It has been intensely debated as to whether there was a “London Plan” for creating a Greater Balochistan or whether it was simply a demand for getting broader provincial autonomy for the province 36 years ago. Perhaps it has become an easy smokescreen; whenever a new political movement emerges, it is termed as a ‘London Plan’.

Even last month (September, 2014), as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain argued in favour of creating more administrative units, former Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza labelled it a “London Plan to divide Sindh”. Then there is the alleged meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek leaders in London, which the incumbent Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique labelled as a conspiracy to weaken state institutions. Again, this was dubbed a ‘London Plan’

But the first mention of a “London Plan” appeared in September 1972, when Maulana Kausar Niazi of the PPP, referring to a statement issued, claimed that National Awami Party (NAP) chief Wali Khan and his colleagues had hatched a conspiracy to break Pakistan into independent units.

Together with the Shah of Iran, Bhutto moved to quell Baloch resistance on this side of the border

On Jan 31, 1973, speaking at a rally at Mochi Gate in Lahore, Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti claimed that Pakhtun leader Wali Khan and Attaullah Mengal, the then chief minister of Balochistan, had told him about Greater Balochistan — a plan through which Balochistan would gain independence and become a sovereign entity. Bugti also said that the implementation of the plan was the responsibility of the “Greater Balochistan Centre” in Baghdad, Iraq. During these days, an arms cache was also hauled up from the Iraqi Embassy in Islamabad, which was allegedly meant for distribution among Baloch activists.

The Plan also included a meeting between Attaullah Mengal and Ahmad Nawaz Bugti with Shaikh Mujeebur Rahman, who had been in London after being released by Pakistan. The Baloch leaders in Pakistan immediately contradicted the report, and said that it was the brainchild of Bhutto’s Interior Minister Abdul Qayyum Khan to malign Baloch leaders. When the news item broke in the UK press, Shaikh Mujeeb also immediately contradicted it.

The story of Balochistan’s demands is not new; it dates back to 1948. Regrettably, the Baloch had been complaining from day one that the federal government had been treating Balochistan as an ‘enemy country’, denying it of its rightful share from its natural resources and its place in national affairs.

In the beginning of 1973, Bhutto was also told by the Shah of Iran that an ethnic resistance movement had been burgeoning in Iranian Balochistan, which had now found a parallel in Pakistan as well.

After Ayub Khan’s exploitative round, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the leader who spearheaded an army operation to silence the voices that were raised for Baloch rights. It started with the formation of provincial government, with Sardar Attaullah Mengal elected as chief minister, but on Feb 14, 1973, it was dismissed for having the support of the NAP. Akbar Bugti was appointed as Governor of Balochistan on Feb 15, 1973, but at the same time, Bhutto asked the Pakistan Army to launch a crackdown on NAP workers and supporters. During the onslaught, a large number of Baloch activists were killed.

In the beginning of 1973, Bhutto was also told by the Shah of Iran that an ethnic resistance movement had been burgeoning in Iranian Balochistan, which had now found a parallel in Pakistan as well. Together, the Shah said, they aimed at creating a new sovereign country called “Greater Balochistan.”

Bhutto agreed with the assertion. With financial support as well as arms and ammunition from Iran, Pakistan launched an army operation in the province in 1973, after dissolving the Balochistan Assembly and arresting a number of activists. It was reported that Iran provided Huey Cobra helicopters and some $200 million of financial support to quell the Baloch struggle.

Bugti had reservations about the direction of Bhutto’s governance, but he worked as governor till Jan 1, 1974. He then told Bhutto that he would not be able to continue as governor, since he did not like the ruthless manner in which affairs in Balochistan were being dealt with. Subsequently, he quit as governor.

After a year of sporadic fighting between the insurgents and the army, it was reported in September 1974 that some 50,000 Baloch fighters, organised by Attaullah Mengal and Khair Bakhsh Marri, were in combat. To make the resistance ineffective, the army also got support from the air force and navy. For some time the resistance abated.

Despite many attempts by politicians to calm tempers, Bhutto continued to march ahead. He continued with the operation till the time his government was overthrown by General Ziaul Haq on July 5, 1977.

After Bhutto’s removal, Gen Zia took an objective view of the whole affair. He appointed a military governor, Gen Rahimuddin, in Balochistan. Owing to Bhutto’s actions, a number of Baloch activists had already fled to the mountains, while Sardar Mengal and Khair Bakhsh Marri had left Pakistan and gone into self-imposed exile. After reaching an understanding with Gen Rahimuddin, the Bugti tribe opted to stay calm and the anti-government process died down. Gen Rahimuddin also undertook a development programme in the province, the benefits of which were many for the Baloch people.

Next week: Kausar Niazi tries to hijack the party

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Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, October 12th, 2014