Khan of Kalat seeks India's support for freedom of Balochs

Amir Ahmed Suleman Daud, the Khan of Kalat, has categorically stated to seek help from India and other western countries against Pakistan and called upon the international community to come forward to help the Baloch people in their freedom struggle.

He made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled, "The History of Balochistan Revisited" at the House of Lords here last week. The seminar was hosted by 'The Democracy Forum' and the deliberations centred on Britain's historical links with the confederacy of Balochistan in the 19th century and the legality of the subsequent accession of Balochistan to Pakistan in 1948. Dr William Crawley of the Institute for Commonwealth Studies chaired the seminar.

According to the Nation, during the course of his address, the Khan of Kalat, said that he would go to India, Iran, Afghanistan and other countries to seek their help and influence to reach his and his followers' destiny but his major source of inspiration and dependence would be on India since according to him "they have a sincere friend in Prime Minister Narendera Modi".

He added that he will utilise his energies to "push back China", which is involved in the multi-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called 'a game changer which will transform the lives of the billions of people of the region.'

The Khan questioned the legality of Balochistan's accession to Pakistan as he referred to various treaties signed by the British government with the Baloch rulers, in which Balochistan's sovereignty and independence had been repeatedly affirmed.

He argued that Pakistan's founding father, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who was the attorney for Kalat in all negotiations prior to its annexation by Pakistan, was himself aware that representatives of the British Crown had recognised Kalat as an independent country.

Describing Pakistan today as the 'cradle of terrorism', the Khan called on the international community to assist the Baloch regain their independence.

Calling Balochistan's accession to Pakistan in 1948 an 'annexation', he argued that Balochistan had lost its independence 'because of geo-politics', saying Britain wanted to deny the Soviet Union access to 'warm waters' - the Indian Ocean.

"This is why [the British] went back on the treaties (they had signed with Kalat)" he added.

The Khan also questioned whether had the mandate to declare Kharan, Lasbela and Mukran princely states.

He also welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public airing of the Balochistan issue in his Independence Day speech on August 15 last year.

It is pertinent to note that soon after independence emissaries of the then Khan of Kalat had approached Indian prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru to support Kalat and if necessary accept Kalat'a accession to India. However, Nehru did not respond positively as he felt that Kalat was contiguous to Pakistan. Later the Khan of Kalat was charged by Jinnah of treason for approaching India and hanged.