53 Punjabis were killed on Monday in separate incidents in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The separatist Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for these incidents. These incidents have once again exposed the conflict in Pakistan. Pakistan may be fighting with India over Kashmir, but there is a conflict situation in its own Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Baloch provinces. In Balochistan, this conflict is at the level of armed rebellion and militants often target Punjabis who have more importance in Pakistan’s army, police and power establishments.
The question is why the Baloch are thirsty for the blood of Pakistani Punjabis. There are some current reasons for this, while its answer is also hidden in history. This history is linked to the breach of promise by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who partitioned India and created Pakistan. Actually, during India’s independence, the areas under British control were considered part of India or Pakistan. After this, it was the turn of those areas which were ruled by a king or nawab. These areas had the option to join India or Pakistan if they wanted. Not only this, they were also given the option of self-determination i.e. autonomy.
After 15 August 1947, four regions of Balochistan, Kalat, Kharan, Lasbela and Makran remained independent for 227 days. These people were not ready to go with Pakistan. India’s border was far away. Especially the Khan of Kalat was in favor of implementing the agreement of 1876, under which they got autonomy. In the agreement with the British, it was decided that matters of foreign policy and communication would remain with the British government and everything else would be handled by the local rulers. But circumstances had changed. Under Jinnah’s pressure, three other parts of Balochistan, Kharan, Lasbela and Makran, decided to go to Pakistan.
Nevertheless, the ruler of Kalat, Khan Mir Ahmed Yar Khan, remained adamant. Jinnah was also ready for this in the initial days. Even on Jinnah’s insistence, Kalat was declared independent on 5 August 1947 after a meeting in Delhi. Jinnah also suggested the merger of Kharan and Las Bela with Kalat. In this way, Balochistan came into existence. On 11 August, an agreement was also signed between Kalat and the Muslim League, in which it was agreed that Kalat would remain independent. Even on 15 August, the flag of the local government was hoisted and the Khutba was read in the name of the ruler of Kalat.
First he made a promise and then Jinnah changed his mind
But Jinnah changed his mind after some time. Under the pressure of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the British government told the rulers of Kalat in September 1947 that they were not capable enough to deal with international affairs as a country. But the rulers of Kalat did not agree. Even when the Khan of Kalat reached Pakistan in October, the Balochs welcomed him like a king. But the intentions of the Pakistan government had changed. No official came to receive him. When Jinnah’s pressure increased again, the Khan of Kalat said that there are many tribes in Balochistan and a decision should be taken only after consulting them.
How Jinnah attacked treacherously with the help of the British
Even on Jinnah’s proposal, the Khan of Kalat called a meeting in Balochistan. But the proposal to go with Pakistan was rejected. But Mohammad Ali Jinnah was very clever and he had made up his mind to cheat. He talked to the British government and stopped the supply of arms to Kalat. Now the Khan asked for help from the Baloch Sardars, but except for two, the rest refused. Meanwhile, Jinnah declared Kharan, Las Bela and Makran independent. Now only Kalat was left, which was attacked. In this way, on March 26, 1948, Pakistan occupied Kalat. But even today a large section of Baloch considers Pakistan’s control illegal and is fighting an armed struggle. They consider Punjabis to be a dominant community, due to which they often target them.