...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
if the Baloch so desired.
Mr Bugti, who had left for Afghanistan after his grandfather Nawab Akbar Bugti's death in a military raid to lead guerilla resistance, spoke to the BBC on the ninth death anniversary of the nationalist leader. He made it clear that a peaceful resolution of the enduring conflict would not be without conditions.
While fleeing Afghanistan, he had alleged that Gen
Pervez PervMusharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
's regime wanted to kill him after eliminating his grandfather. He won refuge in Afghanistan despite Pakistain's demand for his return and moved to Europe in 2010 along with his family.
With reports of hundreds of members of the banned holy warrior organizations having surrendered in Balochistan recently and speculations rife that the authorities are negotiating with some exiled separatist leaders who want assurances of safety in return for giving up militancy, Mr Bugti's peace offer indicates a radical change in Baloch politics.
"It is really hard to negotiate on the conflict when the bloodletting still continues. That's why our standpoint is clear: the operation (in Balochistan) be stopped and all the forces be withdrawn. Once this materialises, it could provide conducive environment for dialogue," Mr Bugti, who lives in Switzerland
...home of the Helvetians, famous for cheese, watches, yodeling, and William Tell...
, said.