History repeats itself. The most popular and powerful Sardar, Nawab Akbar Bugti, was killed due to several charges by the establishment. One of the most serious charges against Akbar Khan Bugti was that he did not want to serve his nation, but rather prioritize his tribe and maintain his tribal kingdom. They killed and finished the kingdom of Nawab Bugti, along with tribalism in Dera Bugti.
From 2006 till 29th December 2025, their propaganda against tribalism was at its peak, and several times they charged Balochs for their underdevelopment and poverty to their Sardars, trying to vanish their Sardars. But the narrative took a surprising turn when the incumbent CM of Balochistan, who has purely democratic thoughts and background, merged into the same tribalism and became the chief of the Bugti tribe. This move has sparked debate, with some questioning the authenticity of his intentions and others seeing it as a pragmatic step towards bridging the gap between traditional and modern governance.
Objections are being justified by patriots on the newly selected chief of the tribe, and sweets are being distributed amongst the patriotic sects just because of his tribe leadership. If we go back in history, we see the then popular Nawab welcoming the founder of Pakistan, Qaid-e-Azam, at the railway station in Quetta. It raises questions about the cyclical nature of power dynamics and whether true change can be achieved through embracing the very systems being criticized.
History reveals that Nawab Akbar Bugti always tried to bridge among the Baloch nation and state’s institutions and he was killed just for being a Chieftain of his tribe and enjoyed his tribal leadership. The tussles between the father of current CM of Balochistan and Nawab Akbar Bugti were on the point to demolish the tribalism and raised his voice against Nawab Akbar Bugti’s status as Chieftain. In simple words, the father of the current CM of Balochistan was a rebel before Nawab Bugti as not to adopt and follow the principles of Bugti tribes and codes of the Baloch nation.
The narrative which became reasons for murder of Nawab Bugti ends on 29th December 2025 with the newly selected chief of the Bugti tribe when the traditional Balochi turban was being tied on the head of the current CM of Balochistan. The long lasting narrative which was nurtured with the blood of uncountable Bugtis was buried on 29th December 2025 at the same place where it was born by spreading egoism theory and policies of Musharraf; the then dictator.
After the passing of nineteen years, the same story begins with the same narrative and no one knows that when and where it will end; will the newly selected chief of the Bugti tribe always remain reliable for the state or the history once again will repeat itself. Let the history create itself once again.
The Author is a Practicing lawyer at High Court Balochistan
