14th death anniversary of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti observed

Today marks the 14 death anniversary of Baloch feudal chieftain and leader Nawab Akbar Bugti who was killed in a military operation in Kohlu area of Balochistan.

Born on July 12, 1927, in Barkhan, he was assassinated on August 26, 2006 in a raid on the orders of military dictator General Pervez Musharraf. The assassination triggered protests in several parts of Balochistan and increased resentment.

He was the son of the chief of his tribe, Nawab Mehrab Khan Bugti. He received his early education from Karachi Grammar School, Aitchison College and the University of Oxford. He became the chief of his tribe after his father’s death. Bugti had three wives and thirteen children altogether.

He served Governor of Balochistan between February 1973 to January 1974, and as the chief minister from February 1989 to August 1990. He also served as the minister of State for Interior, and earlier became minister of state for defence.

In 2005, Bugti presented a 15-point agenda to the Pakistan government. demanding greater control of the province’s natural resources. On 26th August 2006, Akbar Bugti was killed after the cave in which he was hiding collapsed.

His grandson Bhramdagh Bugti is currently in exile in Switzerland and operates the proscribed Baloch Republican Army, which has been responsible for several terror activities in the country.

On 11th July 2012, an anti-terrorism court in Sibi issued arrest warrants Pervez Musharraf and several other high-ranking officials accused of involvement in the high-profile killing.

This included the former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, former Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Sherpao, former Governor of Balochistan Owais Ahmed Ghani, former Chief Minister of Balochistan Jam Mohammad Yousaf, former Provincial Home Minister Shoaib Nosherwani, and former Deputy Commissioner Abdul Samad Lasi.