Part 3
Esmatullah Sarwan
Second Resistance: 1958
From the creation of Pakistan until 1958, the country’s political situation remained unstable and changed frequently. Civilian governments were weak and heavily influenced by the military. There was deep mistrust and animosity among civilian leaders. In 1958, Ayub Khan overthrew the civilian government and transferred all power directly to the military.
Even after the annexation of Balochistan, the military did not have full operational control or the necessary influence in the region. In 1955, Pakistan carried out military operations to implement the One Unit scheme for West Pakistan. Initially, the army exercised caution and leniency, partly out of fear of armed conflict with the Baloch and partly to establish a foothold in the region. Tribal Baloch leaders were promised full political authority, equal representation of their rights within the federal system, and a non-interference guarantee from the military in Balochistan. This approach ensured that, over the course of three years, the authorities faced no armed resistance.
After the military was deployed in Balochistan, it dismantled the tribal system. Tribal leaders were imprisoned and humiliated, villages were besieged, bombed, and burned, and a brutal campaign began aimed at disarming and killing members of the Baloch community.
The military’s oppression filled the Baloch community’s cup of patience, and in 1958, an uprising broke out under the leadership of Nawab Nowroz Khan Baloch. Nawab Nowroz Khan was a man of awakened awareness, strong faith, and deep honor. With hundreds of fighters, he retreated into the mountains and launched a bloody struggle against the Pakistani army to defend the dignity and honor of the proud Baloch people.
This resistance lasted for about a year and became a significant headache for Pakistan. However, lacking sufficient weapons and the support of other tribal leaders, and coming under strict military control, the uprising could not achieve a successful outcome.
Eventually, the military gave Nawab Nowroz Khan a solemn oath on the Qur’an, urging him to surrender and resolve the conflict through dialogue. Nowroz Khan, along with his sons and companions, surrendered, and the fighting ceased. However, the army broke its sacred oath. Nawab Nowroz Khan’s sons and companions were executed, and he himself was imprisoned.
This un-Islamic and inhumane act by the military destroyed the Baloch people’s trust in the army. It deepened the hatred and mistrust toward the military in the hearts of all Baloch and inspired them to engage in relentless resistance. Even today, whenever a Baloch steps onto the battlefield against Pakistan, they draw inspiration from the suffering and struggle of Nawab Nowroz Khan Baloch.
Third Resistance: 1962
In Balochistan, the oppressive One Unit policy continued, following the suppression of Nawab Nowroz Khan Baloch’s movement, which had dismantled the political, administrative, and tribal systems of the Baloch people. The Baloch were left deprived of security, a decent standard of living, and their basic rights, forced to live under the weight of grief and oppression.
In 1962, to consolidate its illegitimate authority and suppress the spirit of freedom among the Baloch, Pakistan once again launched rapid air and ground operations in certain areas of Balochistan to eliminate the remaining Baloch fighters. The leader of the Baloch resistance was Khair Bakhsh Marri. After intense battles, Khair Bakhsh Marri and some of his companions were captured, hundreds of Baloch were killed, and many others retreated into the mountains, while Khair Bakhsh Marri was sent to prison.
This brought a temporary semblance of peace and halted open conflict, but the political grievances remained unresolved, becoming increasingly complex and ultimately paving the way for the bloody war of 1973.