Abdul Ghaffar Bugti Dera Bugti
Isn’t it surprising that there are people who are completely disconnected from news, and news doesn’t reach them? And yes, such people exist in Pakistan. Let’s take you to the “dark city” of the Bugtis, Dera Bugti. This area is famous for Sui gas and Nawab Akbar Bugti. Dera Bugti is a tribal district of Pakistan, and like other tribal areas, its problems have been kept under wraps by the national media for various reasons.
Dera Bugti’s political history, intertwined with the tribe’s livelihood, is divided into three phases: before the discovery of Sui gas, the period after its discovery, and the era following the 2006 military operation. Before Sui gas, the people relied on livestock and rain-fed agriculture. A small portion of their income was given to the tribal chief to host guests and help those in need. The chief would convert livestock into cash to buy necessities, as they had no time to earn a living after taking on tribal responsibilities.
During British rule in the subcontinent, the British were unable to fully control most tribal areas, including the Bugti tribe’s region. The British government invited tribal leaders and tried to win them over through agreements, with considerable success. Their personal guards were transformed into the Levies Force, with salaries paid by the British government. These forces were used to capture criminals and those delivering unwanted messages. Gradually, the tribal Nawab’s influence grew. It became easier to arrest and punish rebels within the tribe. Many were sent to Delhi, Sibi, and Mach jails. The British also sent the Nawab’s sons to prestigious educational institutions in the subcontinent and England. They surpassed their tribesmen in economic and human power, as well as political awareness. One such Nawab was Shahbaz Khan Bugti (Akbar Khan Bugti).
The discovery of gas and his closeness to the rulers of the time increased the Nawab’s wealth four thousand times. The alliance between the government and the chieftain played a significant role in keeping the people’s problems away from the media. Because the Nawab was both the tribe’s leader and a political figure, he held both government and tribal powers. For over forty years, the area remained hidden from the public eye. The tribesmen considered speaking out against their chief as an insult to the tribe. Criticizing the tribal leader was like criticizing the people themselves. From Pakistan’s independence until the Nawab’s death, media teams only came to interview the Nawab, never visiting these areas otherwise. During the military operation, some journalists from national and international media were given access on military planes to cover the events, but security agencies only allowed them to cover specific areas due to safety concerns.
Now comes the governmental era.
International media tried to cover Nawab Sahib’s death and the people’s anger in various ways, but the national media was under General Pervez Musharraf’s censorship. They were forced to show things that would justify Musharraf’s operation. Gradually, security forces established check posts throughout the district. They set up large checkpoints at the entrances of main highways and began inspecting people. Upon hearing about a media person, institutions would become active and would take them along only to cover their own limited area of work and then return them. This is also known as Force Journalism. Now new people started coming forward in the governmental era. Who are called tribal elders in the governmental language. In the beginning, they were also very poor and powerless. Governmental institutions followed the British policy and recruited people close to them into the Levies Force as their guards so that they could be protected from separatist organizations. And their political influence could also increase. And local people were recruited in the name of peace force and handed over to them. Who had exactly the job of British Levies. To provide information and help the government in arresting wanted criminals when needed. And gradually their influence also increased. And the government sent their children to study in the best educational institutions in Pakistan. And soon they emerged as strong political figures. In their times, the media is called during the election days. And after reporting against their opposition, they are sent back. And till now there is no check and balance of media on the development projects of the entire district. Reporters of all channels are present but due to financial constraints and fear of governmental and separatist organizations, they are unable to provide coverage. And the second thing is that the journalists here are unfamiliar with the method of reporting in conflicts. And furthermore, they belong to a remote district of the country. Where information or resources are very limited. And media channels give them nothing in return for work except appreciation. And these people are left without institutional protection. They know and their God knows. This is the area where state and opposition elements try to control them and impose their information on them through various references, and furthermore, they have their own tribal and political sympathies which prevent them from giving coverage. And often journalists also do government jobs. Which remains an obstacle in their way. Yes, but for some time now, when people tried to expose their problems and the corruption of political representatives on social media, the government suspended the internet throughout the district. Now the situation has reached such a point that PTCL connections in people’s shops are being torn and thrown away. And social media activists are being harassed in various ways every day. And this time, speaking out against government representatives is considered tantamount to speaking out against the state, and the supporters of these political representatives are present in the Facebook arena with the stamp of treason. Just like in the Nawab’s time, the people of the tribe considered it bad. And considered it an unforgivable sin.
The completion of governmental projects is not possible without the presence of media. So far, representatives of the provincial and local governments have embezzled billions of rupees every year in the name of fake projects throughout the district, none of which is reported in the media. If all these works were completed, and people benefited from it, perhaps peace would be established in the area, but no!
