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HRCP fact-finding missions’ report 9
Sui and Dera Bugti from January 8 th to 10 th , 2006. Official statistics and documents as well as verified newspaper
reports are also used in the report.
Asma Jahangir, chairperson HRCP, Mr. Afrasiab Khattak former Chairperson and senior leader of
HRCP, Dr. Mubashir Hasan were members of the team visiting Quetta and Sibi. They were assisted in this
mission by members of HRCP in Balochistan. Vice Chairperson Mr. Zahoor Ahmed Shahwani and former
chairperson of HRCP Mr. Tahir Mohammad Khan gave invaluable insights. The logistic arrangements organized
by the Balochistan chapter of HRCP in difficult circumstances made the mission possible.
The mission to Sui and Dera Bugti was carried out by Asma Jahangir, chairperson HRCP, Mr. Afrasiab
Khattak former chairperson, vice chairperson, Mr. Zahoor Ahmed Shahwani and Mr. Zainuddin, member
HRCP. A number of journalists accompanied the mission.
The mission to Quetta also went to Sibi, Talli and drove beyond Talli in the direction of Kahan, but
returned some 20 kilometres short of Navand.
They were able to meet a large number of political leaders and activists, NGOs, members of the press,
lawyers, leaders of various tribes in Balochistan, victims and their families and local people in Quetta as well as
during their travel. They also met with Major Zafar and Major Bangash of the Frontier Corps. The mission was
able to exchange information and views with other personnel of the Frontier Corp, the military and government
officials working at the District Hospital Sibi. In Quetta, Colonel Naeem, met a member of the team and gave
some valuable information.
The team did not attempt to seek appointments with any senior government official in Quetta because
of the short time at their disposal.
The team was able to clarify some facts through telephonic interviews with those who were either not
reachable or not available because of security and safety concerns. They were also able to meet with some
women who testified to the violence they experienced or saw being carried out in Dera Bugti on 17 ,h March
2005.
As usual, the mission was impressed by the courtesy and hospitality offered to them by the people.
HRCP would like to thank the officials they met for the cooperation and courtesy they extended to the mission.
Members of the mission were particularly struck by the remarkable clarity with which the press briefed them in
Quetta. At the same time they remained disturbed by the first hand accounts of torture they heard from victims.
Further reports of bombings and rocket attacks on Sui and Dera Bugti prompted the next mission. The
government denied that there was army action or an operation in the area, while the Bugtis claimed heavy use
of military force. According to the government they were engaged in dealing with a “law and order” crisis
created by some “miscreants”. The Governor of Balochistan denied that the area was made inaccessible and
extended an invitation to human rights bodies as well as to the press to visit it. As such the authorities were
notified of the mission through the media and Mr. Mushahid Hussain, secretary-general of the ruling Pakistan
Muslim League (PML).
During the mission the team visited Sui and Dera Bugti. They met with a large number of locals and
officials. They included Mr. Abdul Samad Lasi, the District Coordination Officer (DCO) of Dera Bugti and the
Commandant Bambore Rifles, Dera Bugti, Lt. Colonel Fooqan. The team also had the privilege of a briefing
from the Inspector General of the Frontier Corps, Shujat Zameer Dar on the telephone. The team met with
Nawab Akbar Bugti, the Sardar 1 of the Bugti tribe. The Nawab had moved from his house in Dera Bugti and)
relocated himself elsewhere-at an undisclosed location after escalation of violence on December 30 th , 2005.