Nawab Akbar Shahnawaz Khan Bugti, commonly known as Akbar Bugti was one of the most influential men in the history of Pakistan. He was the Tumandar (head) of the Bugti Tribe of Baloch peoples and also served as the Minister of state for interior and Governor of Baluchistan. Despite all his scandals and controversial policies around Baluchistan, Bugti was regarded as an epitome of a model Baloch character for some while an oppressive dictator for others.

26 August 2006 was the day when Akbar Khan Bugti was assassinated during a military raid in Kohlu.

The death of Akbar Khan Bugti did not only raised violent protests but it also rocked the politics of Pakistan. Many Baloch separatist parties came into being, defying themselves as the citizens of Pakistan.

Bugti militants, which was created by Akbar Khan Bugti in 1952 to fight for political rights soon regrouped with other Baloch tribes as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which to date is responsible for thousands of killings in Pakistan.

The popular narrative in Pakistan is that Bugti’s death was the biggest mistake of the Musharraf Government which ignited a fire of separatism in Balochs, but is this completely true? Maybe it was a mistake but Was Akbar Khan Bugti not a separatist since 2004 on-wards? Was his behavior justified as a citizen? Was he a hero or a villain in reality? Let’s find out.

Scandalous Life of Akbar Khan Bugti:

Twirling his long mustaches, Akbar Khan Bugti’s life spent in ruling Bugti Tribe with complete pretention and grandioseness. He is popular for dominating and governing the whole region of Baluchistan in his own way. Carrying thousands of well-armed guards, rocket launchers and other prohibited weapon, Bugti was not running a state, but a kingdom of his own. During the Bugti Era, allegedly no plane was allowed to fly over Baluchistan unless having permission from Akbar Bugti.

In 2005, the eight rockets were fired on Frontier Constabulary in Kohlu while President Musharraf was addressing the rally in the same area. The rockets, however, did not cause any casualties but the very next day, a senior officer of the Frontier Corps got injured while reconnoitering the region Kohlu when the local tribesmen opened fire on his helicopter. It was the same year when Bugti presented 15-point agenda to the Pakistan Government in which he demanded to put an embargo on the construction of the Military Basis.

Another incident happened in March 2006, when a bus carrying wedding guests hit an anti-tank mine in Dera Bugti. The massive blast resulted in the death of 28 peoples including women and children. Most of the victims belonged to the ‘Masoori Bugti Tribe’, the second largest Bugti tribe which had revolted against Akbar Bugti rule. Later, Akber Bugti claimed responsibility for the attack. Good citizen, Eh?

A hardcore lover of Genghis Khan and Nietzsche, Akbar Khan Bugti was unfortunately nothing less of them. A man taking pride in confessing his first murder at the young age of 13, can you feel his? The ‘Brave’ Baloch who is actually like a HERO for many wasn’t even a Human in the first place. He killed people, attacked, attacked army personnel, threatened the state, and formed another state within was an open challenge to the government and authorities but the government kept its mouth zipped. 

Why The Idea Of State Within State Is Being Accepted?

The answer is Fear. The government is afraid to take any actions against this terrorism because they are scared to face another Bangladesh Episode. They are scared that launching operations against Baloch militants are going to repeat history and make us lose another part. By the way Do you ‘really’ have that PART? My question is what country in this world tolerates a state within a state kind of situation? Iran launched a much lethal operation on Baloch militants, Turks do the same with PKK, but no Bangladesh happened there. India, China, Philippines, Russia name one country who tolerated state within state scenario or the activities of separatist militants, but why aren’t they facing Bangladesh like scenarios in their country? Then why only in Pakistan we have that self-loathing narrative? Isn’t it the right thing to do away with this Bangladesh hangover and accept the fact that Pakistan is strong, united and armed enough to protect its integrity while attacking those trying to destroy it?

If Musharraf was condemned and blamed for being a dictator and violating the constitution then under what clauses of constitution Akbar Bugti was carrying all the attacks, keeping illegal war weapons and threatening the country and still was a “Hero”?   

Does Akbar Bugti represent the Baloch or the Bugti Tribe for that matter? Was he the ‘Thekedar” of his tribe? 

If yes then why did he admittedly crushed Kalpar and Masoori Bugti tribes, who are the largest tribes of the Bugtis, and forced them to leave their homeland? Why the so-called Baloch rights champions never speak about it? Or the whole condemnation is limited Army who is allegedly killing Baloch?

Thousands of Kalpars were subjected to violence and murder by direct orders of Bugti, and this is all under the directions of Late Akbar Bugti but this would not be crossed the eyes of those Baloch who consider him as “Lord”

Now there are basically two types of people who favor Akber Bugti in Pakistan. One who hates Pakistan and one who loves Pakistan, both favor the Akbar Bugti’s narrative – Those who hate Pakistan, got just a reason to hate it more after Bugti’s murder, otherwise, it was the same Bugti who in 1973-77 launched a military operation against Marri and Mengal separatists and crushed the rebellion originating from Afghanistan, but since he later died fighting the country himself – they found another tool to use against the country to create pro-separatist sentiments.

Now, what about those who favor Pakistan? Why do they favor him? it’s because they are victims of self-loathing narrative – according to them, Akbar Bugti voted in favor of Pakistan during a plebiscite in Baluchistan, which is factually true – but do they realize that your loyalty isn’t limited to your vote for the merger – does that act give Akbar Bugti the right to carry out anti-national activities as mentioned above?

Was Akbar Bugti a pious saint?

Many of his propagators believe so – many DHA living, English-speaking, latte-liberals, and cocktail-leftists who shout their lungs out for human-rights and support this man, care to explain their position on Akbar Bugti’s statement that he first murdered a man when he was just 13 years old? and when he said “what is better than seeing your enemies driven before you and then taking their women to bed”?.. Did he ever deny that statement? He always stood by it – so how honorable thing is that?

Conclusion: State has all the right to exercise its power against those openly wedging war against its unity and no, no Bangladesh-71-fear shall stop it from doing its duty..