'India is not helping the Baloch freedom struggle'

August 04, 2009 17:28 IST

Tags: Jundullah, Pakistan, Balochistan, India, Dr Wahid Baloch

Dr Wahid Baloch is President of the Baloch Society of North America and is

considered close to many senior leaders in Pakistan and Iran. He is a medical
professional living in Florida [ Images ]. He spoke to Nagesh Bhushan on the
recent Indo-Pak joint statement in Egypt [ Images ] and what it means for the
Baloch fight for freedom.

Question : The recent Indo-Pak joint statement in Egypt raised considerable ruckus
in India for including restive province of Pakistan, Balochistan. Do you think
that Baloch issue is internationalised by this?

Depends on what you mean by internationalised? If you think internationalising

means people around the world came to know about what is going on inside
Balochistan, then yes, but if you mean recognition of Baloch struggle for freedom
by United Nations or world leaders, then no. At this point, neither the UN nor the
world leaders have recognised Balochistan as an illegally occupied land which the
Baloch people are demanding.

Question :In Pakistan some groups questioned not including Kashmir [ Images ] in
the joint statement. Why do you think Kashmir was excluded?

The Kashmir issue is created by Pakistan. There is no Kashmir issue. Unlike

Balochistan, which is an occupied land, Kashmir was and is an integral part of
India. Kashmiri separatist religious movements only exists and is based in
Pakistani occupied Kashmir, where the Inter Services Intelligence and military men
train Kashmiri terrorists and send them to India to kill innocent people.

Question :Is India aiding the Baloch struggle?

No, not yet. We have not seen any help coming from India or any other country so
for, but we ask all the nations including India to help us and support our just
cause for freedom.

In the past Pakistan made similar allegations that they had proof of Indian
involvement in the Baloch region but didn't produce any evidence. Why do you think
Pakistan included Balochistan in joint statement now?

Pakistan is trying to divert the attention of Indian government and world

community from its involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks [ Images ] and other
Taliban [ Images ] sponsored activities. They also want to use this 'threats in
Balochistan' and 'Indian involvement' as a pretext to pave the way to intensify
their ongoing military operation in Balochistan and to justify their inhuman
barbaric actions against the Baloch people.

Question :If not India then who is arming the Baloch militants?

Nobody is arming the Baloch people. These are baseless allegations of Pakistan to
use as pretext to continue their aggression against the defenseless Baloch people.

Arms are available in open market, in fact everywhere in Pakistan. If you have the
money, you can buy a tank, even in Islamabad [ Images ], Lahore [ Images ] or in
Karachi. Corrupt Pakistani military men will bring it to you at your doorstep. You
don't have to go get it. They will sell you anything for money.
Question :Is there any rationale in Pakistan's allegations about India arming
Baloch militant groups while seriously engaging in negotiation with Iran and
Pakistan on the gas pipeline?

Pakistan's creation was the biggest blunder of history, it is an artificial

country. How can you expect an irrational Pakistan to talk and act with some sense
of rationale?

As for as the gas pipeline is concerned, the Baloch people cannot guarantee its
safe passage through Balochistan, because the final beneficiary of this pipeline
is the Pakistani military and the Iranian regime -- not the people of Balochistan.
We are in the midst of our freedom struggle against Pakistan, therefore it is
advisable for India to exercise caution before investing in this project.

Question :Do you support the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline?

I will support anything that benefits the Baloch people and Balochistan. But as I
said we cannot guarantee safe passage now. We do not support Pakistan to continue
loot and plunder our resources and treat us as one of their colonies.

Question :The Iranian Baloch group Jundullah uses religion to fight against the
Shia state. Pakistani-based groups are considered secular and never use religion
in their struggle against Pakistan. Do you support acts of Jundullah?

No. Jundullah is a terrorist organisation. I strongly denounce Jundullah and its

activities. Jundullah is being funded by Pakistani ISI to counter the secular
nationalist Baloch movement. Jundullah must stop its radical activities which are
detrimental to the Baloch cause. Jundullah must be replaced by a Baloch
nationalist secular movement in Iranian-occupied Balochistan.

Nagesh Bhushan

Source: REDIFF.COm
http://news.rediff.com/interview/2009/aug/04/inter-india-is-not-helping-the-
baloch-freedom-struggle.htm