QUETTA: Self-exiled Baloch nationalist leader Mir Harbayar Marri has said that an independent Balochistan will confront problems faced by countries like Angola and North Korea if powers of tribal nawabs and chiefs are not handed over to nationalists carrying out a separatist movement.

Criticising his brothers Jangez and Mehran for vying to become nawab of the Marri tribe, he said in a statement sent to reporters here from London: “Appointing nawabs, tribal chieftains and tribal elders is part of a backward and anti-Baloch system introduced by Sandeman, a representative of British rulers in Balochistan, which has since been harming the Baloch liberation movement and interests of the Baloch people.”

Know more: Mehran appointed chief of Marri tribe

He said it was the right and mandate of Baloch nationalist leaders and youths to decide matters relating to Balochistan because “they have been sacrificing their lives in the struggle for freedom”.

“The people claiming to have become nawab and chief of the Marri tribe, including my brothers Jangez Marri and Mehran Marri, are following the course adopted by parliamentarians from the Balochistan National Party and National Party who went to parliament instead of contributing to the liberation movement,” Mir Harbayar said.

He said the chiefs of the Mengal tribe had been pursuing politics to maintain their hold on the tribe instead of rendering sacrifices for the rights of the Baloch people.

“The nations that allow some persons to rule them as nawabs and tribal chieftains always remain backward and face anarchy. On the other hand, nations like Norway and Sweden that accepted changes have become developed and prosperous,” he said.

He said his late father Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri embodied a school of thought and he struggled, faced difficulties and hardships and rendered sacrifices for a bright and prosperous future of the Baloch people.

“Not only his children or tribe, but all Baloch people are heirs of Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri,” he said.

He said the Baloch people needed mature leaders and not nawabs and tribal chieftains if they wanted their identity to survive and to bring themselves on a par with civilised nations.

“We are not against the tribal system but against the system of nawab and tribal chieftain that was introduced by Mr Sandeman,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 8th , 2014