The SouthAsian spoke with Hasil Bizenjo, a leader of the Balochistan Nationalist Movement, on the situation in Balochistan, the events leading to the murder of Nawab Bugti by the Pakistani government and the lack of international solidarity.

Some of the recording is seriously digitized making it difficult to hear – hence summaries have been provided.

Hasil Bizenjo gives a brief introduction of the status of Balochistan in Pakistan. He argues that like Burma, Kalat State had a Treaty relationship directly with the British Crown and was to be an independent state – but the Pakistani military occupied it. It was never part of India from which Pakistan was created and hence Pakistan had no reason to occupy that region. The Mir and the rulers of Baochistan then took to the mountains.

During the interview he also pointed out that the Balochis have been very hurt by the action of the Pakistani government - that they believe in it less and less. Political processes that had been evolving through various coalitions will also be hurt by this action. Already, Balochi political leaders feel quite marginalized and those that are supported by the center hardly live or interact with the Balochi communities - residing in Islamabad, for most part.

Bizenjo describes the state of common people in Balochistan – describing the fear and oppression in which they live in the presence of the Pakistani Army. He talks about over 10,000 youth who have been missing in the last couple of years, without any cases filed against them. Basic rights of citizenship have been inaccessible to Balochis. Describing the situation in Balochistan, Bizenjo points out that the Indian government (the southasian does not support state violence in Kashmir) has not trained F-16 and helicopter gun ships on its own people.

Bizenjo also expressed disappointment at the obliviousness of the international community to the state of people in Balochistan. International agencies, human right groups, governments of USA or UK – for all their chatter about the end to terrorism or human rights violations – can at best cluck in sympathy as people are destroyed.