yorker, July 7, 2008
Balochistan Assembly votes to protect historic Hindu temple and fragile eco-system of Hingol National Park: Balochistan Assembly rejects Hingol dam, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, Jun 29, 2008
Thinkers want full autonomy for Sindh, Dawn.com, Jun 29, 2008
Press Release, Jun 28, 2008: WASHINGTON DC: A Baluch journalist and founder of the American Friends of Baluchistan, whose family had known the Advanis in Karachi prior to partition, has urged former Indian deputy prime minister Sree L.K. Advani to stop the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline until such time the Baluch get their right to self determination. (see full release)
Taliban threaten major Pakistani city, by Jane Perlez and Pir Zubair Shah, IHT, Jun 28, 2008
Balochistan Assembly wants details of foreign mining contracts, by Malik Siraj Akbar, DailyTimes.com.pk, Jun 27, 2008
Balochistan govt offers Rs 21m for information on murders, by Malik Siraj Akbar, Dailytimes.com.pk: "The Balochistan government is clueless as to the murders of 32 people, including 18 personnel of the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and the police who have been target-killed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in 21 violent incidents in the past four months..."
Press Release: A.Q. Khan's threat to ground Tel Aviv condemned, WASHINGTON DC, Jun 27, 2008: Two U.S.-based Baluch organizations have jointly condemnded a statement of the founder of Islamic bomb and nuclear terrorist, A.Q. Khan.
Taleban 'siege' of Peshawar threatens Pakistan's grip, by Zahid Hussain, Times Online, Jun 26, 2008
Pakistan placed among dysfunctional states, Dawn.com, Jun 25, 2008
Leadership Void Seen in Pakistan, Carlotta Gall, New York Times, Jun 24, 2008
A prophetic voice on Taliban calls out again, by Jane Perlez, International Herald Tribune, Jun 20, 2008
Balochistan 2008-09 budget: Body formed to help Balochistan present budget, by ZAHEER ABBASI, Business Recorder, Jun 18, 2008
Centre coughs up Rs3bn after Balochistan agony, Dawn.com, June 18, 2008; Balochistan may seek independence without autonomy, says Jamali, Jun 18, 2008, DailyTimes.com.pk
16 top security guards were captured by Baloch fighters, by Reza Hossein Borr, June 17, 2008
Flood of lawyers, political activists pummels capital, by Nasir Iqbal, Syed Irfan Raza, Munawer Azeem, Muddassir Raja and Sher Baz Khan, Dawn.com, Jun 14, 2008
Militants kidnap 28 Iranian border guards, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, Jun 14, 2008
Rehabilitating Pakistan's Nuke Man?, Jun 3, 2008; from before: The Merchant of Menace, by BILL POWELL; TIM MCGIRK, Time.com, Feb 5, 2006
Militants kidnap 28 Iranian border guards, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, Jun 14, 2008
Pakistan Lawyers in Huge Protest March, by Pir Zubair Shah and Carlotta Gall, New York Times, Jun 11, 2008
The Baloch and the state: conflict of perceptions, by Alizeh Haider, Jun 10, 2008 reposted at balochunity.org, original at jang
Mengal receives rousing welcome, by Amanullah Kasi, Dawn.com, Jun 10, 2008
Mengal calls for scrapping international agreements, by Amanullah Kasi, Dawn.com, Jun 9, 2008
PPP package will deepen judicial crisis: HRCP, by Issam Ahmed, Dawn.com, Jun 8, 2008
Balochistan lawyers to join march in Sukkur, Dawn.com, Jun 8, 2008
Mengal wants military operation halted, Dawn.com, Jun 8, 2008
Senate stunned as Sanaullah announces resignation, by Ahmed Hassan, Dawn.com, Jun 7, 2008: "...The upper house was stunned on Friday when Balochistan National Party (Mengal) Senator Sanaullah Baloch suddenly announced his resignation from the house in accordance with what he called his party's policy.
Govt must seek UN help for displaced people: HRCP, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, Jun 7, 2008
Don't turn Balochistan into Bangladesh, by Mohammad Malick, TheNews.com.pk, Jun 7, 2008
Govt apologises for military operations in Balochistan, by Irfan Ghauri, DailyTimes.com.pk, Jun 7, 2008
Give up your arms Lyari, urges Mengal, By Amar Guriro, DailyTimes.com.pk, Jun 2, 2008
Redeployment of FC under study in Balochistan, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, Jun 2, 2008
Financing education and beyond, by Dr Shahid Siddiqui, Dawn.com, Jun 2, 2008
Mengal sets terms for reconciliation talks, Aaj TV Online - Pakistan Ki Awaz, Jun 1, 2008
Bramdagh refuses to hold talks with govt, Dawn.com, May 31, 2008
BLA kills six youths playing cricket in Quetta, by Malik Siraj Akbar, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 31, 2008: "...Separately, talking to reporters after visiting the injured boys, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani said he would quit if his government remained unable to resolve the situation in the province. He claimed the BLA was not responsible and he would bring the real culprits to justice..."
Six youths shot dead in Quetta, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 31, 2008

Nawabzada Brahamdag Bugti
Bugti's grandson says armed struggle only solution for Baloch, by Malik Siraj Akbar, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 31, 2008: Brahamdag Bugti says govt has failed to improve law and order: "...The only way to rid the Baloch of the injustices being perpetrated against them by the military is by joining the armed struggle against the government, guerrilla commander Nawabzada Brahamdag Bugti said on Friday..." (original article)

Aaj TV Nawab Bugti interview: Host: Talat Hussain Guest: Brahmdagh Bugti on Phone from an unknown location, May 2, 2008
From Diaries of a Concerned Pakistani: Baluchistan, as I saw it!
HRCP demands release of Baloch human rights activists, Dailytimes.com.pk, May 30, 2008
Fierce clashes in Dera Bugti, Kohlu, by Salim Shahid, Dawn.com, May 29, 2008;

Victims of clashes: Graphic photos of civilians reportedly slain by the Pakistani army in PatFeeder area near Sui.
Baloch organizations are inviting journalists and human rights activists to these areas to investigate reports.
1,100 Baloch still missing: Akhtar Mengal, KhaleejTimes.com, May 29, 2008: "...Baloch nationalist leader Akhtar Mengal has said that 1,100 people belonging to various regions of Balochistan are still missing and no one knew about their whereabouts except intelligence agencies..."
Nationalists observe 'black day' in Balochistan, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 29, 2008
May 28 Rally: Baloch Rally Against Islamic Nukes, by Amar Mustikhan, WASHINGTON DC: Peace activists from occupied Baluchistan will join hands with their counterparts across the world to mark the 10th anniversary of Pakistan testing its deadly Islamic Bomb in occupied Baluchistan on May 28. The protests will be held in Washington, DC; Toronto, Canada; Oslo, Norwayand Stockholm, Sweden, besides cities within Pakistan.
JWP (Bramdagh) renamed as BRP, Dawn.com, May 26, 2008: "...Militant leader Nawabzada Bramdagh Bugti would be chief organiser of the BRP...According to the statement, the BRP would be struggling for restoration of the Baloch state to protect the coast and resources of the Baloch land..."
Bodies formed to resolve tribal feuds in Balochistan, Dawn.com, May 26, 2008
Pakistan may hand over Jundullah men to Iran, by Khalid Hasan, DailytTimes.com.pk, May 25, 2008
Bugti's grandson Shahzain freed, by Amanullah Kasi, Dawn.com, May 24, 2008; I was inquired about links with RAW, says Zain Bugti, balochunity.org, May 24, 2008; (from before on Nawab Bugti's assassination: Nawab Bugti's Assassination: Future Portents, Strategic Analysis, Sep 2006
Bugti rejects talks offer, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 19, 2008 (BBC Urdu interview)
Raisani stresses ceasefire from both sides, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 20, 2008
CNG: a rare commodity in Balochistan, Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 20, 2008
Balochistan Assembly demands CPA membership, by Malik Siraj Akbar, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 17, 2008
Balochistan Assembly demands CPA membership, by Malik Siraj Akbar, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 17, 2008
Flour crisis worsens in Balochistan, Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 17, 2008
Gwadar project to enslave Balochs, May 17, The Post, 2008: "... Baloch Nationalist leader Sardar Attaullah Khan Mengal said for development in the country we need to become owners of our national resources instead of privatisation..."
Rockets fired at factory, Dawn.com, May 17, 2008
Embezzlement probe in Balochistan, by Amanullah Kasi, Dawn.com, May 16, 2008
Balochistan Assembly demands CPA membership, by Malik Siraj Akbar, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 17, 2008
Balochistan bar assails PPP stance on judiciary, by Amanullah Kasi, May 14, 2008
BLA warns people to quit security forces, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 14, 2008
U.S. presidential hopefuls asked to talk to Baluch leaders, May 13, 2008
Constable gunned down in Quetta attack, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 14, 2008
Revealed: torture centre linked to MI5, by Ian Cobain, The Guardian, May 12, 2008
Political Foe of Musharraf Is Released in Pakistan, by Salman Masood, NYTimes.com, May 10, 2008: "...Western officials also feared that military and paramilitary forces were being diverted to Baluchistan instead of being used to fight the buildup of militants from the Taliban and Al Qaeda elsewhere in the tribal areas of the North-West Frontier Province..."
Balochistan to join talks on IPI gas pipeline, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 12, 2008: "...Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had assured the province that it would be represented in every meeting of the IPI gas project as one of the stakeholders..."
US intensifies its control over Pakistan's new civilian government, by Waseem Shehzad, Media Monitors, May 11, 2008
Four killed, more than 80 arrested in Sui search operation, balochunity.org, May 11, 1008
Two killed, 50 arrested in Sui search operation, by Azizullah Khan, ThePost.com.pk, May 10, 2008: "... Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfikar Magsi and Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raeesani were briefed by the military high-ups regarding the Balochistan operation. The government has not yet stated any thing about the operation..."
Four killed in military operation in Dera Bugti, Dawn.com, May 10, 2008; Two militants killed, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 10, 2008
Cop gets bail in Rashid Rauf case, Dailytimes.com.pk, May 7, 2008
Mengal release likely within 24 hours
DailyTimes.com.pk, May 9, 2008
US trains Pakistani killing machine, by Syed Saleem Shahzad, atimes.com, May 8, 2008
Iran's wild east is on the boil, by Amir Taheri, Special to Gulf News, May 7, 2008
2 cops among 4 killed in Quetta, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 8, 2008
Brahamdagh's JWP sets tough terms for talks, Dawn.com, May 6, 2008: "...He denied reports about withdrawal of security forces from Dera Bugti and Nawab Bugti’s home..."
Committee set up to trace missing people: Awan, Dawn.com, May 5, 2008
PAF plan to take over land causes furore in Balochistan, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 4, 2008: Pakistan Air Force is seeking possession of 70,000 acres of land along the Coastal Highway in the Lasbela district of Balochistan for establishing its new weapons testing and firing range...Officials said the previous Balochistan government had allotted the land to the defence ministry at a throwaway price of Rs600 an acre.
FC troops withdrawing from Gwadar, Quetta, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 5, 2008; KARACHI: Balochistan operation still on, says NP, by Latif Baloch, Dawn.com, May 4, 2008
Explosions rock Quetta, Dawn.com, May 4, 2008
PM: military operation in Balochistan stopped by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, May 3, 2008
VIEW: How to succeed and fail in FATA, by Ahmed Rashid, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 2, 2008
BHC acquits Akhtar Mengal, Habib Jalib in treason cases, Associated Press of Pakistan, May 2, 2008
Balochistan: still waiting, May 1, 2008
Delegation tasked to start groundwork for Balochistan all parties conference, by Ahmed Hassan, dawn.com, May 1, 2008
Pakistan's Planned Accord With Militants Alarms U.S., by Eric Schmitt and Mark Mazzetti, Apr 30, 2008, NYTimes.com
Al Qaeda’s HQ in tribal areas, claims Europol, by Arshad Sharif, Dawn.com, Apr 29, 2008: A damning report by the European Police Office puts Pakistan in the spotlight, pointing an accusing finger at the tribal areas as the “command and control centre” for Al Qaeda's “remaining core leadership” planning attacks in the EU...; read full report
Pakistan's financial aid to Taliban, Apr 29, 2008, BBC Urdu, Summary in English
Way cleared for gas pipeline accord: Foreign ministers to decide signing date, by Baqir Sajjad Syed, Dawn.com, Apr 29, 2008
Baloch leader urges halt to ‘vindictive' activities, by Latif Baloch, Dawn.com, Apr 28, 2008: interview with Baloch Rabita Ittefaq Tehrik chief Prince Mohyuddin Baloch
From Dawn and DailyTimes: Editorial: How can TAPI and IPI save Pakistan?, balochunity.org, reprinted from dailytimes.com.pk, Apr 26, 2008; Security risks to gas pipelines, by Afshan Subohi, Dawn.com, Apr 21, 2008
Gas pipeline blown up in Sui, by Daily Times Monitor, Dailytimes.com.pk, Apr 25, 2008: The Baloch Republican Army (BRA), a banned militant outfit, has claimed responsibility for the incident...Militants in Balochistan often blow up the gas pipeline and electricity poles to press the government for their demands – from seeking royalties for the region's gas supply to getting share in government jobs.
Editorial: The fate of APC on Balochistan, DailyTimes.com.pk, Apr 24, 2008
Mengal wondering about remaining Karachi case, Balochunity.org, Apr 23, 2004
Top varsity official gunned down in Quetta, by Saleem Shahid, dawn.com, Apr 22, 2008
Mengal wondering about remaining Karachi case, Balochunity.org, Apr 23, 2004
Balochistan peace drive to include all political forces, DailyTimes.com.pk, Apr 24, 2008
Let them eat mud: No end in sight to the rebellion, The Economist, Apr 17, 2008
Kin of the missing knock at another door for redress: Delegation sees Nawaz, by Amjad Mahmood Dawn.com, Feb 3, 2008
Speakers demand committee to sort out issue of missing persons, by Ahsan Mansoor, Pakistan-Tehreek-Insaf.com, Apr 18, 2008
Baloch will not allow IPI gas pipeline project, balochunity.org (original article), Apr 12, 2008
Arrest of Mengal, political workers | Balochistan grinds to a halt, by Azizullah Khan, The Post, Apr 12, 2008
April 11, 2008: Sources report Faiz Muhammad Baloch has been granted bail in London and is to be released next week. No further details available yet. Herbiyar Marri had been granted conditional bail.
BLA rejects govt's offer for talks, Dawn.com, Apr 10, 2008

Aslam Raisani: a profile, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn.com, Apr 10, 2008
Mountain fighters not terrorists, says Raisani, by Amanullah Kasi, Dawn.com, Apr 10, 2008
Assembly seeks probe into BB, Bugti killings: Call for ending military operation in Balochistan, Dawn, Apr 8, 2008: After taking oath on Monday, members of the Balochistan assembly unanimously demanded that the federal government should approach the United Nations to investigate the killings of Benazir Bhutto, Nawab Akbar Bugti and Nawabzada Balaach Marri...
Dialogue process in Balochistan initiated: Magsi: Govt should announce ceasefire: Raisani, by Saleem Shahid, Dawn, Apr 7, 2008
Three FC men among eight killed in clash, by Saleem Shahid, dawn.com, Apr 6, 2008; 8 die in shootout between militants, security forces, DailyTimes, Apr 6, 2008.

(Sources variously report the operation was launched against Jundallah, a group of militants headed by Abdul Malik Reki from Iran, smugglers, or Baloch freedom fighters.)

Apr 6, 2008 in Balochistan: Balochistan: Five FC men killed 9 other seriously injured, balochunity.org
BNP protests ‘political victimisation’, balochunity.org, Apr 4, 2008
Talks will be held with all Baloch groups: Dawn.com, Apr 3, 2008: Nawab Raisani said he had been assured by PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari that the federal government would fully cooperate with the PPP-led coalition government in Balochistan in releasing political activists and ending the military operation.
Nominated candidate for Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani arrives at Liaquat National Hospital to inquire about the health of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Mar 30, 2008, Online Photo by Hussain Jan; Raisani meets Mengals in bid to win support, by Jan Khaskheli, The International News, Apr 1, 2008
Balochistan PA session sought by April 1, by Saleem Shahid, dawn.com, Mar 29, 2008
Call to end operation in Balochistan, dawn.com, Mar 31, 2008: The Balochistan Action Committee (UK) and the World Sindhi Congress held a two-hour protest rally in front of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's official residence 10 Downing Street against what they claimed to be the “forcible and illegal annexation of Balochistan.”...
Mar 28, 2008 in Balochistan: Quetta railway track blown up, AAJ News; Head constable shot dead, dawn.com, Mar 28, 2008, Gas pipeline blown up, dawn.com; Two IB men trailing Al Qaeda shot dead, dawn.com
Baloch Foreign Policy, by Khan Jan Baloch, balochunity.org, Mar 27, 2008
Pakistan on UK rights watch-list, dawn.com, Mar 26, 2008
72pc people in rural Balochistan without sanitation: minister, by Saleem Shahid, dawn.com, Mar 26, 2008
Call to release Mengal, other nationalist leaders, dawn.com, Mar 26, 2008
Cool Reception for Envoys in Pakistan, by Salman Masood, NY Times, Mar 26, 2008:
Mr. Nawaz Sharif tells American diplomats, “...that situation has changed now. There is no more one-man show. Parliament has come into being, and the Parliament will decide all policies. No individual today can give a commitment on anything.”
Footloose: From Gedrosia to Makran, (the territory of modern Balochistan) by Salman Rashid, dailytimes.com.pk, Mar 20, 2008;
Gedrosia of Past Times, Today´s Tyrannized Baluchistan, by Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis; Land of Magic, by Aftab Ahmed Baloch, balochunity.org, Mar, 2008
Raisani set to be elected unopposed, by Malik Siraj Akbar, DailyTimes.com.pk, Mar 23, 2008; Raisani vows to stop operation in Balochistan, Dawn.com, Feb 28, 2008
Parliament urged to stop operation in Balochistan, dawn.com, Mar 20, 2008
photo: www.elachee.org
Baluchitherium: The Beast of Balochistan: World's largest mammal that ever walked the face of the earth used to live in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
Demand for treatment of Akhtar Mengal abroad, dawn.com, Mar 17, 2008
Blast hits Islamabad restaurant, Al Jazeera, Mar 15, 2008
US report takes up issue of the missing, by Anwar Iqbal, dawn.com, Mar 13, 2008: the State Department concluded: “Politically motivated disappearances occurred during the year. Police and security forces held prisoners incommunicado and refused to provide information on their whereabouts.” The official US document acknowledged that while some disappearances were associated with terrorism and national security cases, “many missing individuals were Sindhi and Baloch nationalists.”; full report here
The new 'Baloch National Front', by Archen Baloch, intellibriefs.com, Mar 12, 2008
Conditional bail for man accused of inciting terror abroad, Press Association, Mar 7, 2008: Hyrbyair Marri granted conditional bail, Faiz Baluch will remain in custody.
Two journalists kidnapped in Balochistan, a third missing since November, balochwarna.org, Mar 7, 2008
Six independent MPAs declare support for PPP, Dawn.com, Mar 5, 2008: Sardar Bizenjo: “Our support is unconditional and we believe that the PPP will fulfil the promises it has made about the recovery of the missing people, release of political leaders and ending military operation in the province"
Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani: “Our aim is to bring about a change and serve the people of this province who have been badly neglected in the past..."
Islamabad, L to R: Independent MPA Irfan Karim from Kalat joins PPP, with PPP Co-Chairman, Asif Ali Zardari and President PPP Balochistan, Nawab Lashkari Raisani, Feb 28, 2008
3rd journalist from same newspaper ‘disappears', DailyTimes.com.pk, Mar 4, 2008
Six Balochistan independents refuse to join any party, DailyTimes.com.pk, Mar 4, 2008
Boycott in Balochistan, by Sanaullah Baloch, thenews.jang.com.pk, Mar 1, 2008
Baloch leaders unimpressed by PPP apology, by Latif Baloch, dawn.com, Feb 27, 2008
Zardari, Nawaz agree to form coalition, Dawn.com, Feb 22, 2008
McCain's Holiday from History in Pakistan; Will any Old Military Dictator Do?; Lies about Obama, JuanCole.com, see Feb 20, 2008 blog entry
Don't sack Musharraf, US and UK warn election victors, The Independent, Feb 21, 2008
Pakistan celebrates final end to military rule, Times Online, Feb 19, 2008; Pakistanis Deal Severe Defeat to Musharraf in Election, by Carlotta Gall and Jane Perlez, Feb 19, 2008
Hearts and Minds on the Durand Line, balochwarna.org, Feb 18, 2008
Killing "Bubba" from the skies, by Mark Benjamin, Salon.com, Feb 15, 2008
Why The World Community Should Recognize an Independent Balochistan, by Khan Jan Baloch, Feb 14, 2008
 
Pakistan Kicked Me Out. Others Were Less Lucky., By Nicholas Schmidle, Washingtonpost.com, Feb 3, 2008: "The police came for me on a cold, rainy Tuesday night last month..." (reposted at intellibriefs.com)
>> more in news archive...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marching to a different tune, by Kamila Hyat, The News, jang.com.pk, Jun 26, 2008: "In Pakistan today, the province of Balochistan seems to be locked in such a world of media darkness. Certainly, what is happening within the vast province appears to be unknown to people elsewhere in the country – particularly if they live in Punjab..."
New book: Ahmed Rashid's 'Descent into Chaos': "Almost every single important extremist leader is living on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan," says Ahmed Rashid. Compared to this threat, Iraq is a sideshow. (full talk at Carnegie Council); book review by By Roger Gathman SPECIAL TO THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN, at amazon, at NPR: Rashid argues that U.S. efforts have only served to destabilize the region further; video address at Carnegie on Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan; on terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan
Special report on Balochistan, The News, jang.com.pk, Jun 15, 2008, editorials and interviews by Saeed ur Rehman, Babar Mirza, Nadeem Iqbal, Farah Zia
Pack of Pak lies, Baluch rejoinder to Haqqani interview: “...Baluchistan was annexed by Pakistan against the wishes of the Baluch people in March 1948 and a move is afoot to approach the International Court of Justice at the Hague,” Mustikhan said...“Right to self-rule to the people of Baluchistan and direct Afghan and U.S action against terrorist bases in Pakistan are the only long-term solution to the unending violence in Afghanistan..."
Afghan government has right to hot pursuit, says Mustikhan, Pajhwok Correspondent, Jun 18, 2008: "...A Washington-based Baluch organization has welcomed the statement of President Hamid Karzai that Afghanistan has the right to self defense and to send its troops across the border to destroy the terrorists living there..."
Balochistan conflict, by Shahid Hamid, balochunity.org, Jun 23, 2008 (orig: thenation.com.pk)
Full Interview with Nawab Marri, by Malik Siraj, June 14, 2008
"...Baloch are a big nation. We are fighting for Baloch national liberation. We want a Baloch state which is not dependent and subservient to any other nation. Within the Baloch, some people are fighting on the political front who believe that they can achieve their goals by participating in parliamentary politics but I subscribe to the other school of thought which talks of independence and supports the armed groups...."; and from DailyTimes.com.pk
Top Guns: Inside the Secret World of the Israeli Air Force, 60 Minutes, Jun 11, 2008
Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan, (pdf) by Seth G. Jones, Rand Corp., Jun, 2008. (Summary: US think tank: Pakistan helped Taliban insurgents)
Editorial: Time for solutions in Balochistan Crisis, DailyTimes.com.pk, Jun 10, 2008
Target killings bring BLA support into new focus, by Malik Siraj Akbar, DailyTimes.com.pk, Jun 6, 2008: "... According to sources, the BLA underwent a paradigm shift after the killing of Nawab Muhammad Akbar Khan Bugti on August 26, 2006. At that time, most BLA operations were confined to the rural areas of Balochistan. Meanwhile, the organisation reportedly put extra efforts into urbanising its operations. It is this reason that the BLA-factor, which once appeared to be mainly a rural phenomenon concerning the Marri and Bugti Tribal Areas, has now shifted to public places of Quetta..." (reposted)
Sana Baloch back but to quit Senate next week: Big blow to PPP's reconciliatory efforts in Balochistan, by Mohsin Babbar, ThePost.com.pk, May 29, 2008

Balochistan's Prisoner of Conscience, by Sanaullah Baloch, Dawn.com, Feb 14, 2008
Click here to sign online petition
Why will Islamabad not give us ownership of our land, coast, resources?', by Malik Siraj Akbar, balochunity.org, reposted from DailyTimes.com.pk, May 27, 2008

From before: Baloch nationalist parties not interested in APC, by Malik Siraj Akbar, DailyTimes, Apr 28, 2008; Pakistan VS Balochistan: Conflicting Ethnicities, by Malik Siraj Akbar, reposted from the first issue of "India and Global Affairs"

Proposal for forming Baluch National Congress:
The Baluch National Congress is to serve as a centre to facilitate the unity and prosperity of the Baloch nation. Visit to learn more and provide feedback: http://balochnationalcongress.blogspot.com/
Cultural liberty is about allowing people the freedom to choose their identities, by M. Sarjov, Balochunity.org, May 27, 2008
From the New York Times, 1947:

Related articles from the NY Times
A Seething Fury, by Kanchan Lakshman, balochunity.org (orig post), May 16, 2008
The Baloch- Islamabad conflict, by Sanaullah Baloch, The News, May 14, 2008 (reposted)
For more article and interviews by Baloch leader Sanaullah Baloch, visit his website.
US intensifies its control over Pakistan's new civilian government, by Waseem Shehzad, Media Monitors, May 11, 2008
Dr. Naseer Dashti, banned author
Analysis: Resolving the Baloch National Question: aspects of a negotiated settlement, by Dr. Naseer Dashti, May 6, 2005 (original post at regainingsovereignty.blogspot.com): "... it is a historical fact that every violent conflict ends up in a negotiated settlement. The failure of a negotiated resolution of the conflict can bring catastrophic results for both parties. Continued state intransigence and non-accommodation of genuine Baloch demands for cultural, economical and political rights will ultimately lead to the possible dissolution of the federation of Pakistan..."

IPI gas pipeline ‘infeasible' for now, balochunity.org, May 4, 2008
Plea to end harassment of Baloch journalist, Dawn.com, May 2, 2008;
RSF calls to stop harassment of freed Baloch journalist, by Khalid Hasan, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 2, 2008
"...Reporters Without Borders has called upon the government to take steps to end the harassment of Munir Mengal, one of the promoters of a proposed Balochi satellite TV channel, ‘Baloch Voice'..."
Analysis: On social inequality, by Rasul Bakhsh Rais, DailyTimes.com.pk, May 5, 2008
From Before : Crisis in Baluchistan: A Historical Analysis of the Baluch Nationalist Movement in Pakistan, by Justin S. Dunne, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey CA

From before: Balochistan, The Invisible War, Politics, natural resources and war in remote Pakistan, by Merrill Findlay
Baloch Nationalism and the Geopolitics of Energy Resources: The Changing Context of Separatism in Pakistan, by Dr. Robert J. Wirsing

The author examines the energy context of the simmering Baloch separatist insurgency that has surfaced in recent years in Pakistan's sprawling Balochistan province.

State of women in Balochistan, by Sanaullah Baloch, The News, Apr 17, 2008

Achieving consensus on NFC award, by Sanaullah Baloch, Dawn.com, Apr 17, 2008

Undoing the damage, by Sanaullah Baloch, dawn.com, Mar 31, 2008

The land of protests, by Sanaullah Baloch, Mar 25, 2008

For more article and interviews by Baloch leader Sanaullah Baloch, visit his website.

Pakistan: Another U.S.-Made Disaster, by Asad Ismi, CCPA Monitor, March 2008: "...Commentators in the Western mainstream media worry about what they call Islamic terrorists taking over Pakistan. The fact is that U.S.-backed terrorists have been running the country for decades. The Pakistan army has always been an instrument of U.S. terrorism, killing millions of people and ensuring that most Pakistanis remain mired in massive poverty and illiteracy. This has driven people in four different areas of the country to fight for their independence..."
(original article here; more by Asid Ismi
Editorial: Balochistan and a ‘new social contract', DailyTimes, editorial, Apr 8, 2008:
"The prospective unopposed chief minister of Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, seems to have upset a few anchors on TV channels when he hinted at a “new constitution” to placate Balochistan and bring it back from its insurrectionary ways...
Tribes and Rebels: The Players in the Balochistan Insurgency, by Muhammad Tahir, Jamestown Founddation, Volume 6, Issue 7 (April 3, 2008)
The displaced Baloch, by Shehar Bano Khan, Dawn Opinion, Apr 4, 2008;
radio report
from Karachi on the situation of Baloch refugees, appeal by Gwank.org


Jeay Sindh National Party activists demand release of nationalist leaders Akhtar Mengal and Dr Safdar Sarki, demonstrate outside press club in Islamabad, Mar 31, 2008, PPI

Sardar Akhtar Mengal
Pakistan's Nelson Mandela, by Peter Tatchell, The Guardian Comment, Mar 28, 2008



Balochistan's Prisoner of Conscience, by Sanaullah Baloch, Dawn.com, Feb 14, 2008
Click here to sign online petition

Lions for Lambs: Baloch Political Dissidents Victim of Diplomatic Bargaining, by Belaar Baloch, regainingsovereignty.blogspot.com, Mar 25, 2008
Dr. Naseer Dashti, the banned author of "In a Baloch Perspective" and "The Voice of Reason," speaks to Malik Siraj Akbar, Mar 26, 2008
Is a rollback possible?, by Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur, Dawn.com, Mar 24, 2008;
(original article); Abu Balach comments, Amjid Bojair comments

Munawar Laghari
Munawar Laghari in Geneva to promote Sindhi human rights, UNPO, Mar 7, 2008
Mr. Munawar Laghari met UNPO General Secretary Mr. Marino Busdachin, in an informal meeting alongside the UNHRC on Friday 7 March 2008. They discussed various issues relating to issues affecting the Sindh, the recent membership within UNPO of the Sindh, and Pakistan's arbitrary detention and torture of Dr. Safdar Sarki - a Sindhi human rights activist, who holds a US passport. click to read UNPO pdf


Noordin Mengal addresses UNHRC

New video: click to view on youtube.com: Address to UN Human Rights Council, Seventh session, 3 to 28 March 2008, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Mar 13, 2008: Baluch representative on behalf of Interfaith International; Issue: Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

Oppression of Ethnic and Religious Minorities in Iran: The Case of Baluch and Baluchistan (address to US Congress, Mar 13), by Dr. M. Hosseinbor, reposted from balochunity.org, Mar 16, 2008

New US State Dept. report on human rights situation in Balochistan, Mar 11, 2008


Nawabzada Gazain Marri
Interview with Nawabzada Gazain Marri, theBaluch.com, Mar 7, 2008
(Nawabzada Gazain Marri is a prominent Baloch politician and the son of famed Baloch leader Khair Baksh Marri. His brothers include slain Baloch leader Balach Marri, imprisoned human rights activist Hyrbiar Marri, and Mehran Baluch, the Baloch representative to the UN Human Rights Council.) read full interview

From before: Hyrbyar Marri reiterates stand on resources, by Irfan Saeed, reposted from balochvoice.com, Nov 25, 2000: "...the energy sources found in Marri area was the property of the people of Balochistan and the Government should hold talks to the representatives of all tribes if it desired to exploit these resources. In an i