Self-Talking Talks with Baloch Militants

Who am I? What am I doing in Journalism when I don’t dare to write for the oppressed nations? Why do my fellow journalists call me anti-state? Why I should remain silent on the issues which are so close to my heart? Why I am asking all these freaking questions?

Shouldn’t I focus on my career? Yeah, but then again, I am also aware that everyone trying to win the race of 200 meters and I am a player of the Greek times’ Marathon. I couldn’t be successful in my career. Then what? I think I need to eat junk food. What a silly idea at 01:34 AM (Sunday), I am, ideally, not in my senses but why?

Simply, I know you, my dear! I know you from the times when you got your first breath, you are me and I am you.

What? What are you talking about?

What I said, I mean it. I am also mindful of why you are so confused and agitated?

Please tell me why?

You are desperate! I mean you struggled a lot to make your voice a meaning but the simple fact is that your voice is mixing with other meaningless voices even with the voices of distorted corpses?

I am not here to hear the fiction. Why are you so stupid?

Calm down, Man. Do you know Bhagat Singh?

Yeah, I read about him in my teenage but why are you remembering Bhagat Singh at that odd hour?

Do you remember Bhagat Singh once said, “If the deaf is to hear, the sound was to be loud.”

Hmm…Correctly. Do you want me to do the same as Bhagat Singh did? I am clear that you wouldn’t think like that but then what was the purpose of the example of Bhagat Singh?

Very unpretentious! The sound was to be loud.

What?

I am trying to say, you need to be proactive and use your energies tactically.

What? Do you think I am out of mind? Man, I am very patriotic but at the same time my analytical skills allow me to observe the issues rationally that doesn’t mean to be against the state.

No, No! Cool your mind! Do you read the newspaper?

Yeah!

So, what types of news stories do you read?

Come on the point, dear.

Have you read the news about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s unexpected announcement about the ongoing dialogue with the Tahreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)?

Yeah! I have read it.

I am also aware that you also have read the news story about the meeting of the Parliaments’ Standing Committee on National Security and the in-camera briefing of the senior-most military leadership about the continuing dialogue with the TTP which has been given in the meeting? I can safely say that you have also read the news story of the National Cabinet of Pakistan’s meeting which was presided by the Prime Minister himself. The TTP was also on the agenda of the foremost constitutional institution?

So what?

Are you worried?

You know better. I am a civilian! No, I was mistaken. I am a slave like my father and grandfather.

I know!

Yeah. As you mentioned that you are me and I am you.

So why are you irritating me, I am feeling sleepy? Listen! I don’t have any mind to write “Shakespearian English”. I am from the most backward city of the country as I spent my whole life in the rough terrain of Khuzdar.

Oh. Did you read any news which is related to Balochistan during that period?

Yeah Yeah! Didn’t you read? Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he would initiate the dialogue with Baloch Separatists too?

I was expecting to hear that but did you listen to the briefing of the Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary after the cabinet meeting. He clearly said that government will release the prisoners of banned TTP including the senior leadership of the organization.

So,

My friend was “informing” me that we Balochs are puppets of Indian intelligence agency RAW and in the same sitting justifying the negotiations with Tehreek e Labaik Pakistan (TLP) and also with banned TTP.

TLP! Are you serious? Is it not the same religious political party whose workers killed nine policemen?

Yeah! He was narrating that the timing of Government was not perfect but still the successful dialogue proves helpful in avoiding more bloodshed.

So, what was new in it?

Government officials always claimed that TLP and banned TTP have been sponsored by RAW? I was the state narrative just some days ago. I was saying that You are a journalist as I am. You are me and I am you. I am sure you have also read the Human Rights Council of Balochistan report’ states that during the first ten days of the present month alone, 38 Baloch forcibly disappeared and a majority of them are students. The number of disappearing students is increasing day by day.

I can’t say anything. I am a slave and will be remained a slave till my last breath.

How can you be a slave? You have a National Identity Card of Pakistan and a Passport. You are a citizen of Pakistan. How much happy you were on the victory of Pakistan against India in the T20s world cup pool match?

Yeah, you are right but what I am saying, yeah, I am a slave. I can’t have freedom of expression. Do you have?

I don’t want to be burst into a laughter as you know I am not an alien.

I can understand but I read the news story that Baloch separatists came back home from Afghanistan after allegedly pro Pakistani Taliban Government took charge of the Islamic State of Taliban. Is it true?

I will add some more facts as I also heard the rumors that security forces killed 15 allegedly Baloch militants in Hernai and Noshki in two separate operations on the fereri camps in a single day.

But Prime Minister intimated to negotiate with the Balochis.

You are right but I think you are losing your memory. What state did with Nawab Nowroz Khan and his comrades? Nawab died in captivity at the age of 90 or more. You forgot all the promises and packages that the state announced and matters were worsened more.

So, what should I do? I would happy to be a puppet and it is good for us including Balochs, Pashtuns, Hazaras, Brahvis, and Balochistanis.

No, I strongly disagree. We need to raise voices. Have you read the news that the University of Balochistan is under the robust surveillance of security forces who virtually established makeshift security arrangements in the university?

Why?

It is the punishment for our silence. We are dumb and deaf and that is an undeniable fact.

No. It is the punishment of the outspoken Professor Saba Dashtyari and others.

What do you mean? You know Balochs have been struggling for the last seven decades and even before. Have you forgotten Faqir Kala Khan who resisted the British Raj?

No, I have lost my memory.

What?

You wouldn’t understand me. Slaves don’t have memory and they should be dumb and deaf.

Then who would struggle for the legitimate constitutional rights of the people of Balochistan?

I will surely not. I am not an asset of aliens like the good and bad Taliban and a lot of extremist religious organizations and political leaders.

You are right but….

I would say if more than one dozen active nationalist Baloch political parties can’t do anything, so what could I do? I am not mentioning active militant groups in these numbers as I am against any kind of militancy. I am clear as Balochs need unity to be able to raise the pitch of their voice to hear the deaf. But remember! Former Inspector General FC Balochistan is now heading the primary intelligence agency of the country. Therefore, it is better to get some sleep to work again with a fresh mind in morning. Do you Agree?

Yeah sure!

Ok. Good night.