London: Altaf Hussain, the leader of the MQM, has urged Pakistan’s military establishment to listen to the aspirations of the Baloch people and to interact with them on their own terms. During the launch of his book, The Balochistan Issue: A Historical Perspective, Hussain made a noteworthy comment in which he offered Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, the opportunity to discuss the Baloch with him.

Hussain emphasized that these discussions must take place on the conditions of the Baloch people, not the army. Representatives from Baloch and Sindhi organizations were among the varied crowd at the event, which took place at a local venue in Edgware, London. Mir Agha Suleman Dawood Jan Ahmedzai, the Khan of Kalat, was the main guest during the event.

“I have placed the ball in General Asim Munir’s court; now it is up to him to make a firm decision to resolve the conflicts once and for all,” Altaf Hussain said during his speech. He ought to respect the Baloch people and all of Pakistan’s downtrodden nationalities as much as he values his own children.

The MQM is not hostile to any ethnic community, including Punjabis, Hussain reaffirmed. “We are not against Punjabis, but the fact remains that the majority of the oppressive army is Punjabi,” he said. He emphasized how many people have remained silent about the military’s persecution of other ethnic groups, such as Baloch, Muhajirs, Sindhis, and Pashtuns, but he made the decision to speak up. “Instead of staying silent, I wrote a book to inform them about the causes and realities of the Balochistan issue,” he said. “Historically, Balochistan was never a part of Pakistan; it was forcefully annexed at gunpoint instead.” He went on.

He expressed gratitude to the Khan of Kalat for coming and promised to stand behind the Baloch people in their fight for equality and respect. The event’s main guest, Khan of Kalat Mir Agha Suleman Dawood Jan Ahmedzai, discussed the insecurity that oppressed nationalities in Pakistan suffer, especially the Muhajirs, who, like the Baloch, are subjected to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions. “Muhajirs, Baloch, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Seraikis, Kashmiris, Baltistanis, and Gilgitis are all protesting against state oppression,” he said.

“An army is supposed to be a guardian,” he said, referring to the military’s function, “but our guardian has become the owner of our land.” They started out as property dealers, progressed to industrialists, and are now engaged in feuds.

Concerns were also expressed by Khan of Kalat over international surveillance of Pakistan’s nuclear technology. As he pointed out, “Libya has already revealed that Pakistan sold them nuclear technology,” highlighting the continuing inquiries into the matter.

He conveyed his sincere appreciation to Altaf Hussain for his book, which illuminates Balochistan’s historical facts. He asked Hussain to rally the Baloch and Muhajir groups. “Baloch and Muhajirs must band together to recover their stolen rights. Sixty-four percent of the land is ours. We must fight the oppressors together and reclaim what is rightly ours because Baloch and Muhajirs are brothers,” he said.

“Rights must be taken; they are not given upon request,” he said. Asking will only result in charity. In addition, Khan of Kalat responded to audience questions by going into more detail about the political, geographical, and historical facets of the conflict in Balochistan.

Dawood, Mir Agha Suleman The 35th Khan (or Sultan) of Kalat State is Jan Ahmedzai. He has been in the UK since 2006, and this was the first time in 19 years that he spoke in front of a crowd. Together, Altaf Hussain and Khan of Kalat spoke up for the downtrodden countries of Pakistan, highlighting the need of justice and togetherness. This was a momentous occasion for both men.