Quetta: Hailing political efforts to cement Baloch-Pashtun unity, Prince Mohyuddin Baloch, leader of the Baloch Rabita Ittefaq Movement and former federal minister, has said that Baloch territory stretched up to Jalogir-Kuchlak as was recognised by the British Empire and Afghan monarchs. The necessary accords in this regard were made between the British Crown and the Khan of Kalat, he added.

Mr Baloch addressed a press conference at the Kalat Palace on Sunday evening, where he said the demarcation had been recognised by several Pashtun nationalists including Khan Samad Khan Achakzai, a symbol of Baloch-Pashtun unity. Mr Achakzai had, in fact, accepted an important position in the Kalat National Party under a Baloch leadership, he said, adding that this reflected his sincere efforts to cement unity between the two ethnic groups.

Criticising certain nationalist groups, Mr Baloch, son of the late Khan of Kalat Mir Ahmed Yar Khan, said certain short-sighted elements were creating an atmosphere of hatred between the Baloch and Pashtun people who shared centuries-old religious and ethnic relations. He said the ethnic groups would, at times, claim the provincial capital as their territory or shout the slogan ‘Bolan to Chitral’ in order to pit the Baloch and the Pashtun against each other.

Elaborating on the question of Quetta, Mr Baloch said Baloch territory ended at Jalogir (which divides Pishin district from Quetta). The Kasi Fort used to be the city where the Khan of Kalat’s appointee would sit alongside the notables of the Kasi tribe. The British Empire and Khan Samad Khan Achakzai accepted this as well, he said.

He said the British Crown had entered into accords with the Khan of Kalat over Quetta, Chagai and Nasirabad. However, some political parties continued to grind their axe by issuing controversial statements, he said.

To a question about the upcoming census, Mr Baloch said his party favoured holding the census, but weather conditions and other circumstances should be taken into consideration.

During winter, nearly 40 per cent of the Baloch population migrated to warmer areas as the winter vacation continued till March. He suggested that the census be conducted in April or May so that the Baloch population could be counted in the census. He said every time there was a census, people living in giddan (traditional tents) in mountainous areas would be left out. He urged the relevant authorities to ensure that they were counted in the census.

He said he had been contacted by several political parties and leaders over the issue of the census, and added that although his party was a non-political platform, he was ready to play his role in all matters. He said if all Baloch parties were united over the census, they should also unite over the coming general elections by becoming a powerful force.

Published in Dawn February 14th, 2017