Khan of Kalat to seek Indian help against Pakistan

By
Murtaza Ali Shah
|
Khan of Kalat to seek Indian help against Pakistan

LONDON: The Khan of Kalat, Amir Ahmed Suleman Daud, has announced he will contact India and other countries to seek help against Pakistan. 

The Khan of Kalat, who sought asylum in the United Kingdom in 2009, was speaking at an event in the House of Lords, organised by The Democracy Forum. 

Supporting Narendra Modi, the Khan of Kalat told the audience that he will go to India, Iran, Afghanistan and other countries to pursue his objectives but his emphasis was on seeking Indian help. He said “we have a sincere friend in Prime Minister Narendra Modi” who was working against Pakistan. The government of Pakistan has said that terrorism inside Pakistan is funded by the Modi regime. 

The Khan of Kalat said that he will utilise his energies to “push back China”, which is involved in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

This is not the first time that the Khan of Kalat has made such a statement seeking foreign help but he has now announced to go to India in person. Hyrbyair Marri, who lives in exile in London, was also billed to speak at the event but did not attend. His message was read by one of his colleagues.

The event saw an exchange of harsh words as the organisers were accused by members of the audience of hosting a one-sided show targeting Pakistan but a spokesman of the forum said that a Pakistani academic pulled out at the last minute. 

The event saw an exchange of angry words and accusations between the Khan of Kalat and members of the audience.

A participant accused the organisers of doing a disservice to the name of ‘democracy’ and ‘Balochistan’ by hosting a monarch. A Baloch pointed out that the Khan of Kalat himself is a non-Baloch and belongs to Pashtoon Ahmadzai tribe. Failing to answer a question by a Pakistani journalist, the Khan of Kalat accused that he was an “agent of the Pakistani establishment”. The journalist retorted that it was Khan of Kalat’s own family which was enjoying a lifestyle of luxury in Balochistan with help from the Pakistani state. 

Amir Suleman Daud had sought asylum in the UK with his family members promising that he will take the “case of Balochistan” to the International Court of Justice but that promise has failed to materialise. 

The Khan of Kalat has felt increasingly frustrated since his eldest son Prince Muhammad Ahmadzai left him and decided to return to Balochistan a few years ago. He had applied for asylum along with his father but rebelled and withdraw his asylum application informing the Home Office that he did not fear persecution in Pakistan. After reaching Pakistan, Prince Muhammad Ahmadzai hoisted Pakistani flag at the Quaid-e-Azam’s Residency Ziarat. He regularly hosts senior figures of law-enforcement in Balochistan at the same place where his father used to hold court. 

Around four years ago, the Khan of Kalat and Hyrbyair Marri joined forces and announced that a united Balochistan “charter” will be launched but that didn’t materialise as several Baloch leaders refused to engage and key exiled figures such as Baloch representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Mehran Marri, Brahumdagh Bugti and Javed Mengal refused to endorse the document. 

The Khan of Kalat has been meeting a few anti-Pakistan US Senators in London but his lobbying efforts have practically failed to take off so far. 

Around six months ago, Geneva-based Brahumdagh Bugti applied for asylum in India but continues to await Indian decision on his request. The Swiss government has not given him travel documents in around five years. He has also stated that he will welcome Indian help. Pakistani authorities say India is sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan through various sources. 

Originally published in The News