WASHINGTON, DC: Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti has become immortal in history as he sacrificed his life fighting against Pakistan’s military dictatorship for the rights of Balochistan, the Baloch American Congress (BAC) said Wednesday.

“Nawab Akbar Bugti, who was a former governor and chief minister of Balochistan, became the first martyr in the Baloch struggle against Chinese hegemony in the region. He heroically threw the gauntlet against Pakistan military dictator and coup leader, General Pervez Musharraf, who had planned to give Gwadar port to China,” Dr Tara Chand, president of the BAC said in a statement on the 15th anniversary of the Baloch leader’s assassination.

Dr Tara Chand said in a direct challenge to Gen Musharraf, Nawab Bugti upheld the Baloch honor code when he defended a female doctor, Shazia Khalid, after she was raped by an army captain in his home town.

He said Nawab Bugti knew very well that he was risking his life by challenging Gen Musharraf but opted to die with honor.

“Nawab Bugti famously said it was better to die fighting in the mountains for Baloch rights rather than perish slowly in bed,” Dr Tara Chand recalled.

“Former US ambassador to Pakistan, Bob Oakley, called Nawab Bugti a martyr who died with his spurs on,” he added.

He said Pakistan army physically annihilated Nawab Bugti to pave the way for complete colonization of Balochistan with the help of China.

He said Nawab Bugti’s sacrifice for Balochistan has inspired millions of Baloch youth to take the path of struggle, rather than compromise with the oppressors. 

“To this day, the Baloch are struggling against China-Pakistan nexus for sovereign right over their natural resources and ports and for Balochistan’s right to self-determination. In doing so, they are following the trail blazed by Nawab Bugti.”

Dr Tara Chand appealed to the U.S. and Western leaders to recognize Balochistan right to self-determination to counter Chinese hegemonic designs in the Gulf region.

#ShaheedNawabAkbarBugti