urat Khan Marri, an esteemed writer and Baloch scholar, has comprehensively examined the Baloch history, languages, customs, culture and diversity. Marri is recognised for his critique of the divisions within the Baloch community, tracing their origins to the British colonial policy of divide and rule. He has collaborated closely with Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, the Baloch nationalist leader who supported the Baloch insurgency in the 2000s. His latest book, Ankahi (Un-Said), features an interview with Nawab Marri where they delve into themes like unity, the concept of Greater Balochistan (encompassing territories in Iran and Afghanistan, the Balochistan province as well as some areas in the Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in Pakistan) and the state of liberalism within Baloch organisations.

Spanning 104 pages, the book centres around unity in Baloch organisations and parties pursuing the Baloch nationalist cause. In the initial chapters, Surat Khan Marri and Khadim Lehri interview Nawab Marri. The conversation focuses extensively on the imperative of unity amid the prevailing circumstances. Emphasising this crucial objective, the interviewers and Nawab Marri underscore the necessity for a robust political party or central organisation. Such an entity, they argue can serve as a unifying force, bringing all Baloch parties and organisations to a common platform. They also discuss the role of the intelligentsia in uniting people and advancing the nationalist cause.

Further into the book, Marri discusses the vision articulated by Nawab Akbar Bugti who advocated for a collaborative Baloch alliance.

The interview with Nawab Marri was apparently recorded after Bugti’s demise. Nawab Marri emphasises the imperative of incorporating the intelligentsia, among other strategies, to articulate the way forward. He warns that a movement, devoid of concerted intellectual effort, might succeed, but the success would not be enduring.

The conversation focuses extensively on the imperative of unity amid the prevailing circumstances. Emphasising this crucial objective, the interviewers and Nawab Marri underscore the necessity for a robust political party or central organisation. 

Nawab Marri and Surat Khan also raise the question: who are the intellectuals likely to guide and lead the people? Given that Nawab Marri passed away in 2014 and Surat Khan Marri has not been keeping good health, it is a pressing challenge. If no significant intellectual emerges, who will take the lead? Will it be a political party?

The author moots a proposal for an all-encompassing Baloch alliance, including representatives from various professions: Baloch lawyers, Baloch journalists and Baloch individuals in the diaspora, Baloch representatives living under Iranian and Afghan administrations and student organisations.

Akbar Bugti is criticised for failing to align with a potential Baloch alliance. The writer recalls that while most Baloch leaders had supported Sheikh Mujeeb-ur Rehman, Bugti had kept aloof. He mentions some of Bugti’s detractors as arguing that his efforts in 2006-7 were motivated by narrow personal interests. Others assert that regardless of his conduct early on Bugti’s efforts to establish a Baloch alliance were altruistic and primarily in the interest of all Baloch people. While they acknowledge the spontaneous nature of his role, they emphasise that national movements always blend spontaneity with deliberate efforts.

Surat Khan Marri’s concise work, featuring interviews, drafts and speeches, provides as an insightful guide to the essential elements of Baloch nationalism. Throughout this compilation, he raises questions that prompt Nawab Marri to elucidate various aspects of the cause and outline various means to carry the struggle forward. There are some typos in the book, however, the content is worth reading.

Ankahi

Author: Surat Khan Marri

Pages: 104

The reviewer is a student of law. He can be reached at alijanmaqsood17@gmail.com. He tweets at @Alijanmaqsood12