Pakistan accuses US of meddling in Baluchistan

Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
29,797
Likes
48,276
Country flag
AFP: Pakistan accuses US of meddling in Baluchistan


ISLAMABAD — Islamabad on Monday accused Washington of meddling over the restive southwestern province of Baluchistan, threatening to worsen relations still struggling to recover from a series of crises.

The foreign ministry said the US Charge d'Affairs, Richard Hoagland, was officially conveyed the government's serious concern over a US Congressional hearing last week that reportedly discussed human rights abuses in Baluchistan.

Parliament then unanimously passed a resolution condemning a sub-committee hearing in the US Congress, convened by a Republican lawmaker, saying the United States has no jurisdiction to discuss any issue happening in Pakistan.

"The Charge d'Affairs was informed that this was unacceptable as it amounted to interference in the internal affairs of the country," a foreign ministry statement said.

Pakistan's Baluchistan province has been suffering from a separatist insurgency at the hands of Baluch rebels since 2004, demanding political autonomy and a greater share of the region's oil, gas and mineral deposits.

Government security officials are often accused of human rights violations and hundreds of people have gone missing, believed detained or killed at the hands of Pakistan's military and intelligence services.

It was unclear whether the anger over the Baluchistan hearing would have any lasting repercussions, or whether it was intended more for an anti-American domestic audience at a time of political uncertainty at home.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was on Monday charged with contempt of court for refusing to re-open corruption cases against the government, paving the way for a trial that could ultimately help force early elections.

Victoria Nuland, spokesperson for the State Department, underlined last week that this hearing was a private initiative. "The State Department is not participating or involved in this hearing", she said.

"We emphasise that the United States engages with Pakistan on a whole range of issues, including ways to foster economic development and expand opportunity in Baluchistan", she emphasised.

The resolution in Pakistan's parliament was tabled by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan from the main opposition Pakistan Muslim League party in the lower house and was unanimously passed, state television said.

"American interference in Pakistan's internal affairs is unacceptable," the resolution said.
Relations between Pakistan and the United States, allies in the war in Afghanistan, drastically deteriorated last year over the

American raid that killed Osama bin Laden and air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

The alliance is deeply scarred by mistrust on both sides, with the populations in both countries deeply suspicious of each other's government.

Pakistan has kept its Afghan border closed to NATO supply trucks since late November, but there had been hopes that the blockade could end soon after the parliament adopts a formal review of the alliance, expected this month.
 

pmaitra

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
33,262
Likes
19,593
If true, this is great news.

So, we have US in Iraq, although they will be withdrawing most of their forces leaving a pro-US government there. On top of that, they are in Afghanistan, where they will reduce their footprint. Supporting the Baloch Nationalists equates with threatening Iran's and Pakistan's territorial integrity, but also open up a possibility of a route to Afghanistan. Perhaps it was planned by US and India? Maybe the US understands India's dependence on Iran for access to Afghanistan? I see a convergence of interests between US and India, assuming this Pakistani accusation is true.
 

devgupt

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
581
Likes
296
Country flag
Nuclear weapons are not a guarantee of a nation's survival - many Western thinkers argue holding Soviet Union as an example. And yet the the common perception behind NK,Pakistan Iran's N-Bomb program is that it will save their nation/regime/controlling elites from defeat.

A loss of Baluchistan will have an important effect on world geopolitical scenario - as it will have prove beyond doubt that N-bomb don't guarantee safety. It will surely force nations like Iran/NK to seek other conciliatory measures to secure their safety.

And an independent Baluchistan will be big headache for Iran.

US has a lot to gain to precipitate events in Baluchistan. Are they doing yet?
 

Ray

The Chairman
Professional
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Messages
43,132
Likes
23,834
Pakistan is only seeing the trailer.

The film is about to be released! :taunt:
 
Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
29,797
Likes
48,276
Country flag
Nuclear weapons are not a guarantee of a nation's survival - many Western thinkers argue holding Soviet Union as an example. And yet the the common perception behind NK,Pakistan Iran's N-Bomb program is that it will save their nation/regime/controlling elites from defeat.

A loss of Baluchistan will have an important effect on world geopolitical scenario - as it will have prove beyond doubt that N-bomb don't guarantee safety. It will surely force nations like Iran/NK to seek other conciliatory measures to secure their safety.

And an independent Baluchistan will be big headache for Iran.

US has a lot to gain to precipitate events in Baluchistan. Are they doing yet?
An Independent Baluchistan will be a bigger headache for Pakistan especially if USA,Iran and India
provide military and economic aid. It would also remove China out of the picture-Gwadar port and
looting the resources of Baluchis.
 
Last edited:

pmaitra

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
33,262
Likes
19,593
^^

I don't see Iran providing any kind of military assistance to the Baloch. Iran has its own headache with Sistan-Balochistan in eastern Iran.
 
Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
29,797
Likes
48,276
Country flag
^^

I don't see Iran providing any kind of military assistance to the Baloch. Iran has its own headache with Sistan-Balochistan in eastern Iran.
It could go either way for Iran especially if Jundullah separatists are revived?
 
Last edited:

SADAKHUSH

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2010
Messages
1,839
Likes
780
Country flag
Pakistan can only accuse USA but I confess as a neighbour of USA this is a fact. I do not like denying like Pakistani Govt or her citizens. This time around we are not going to leave you as we did in 1989 for which we are still being reminded of our follies. Just sit back and let your mother-in-law implement the division of the broken state in to at least four to five separate countries. Than we will supply our friendly states with armament to fight the enemy of ours in the region. This includes China in the list of enemy states.
 
Last edited:

SADAKHUSH

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2010
Messages
1,839
Likes
780
Country flag
^^

I don't see Iran providing any kind of military assistance to the Baloch. Iran has its own headache with Sistan-Balochistan in eastern Iran.
Beside Iran and Pakistan controlling the Baluchistan territory, Afghanistan also sitting on land belonging to Baluchistan. I wonder how this mess left behind by Brits will get cleaned up.
 

pmaitra

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
33,262
Likes
19,593
Beside Iran and Pakistan controlling the Baluchistan territory, Afghanistan also sitting on land belonging to Baluchistan. I wonder how this mess left behind by Brits will get cleaned up.
Depends where in history you want to draw the line. There was a time when most of Afghanistan and the whole of Balochistan was part of the Persian Empire. They might as well up the ante and claim the whole of Balochistan is Iranian territory.

I think we should only support arrangements that benefit us immensely; otherwise, simply stay out of all this. No point making enemies all around the world when things don't directly affect us.
 

Latest Replies

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top