In Afghanistan's shadow: Baluch nationalism and Soviet temptations

by Selig S. Harrison

In Afghanistan`s Shadow, Baluch Nationalism and Soviet Temptations

Genres: Pakistan

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Tariq Mahmood · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a land the size of France and a terrain which resembles that of the Moon and Mars, this is an excellent which presents the history of the current rebellion in the forgotten region of Baluchistan. Interestingly the name of the book itself is a sign for the insignificant treatment received by the valiant Baluch's over the years. it is a story of a Baluch race kept deliberately ignorant , first by their tribal leaders in connivance with their British masters and followed by the new Pakistan master race, Punjabis. The book sets the context of the struggle from 1947, the 'independence' of Pakistan, when the Baluch suddenly found themselves ditched by their old masters, the British which the author somehow forgets to mention. The Punjabis, who seemed to inherit the power from the British flexed their muscles on the behest of the powerful punjabi dominated army b y first insisting on a one-unit in West Pakistan in a power struggle with the Bengalis in the East Pakistan. In the fight for dominance of power in Pakistan, the Baluch leadership were ditched even more, relegated to small military actions and dubious deals based on the Quran which were conveniently ignored as there was no mention of an oath based on Quran in Pakistani laws to start with. This made the ignorant Baluch's even more frustrated and forlorn which ultimately resulted in the popular uprising fueled by the few students coming out of Pakistani setup schooling system.
There are absolute gems in the book like the following quote from Baluch Nationalist leader Khair Buksh Marri. 'If the Punjabis we're not prepared to share power with majority Bengalis than how do you expect them to yield power to minority Baluchis?' And from Bezenjo,' when a country divides than the sole responsibility lies with the people who were it's most policy makers, supporters and enforcers.'

Baluch are internally divided among various cultures dominated by the few yet elitist Baruhi clan. they don't really understand how democracy is supposed to work. Its a numbers game, if you do not produce enough, you wont really have a share of the power. Also the Baluch struggle is not popular among the massses due to its elitish nature, and the dearth of the higher and self-aware educated middle class. The Baluch cannot really compare themselves to the Bengalis because of three factors. East Pakistan was physically separated from West Pakistan, Indian support for the Bengali freedom fighters, and the buy in from student, and educated middle calss in East Pakistan, all three of which are woefully absent from the current Baluchistani independence struggle.

[Qasim Gondal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in a very lucid manner by a master of his craft, this rare gem is an original source of insight into one of the world's most misunderstood and misrepresented peoples. IMHO Mr Harrison tried to be as objective as he could, while simultaneously being the first-hand source of information of the era contemporaneous to the writing of this book.

[Anusha · Rating 5 out of 5]

So informative! It was really admirable how objective the writer tried to be. I especially appreciated learning about the dominating progressive and socialist strands among the Baloch liberation movement. The snapshot and prior history of the geopolitics in the region and complex international relationships were also so well-conveyed. Learned a lot from this book!

[Riaz Ujjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine research work on the Baloch resurgences of the past specialy during the 70s, which may help in understand the issue & why it is not resolved.