Marri’s wife, sons say government wants to appoint Changez as tribe chief

LONDON: Serious differences have developed within the powerful Baloch Marri tribe over who will be the next tribal chieftain after the death of Nawab Khair Bux Marri in Karachi a few days ago.
The News has learnt from Khair Bux Marri’s family sources that the government plans to alleviate Nawabzada Changez Marri, who is linked with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, as the new tribal chief of the Baloch Marri tribe but he faces stiff opposition from the entire Marri family and majority of the Marri tribe.
The opposition to Changez is being led by none other than his own mother, Mrs Khair Bux Marri, and his brothers Mehran Marri, Hyrbyair Marri, Gazain Marri and Hunza Marri who have all told Changez that his association with the government is not acceptable to the family and this goes against the mission of veteran deceased Baloch leader Nawab Khair Bux Marri.
Changez is the only son of Nawab Marri who is in Pakistan while Hyrbyair Marri lives in London, Mehran Marri lives between Dubai and Geneva, where he represents Balochistan in the UNHRC, Gazain and Hunza also live in Dubai and their only sister is married to Javed Mengal and lives in London.
Sources told that Changez Marri had been told by his mother Mrs Marri that “he’s not worthy of the title of Marri tribal chief and didn’t deserve it and he would not be accepted by the Marris and the Baloch if he was forced upon them by through blessings of the government”.
“Tribal elders approached the widow of Nawab Khair Bux Marri about the future tribal chief. She has told them that the future chief will be decided at the right time. The whole tribe remains in a state of deep mourning at the passing away of their father figure. She is deeply anguished that she had not been able to see the dead body of her husband and life partner because she was kept away as result of a conspiracy. She believes that what happened at the funeral of Nawab Marri was an attempt to malign the Baloch nation when a known religious hardliner from Balochistan led the funeral prayers. Now, attempts are afoot to appoint Changez Marri as the new tribal chief to damage the cause of Nawab Marri further. Lots of things were orchestrated to divide the Baloch nation.”
She has categorically told tribal elders that appointing Changez would backfire and would not be acceptable. The source said that Mrs Mari believed that what the government planned to do was what was done soon after the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti and a “government approved” Bugti was appointed tribal chief but none accepted the sponsored chief.
The Marri family source told The News that “stooges” were being encouraged to come forward and play the ball but he stressed that the Baloch nation would not accept any such move.“The consensus right now is that anyone approved from the government will not be accepted, be it Changez or anyone else.”
Condolence messages poured in from all sides last week when after Nawab Khair Bux Marri died in a Karachi hospital. He was described as a formidable politician, a nationalist leader known for his uncompromising ideology, and a strong believer in Baloch rights and provincial autonomy. Politicians of all parties said he was a politician of great stature who preferred to fight for the rights of the Baloch and the poor people.His sons were not able to attend his funeral as only Changez was able to live in Pakistan while others had cases registered against them.