Musharraf is 'butcher of Balochistan': Baloch activist

Geneva [Switzerland], Aug 19 (ANI): Baloch Republican Party activist Abdul Bugti has branded Pakistan's former military dictator Pervez Musharraf as the 'butcher' of Balochistan, who killed thousands of civilians during his rule including Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

"We want to make it clear that Musharraf is not a peace maker or messenger of peace , he is an ex brutal dictator, butcher of Balochistan, who killed thousands of civilians during his military dictatorship including father of nation shaheed Nawas Akbar Khan Bugti, who was assassinated by Pakistan army in military operation on 26 of august, 2006," Bugti said.

He also alleged that Musharraf has no regrets and remorse of what he did to the Baloch people.

Bugti said Baloch people staged a protest over extending invite to Musharraf as a speaker at the 'Dialogue for Peace' event organised by Nobel Peace Center in Oslo.

He added that the Baloch activists also recorded their protest with the Nobel Peace Centre which then explained that the event was not organised by them but by a Pakistani NGO, which had invited Musharraf.

Earlier, Musharraf was heckled by Baloch activists at the 'Dialogue for Peace' event organised by Nobel Peace Center in Oslo.

The event was cancelled midway after the Baloch activists staged a protest over extending invite to Musharraf as a speaker.

The Baloch activists labelled Musharraf as 'Butcher of Balochistan' and 'Butcher of Baloch' during the event.

Baloch Republican Party spokesman Sher Mohammad Bugti tweeted after the event was cancelled, "More Nobel Peace Center cancels the event midway when Baloch activists protested against Musharraf being invited as a speaker. Well done."

In a series of tweets, Baloch leader Brahumdagh Bugti, the founder and leader (in exile) of the Baloch Republican Party, also raised an objection to extending an invitation to former military dictator Musharraf to participate in a talk on peace.

Bugti tweeted, "We strongly protest inviting military dictator Musharraf for talking on peace. He is a war criminal not a peacemaker.

In another tweet,Bugti mentioned,"Musharraf has been invited by the organisation Dialogue for peace, who hosted tonights event. Our museum is open for all visitors."

On Twitter, Bugti requested Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg to cancel the meeting with "a war criminal and a court absconder," Musharraf.

"We request PM @erna_solberg to cancel meeting with Musharraf, a war criminal, ex-dictator & court absconder on murder case of my grandfather," Bugti tweeted.

The Balochistan Republican Party leader also accused Musharraf of killing his grandfather Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in a military raid on 26 August 2006.

"Musharraf killed my grandfather & 1000s of Baloch civilians. Ask people of #Balochistan about his contribution for 'peace,' "he tweeted.

Musharraf has been facing a slew of cases, including the high treason trial since 2013 and he was barred from leaving the country in 2014 by the government.

Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, deposing the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.The Balochistan High Court in November 2016 had issued a bailable arrest warrant against former Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf in connection with the murder of former Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in a military operation in 2006.(ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI